Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RIYADH2260
2007-11-13 13:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:  

SAG SAYS STOP IRAN FROM GETTING NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Tags:  PGOV PREL PINR SA 
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VZCZCXRO4765
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK
DE RUEHRH #2260/01 3171338
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 131338Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6953
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH PRIORITY 9198
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 002260 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SA
SUBJECT: SAG SAYS STOP IRAN FROM GETTING NUCLEAR WEAPONS
THEN NO NEED FOR MORE DISCUSSIONS

Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission David Rundell for reasons
1.4(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 002260

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SA
SUBJECT: SAG SAYS STOP IRAN FROM GETTING NUCLEAR WEAPONS
THEN NO NEED FOR MORE DISCUSSIONS

Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission David Rundell for reasons
1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: During his late October 2007 visit to
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Staffer Bradley Bowman met with MFA,s HRH Prince Turki bin
Faisal, Head of the Political Affairs section on October 28.
The discussion focused on Iranian nuclear issues. During the
meeting, Prince Turki emphatically assured Bowman that Saudi
Arabia actively supports the Middle East as a "free zone of
weapons of mass destruction." The Prince also noted that
though the SAG supports any nation's right to pursue a
peaceful nuclear energy program, members of the SAG strongly
oppose Iranian possession of nuclear weapons. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) During his visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Senate
Foreign Relations Committee Staffer Bradley Bowman met with
MFA's Prince Turki bin Faisal, Head of the Political Affairs
section. The discussion focused on Iran,s nuclear program
and Prince Turki expressed his concerns regarding two primary
issues: (1) What Iran is doing with their nuclear program and
what can be done about it; and (2) If an attack on Iran was
the only remaining course of action to stop their nuclear
weapon development, how would Saudi Arabia respond?


3. (C) Prince Turki opened the discussion with a pledge
that Saudi Arabia's primary interest is to promote the Middle
East as a "free zone of weapons of mass destruction." He
acknowledged that Israel's tacit possession of nuclear
weapons lent credibility to Iran's alleged efforts to obtain
nuclear arms, but noted that the ramifications of Iran
becoming a nuclear power would far outweigh the regional
security benefits. Specifically, Prince Turki highlighted
the wide-spread environmental damage that could occur
throughout the region if there was a leak in any one of
Iran's nuclear reactors. He noted that if a leak occurred,
the water supply for the entire Gulf would be contaminated.
Environmental concerns aside, Prince Turki also emphasized
the inevitable arms race that would follow; if Iran possessed

nuclear weapons, other countries in the region, including
Turkey and Egypt, would likely accelerate their efforts to
secure similar capabilities. Prince Turki also assured
Bowman that despite the nuclear status of any of its
neighbors, Saudi Arabia has no interest in or plan to become
a nuclear power.


4. (C) Turning his focus to leadership in Iran and Iranian
motivations for attempting to secure nuclear capabilities,
Prince Turki acknowledged the difficulties of understanding
true Iranian ambitions, commenting that the present
leadership is "confusing." As Iran's nuclear program is
long-standing, however, he noted that though Saudi Arabia
supports any nation's right to pursue a peaceful nuclear
energy program, the Kingdom strongly opposes Iranian
possession of nuclear weapons. Prince Turki believed that
the effects of the shift of power to Iran could foster
additional instability in the region. To this end, Prince
Turki explained that short of war, the SAG will do anything
possible to stop Iran from acquiring such weapons. He noted
that an attack on Iran would have "catastrophic" results for
the U.S. and should be avoided at all costs.


5. (C) As a proposed alternate course of action, Prince
Turki emphasized the need for normalization of diplomatic
relations between the U.S. and Iran; he strongly believed
that Iran's main intent in becoming a nuclear power was to
command attention and respect in the region. Specifically,
Prince Turki thought that Iran should be included in
discussions about regional issues such as Iraq and Lebanon.
Prince Turki noted, "Iran will not use the weapon. Rather,
the weapon will be used to make the world include them, to
take them into consideration in global decisions." Prince
Turki highlighted that with a nuclear weapon in their
possession, Iran cannot be ignored. Prince Turki concluded
by advising that the U.S. should not waste time thinking
about what would happen "if." The U.S. needs to take action
to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power; Iran must be
provided a seat at the proverbial table.


6. (C) COMMENT: Prince Turki,s message was one of both
support and warning to the U.S. Specifically, Prince Turki
clearly stated that though Saudi Arabia has no interest in
pursuing a nuclear program, the SAG believes that Iran is
refining their nuclear capabilities and could soon possess
nuclear weapons. He was also clearly focused on expressing
his beliefs on the ulterior motives of the leaders in Iran.
That said, it was apparent that Prince Turki believes that
Iran poses no threat to the U.S., Israel and other countries
in the region. Nevertheless, the SAG believes the U.S. must
act to prevent Iran from using their nuclear resources for

RIYADH 00002260 002 OF 002


anything other than peaceful means. According to Prince
Turki, the best way to soothe Iran is to invite them to
participate in discussions about regional issues such as the
war in Iraq and the situation in Lebanon. The SAG believes
that this simple course of action will likely prevent Iran
from pursuing nuclear weapons and will possibly end the need
for additional discussions on the issue. END COMMENT
FRAKER