IRAQI NSA RUBAIE ON RECENT SAUDI VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001006 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/2018 TAGS: IR IZ SA PTER PGOV SUBJECT: IRAQI NSA RUBAIE ON RECENT SAUDI VISIT Classified By: Political-Military Counselor Ambassador Marcie Ries for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In a March 30 meeting with S/I Satterfield and Polmilcouns Ries, National Security Advisor Muwaffaq al-Rubaie said his recent meetings in Saudi Arabia were "very good." During his meetings he outlined common Saudi - Iraqi interests, particularly in combating terror, and told his hosts that Iraq hopes to rejoin the Arab world "through the Saudi door." He outlined a number of joint Saudi - Iraqi initiatives, saying that while his hosts were very receptive to his message, the Saudis still had misgivings over PM Maliki and militia infiltration of the ISF. End Summary. Returning to the Arab fold through the Saudi door -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) During his visit Rubaie met with Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal, Intelligence Chief Prince Migren bin Abdul Aziz and his deputy Abdul Aziz bin Bandar, Interior Minister Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz and his son and counter-terrorism chief, Prince Mohammed bin Naif. In his discussions, Rubaie highlighted common interests and concerns between the KSA and GOI, focusing on security and terrorism issues. He said the KSA and GOI were both threatened by terrorism, and noted the involvement of Saudi nationals in funding and participating in terrorist attacks in Iraq. Rubaie asked for more Saudi cooperation in fighting terrorism, warning that if Iraq's security concerns were not addressed the country could fall under Iranian influence and become a lasting threat to KSA. Putting security into a larger context, Rubaie explained that various forces filled the vacuum following Saddam's overthrow, including the Americans, the Iranians, the Ba'athist insurgency, and al Qaeda. "But where," added Rubaie, "is the Iraqi project? Iraq needs an Iraqi project to stengthen its democratic nature and nationalism through the ballot box." Saudi Arabia, Rubaie concluded, could help this effort: "Iraq has a problem, and we want to return to the Arab fold through the Saudi door." The Saudis, Rubaie said, were especially concerned about militia infiltration within the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). KSA supported the Sahwa movement as an alternative to the Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP),which Saudis considered an ideological kin of the despised Muslim Brotherhood. Joint Saudi - Iraq Counterterror Initiatives -------------- ¶3. (C) During the talks the Iraqi and Saudi teams agreed on several joint initiatives: sharing intelligence on terrorists and terrorist networks; a joint counterterrorism media campaign; establishing secure communications through Iraq's National Operations Center; and building on the KSA-GOI relationship to increase Iraq's cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He said the Saudis appreciated the transfer of six Saudi detainees to Saudi custody, and said that one of the six was immediately rearrested by Saudi authorities when it was discovered he had been using an alias in Iraq. The Saudis also agreed to sign a MOU on counterterrorism between KSA and GOI that would be extended to other neighboring countries (excluding Iran) during a meeting of the "Six Plus Two." The Saudis agreed to progressively include other countries in the MOU, including Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt. At the request of the Saudis Rubaie agreed not to raise the issue during the next Neighbor's Conference. Finally, the Saudis outlined an ambitious humanitarian initiative for Iraq that included aid to hospitals, schools, widows, and orphans as well as employment generation projects. The Saudis envision implementing these projects through the GOI, NGOs, and the Iraq and Saudi chapters of the Red Crescent. Saudi misgivings about PM Maliki -------------- ¶4. (C) Rubaie said his hosts were very receptive to the overall message. Laughing, he attributed some of this success to the fact that besides himself the Iraqi delegation was composed entirely of Sunnis. However, Rubaie said the Saudis would "shy away" whenever Maliki's name was mentioned. Rubaie said Migren complained that "Maliki lied to the king." Rubaie added that he had a "frank" discussion with Saudi officials over Saudi diplomatic presence in Iraq. The Saudis admitted that the obstacles were political and not technical, and said establishing a Saudi embassy in Iraq needed to wait "for a different environment." When Rubaie asked for clarification, the Saudis again mentioned the issue of militia infiltration of the ISF. ¶5. (C) Rubaie briefed the Saudis on GOI-USG negotiations over the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) and Status of BAGHDAD 00001006 002 OF 002 Forces Agreement (SOFA). The Saudis raised no objections and said they supported a U.S. military presence in Iraq until the ISF were self-reliant and the country was free of militia influence. At Rubaie's request the Saudis also agreed to raise their level of representation at the upcoming Friends of Iraq conference to be held in May in Abu Dhabi. ¶6. (U) S/I Satterfield did not have an opportunity to clear on this cable. CROCKER