SAUDI LEADERSHIP ON PEACE CONFERENCE -- FAILURE IS

S E C R E T RIYADH 002182 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT PLEASE PASS TO RJACHIM/SRAMESH E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2027 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR IS SA SUBJECT: SAUDI LEADERSHIP ON PEACE CONFERENCE -- FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION Classified By: Ambassador Ford Fraker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) The Ambassador met with Saudi Foreign Minister (FM) Prince Saud Al Faisal on the margins of First Lady Laura Bush's October 23 meeting with King Abdullah. The FM told the Ambassador that the key for ensuring the success of the upcoming peace conference is for the U.S. to pressure the Israelis to address the "important, substantive" issues, as well as to make concessions. ¶2. (S) Al Faisal stated that the U.S. must first insist that the Israelis cease the current "land grabs," which he said are undermining the Palestinians' negotiating position before the parties even get to the table. He commented that, "Only you can make the Israelis do this, " adding that, regarding the conference, failure is "not an option." A failed conference, pointed out Al Faisal, would significantly diminish the power and prestige of the U.S. in the region, thereby endangering U.S. allies here. The FM continued that delaying the conference until there is "a 90 percent chance for success" is preferable to holding it prematurely only to have it fail. ¶3. (S) The First Lady noted to the Ambassador on October 24 that King Abdullah conveyed to her the same message. FRAKER