GCC TO HOLD MINISTERIAL POLICY SESSION ON IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000581 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2017 TAGS: PREL BA IR REGION SUBJECT: GCC TO HOLD MINISTERIAL POLICY SESSION ON IRAN JULY 3-4 Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) . (C) Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa told the Ambassador June 2 that GCC ministers of foreign affairs and defense, along with national security advisors, would meet in Jeddah July 3-4 to develop a "joint vision" on Iran. The suggestion had been raised and agreed upon at the May GCC Consultative meeting. Shaikh Khalid said the UAE and Oman had offered differing proposals for the July session. The UAE suggested that sub-ministerial senior officials from foreign affairs, defense, and national security organizations meet in the lead up to the ministerial session to prepare the ground. Oman said there should be three separate meetings, of foreign ministers, defense ministers, and national security advisors, to develop their own proposals on Iran policy, with heads of state consolidating these positions at the next summit in December. Saudi Arabia offered a compromise that was accepted, that the July 3-4 session debate and decide upon an acceptable approach. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE