LEBANON TRIBUNAL: SAUDI ARABIA WILL DONATE, LOOKS

S E C R E T RIYADH 000154

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM EFIN EINV LE SY SA
SUBJECT: LEBANON TRIBUNAL: SAUDI ARABIA WILL DONATE, LOOKS
FOR INFORMATION

REF: A. STATE10786


B. RIYADH 00141

Classified By: CDA Michael Gfoeller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (S) Charge d'Affaires Gfoeller met with Prince Dr. Turki
bin Mohammed, Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the
Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on February 4 and
presented demarche points per REFTEL A; he also carefully
read Secretary Rice's note verbale to the Undersecretary.
The Saudis indicated that they will contribute funds to the
Special Tribunal for Lebanon. The Prince also presented a
course of action to coopt Syrian influence in the region.

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Funding the Tribunal
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2. (S) Prince Turki said that "We will contribute for sure"
to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, but also requested from
Washington information on the size of pledges committed by
the GCC states, the European Union, and Japan.

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What Lebanon Really Needs
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3. (S) Describing the political state of Lebanon as
"critical," Prince Turki said that what Lebanon really needs
is support on three levels: political, economic, and
military. He stated that SAUDI ARABIA can provide the
political support and finance the economic support to the
Lebanese government, but that only the West, led by the U.S.,
can provided adequate military support. Supporting the
legitimate Lebanese government will weaken the opposition's
strength and appeal, he added.

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Syria's Role in the Region
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4. (S) Prince Turki said that there are three key
requirements to lessening Syria's disruptive influence and
its orientation toward Iran. The first is financial support.
That, he assured, SAUDI ARABIA would be able to offer. The
second is a soft touch on the Special Tribunal. Prince Torki
implied that exhaustive investigation into all ranks of the
Syrian government will have negative consequences. The third
requirement is enhanced engagement on the Golan Heights.
Prince Turki identified this as the last significant
outstanding border dispute between Israel and her neighbors,
but one that has been largely ignored. Barring these
concessions, "Syria will fall further into Iran's embrace,"
claimed the Prince. Conversely, if Damascus can be wooed
away from Tehran, Iranian support for Hizballah will wither
and the chances for a peaceful resolution of the Lebanese
situation will grow, he asserted.
GFOELLER