Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RIYADH1648
2008-11-03 07:09:00
SECRET
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:  

SAG FORMALLY REQUESTS OPM-FSF

Tags:  ECON ENRG EPET MARR MCAP MOPS OVP PGOV PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
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S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 001648 

SIPDIS

WHITE HOUSE FOR OVP, CENTCOM FOR POLAD, NAVCENT AND J5, DOE
FOR KKOLEVAR AND WBRYAN, DEPARTMENT FOR P SMULL, NEA
GCRETZ, S/CT AND NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2018
TAGS: ECON ENRG EPET MARR MCAP MOPS OVP PGOV PREL
PTER, SA
SUBJECT: SAG FORMALLY REQUESTS OPM-FSF

REF: A. RIYADH 1619

B. RIYADH 1579

C. RIYADH 1408

D. RIYADH 1298

Classified By: Charge' d'Affaires David Rundell
for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 001648

SIPDIS

WHITE HOUSE FOR OVP, CENTCOM FOR POLAD, NAVCENT AND J5, DOE
FOR KKOLEVAR AND WBRYAN, DEPARTMENT FOR P SMULL, NEA
GCRETZ, S/CT AND NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2018
TAGS: ECON ENRG EPET MARR MCAP MOPS OVP PGOV PREL
PTER, SA
SUBJECT: SAG FORMALLY REQUESTS OPM-FSF

REF: A. RIYADH 1619

B. RIYADH 1579

C. RIYADH 1408

D. RIYADH 1298

Classified By: Charge' d'Affaires David Rundell
for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (S) On Nov. 1, the Saudi Ministry of Interior presented to
AmEmbassy Riyadh a formal Letter of Request (LOR) addressed
to U.S. Central Command requesting the USG the establish the
Office of Program Management - Facilities Security Force
(OPM-FSF) to train and equip Saudi forces to protect Saudi
Arabian critical infrastructure, with priority given to the
Kingdom's energy production facilities (Reftels). Text of
this LOR is in paragraph 5.


2. (S) This LOR is for support to establish OPM-FSF. The
next step will be the USG's response via a Letter of Offer
and Acceptance (LOA) by the Defense Security Cooperation
Agency. This LOA is expected to be ready for delivery to the
SAG by mid-December. The next Saudi step is a more
substantive LOR requesting training assessments once OPM-FSF
is staffed.


3. (S) COMMENT. This LOR is significant. It formally
establishes the SAG's commitment to bringing in the USG to
protect Saudi Arabia's critical infrastructure. This LOR
combined with the MOI's recent agreement for the Department
of Energy to conduct additional vulnerability assessments
(Reftel A) has created strong momentum for Joint Commission
on Critical Infrastructure Protection and Border Security
(JCCIP).


4. (S) The Saudis have told us they are looking forward to
U/S Burns' visit to the Kingdom in mid-December to co-chair
the JCCIP meeting. If possible, this JCCIP meeting would be
an excellent venue for us to present the LOA responding to
the Saudi LOR. END COMMENT.


5. (SBU) Text of LOR submitted by Saudi MOI:

BEGIN TEXT

Date: 1 November 2008

MEMORANDUM FOR Commander, United States Central Command

SUBJECT: Establishing an Office of Program Management -
Facilities Security Force


1. Under the provisions of the Armed Export Control Act, we
request your assistance to initiate a Foreign Military Sales
case to establish an Office of Program Management (OPM) to
facilitate the development of a Facility Security Force (FSF)
with paramilitary capability, whose mission is to protect our
nation's critical infrastructure.


2. I request that this case be developed to pay personnel and
support costs for the OPM. The personnel costs should
provide for up to 20 personnel over the period of 3-5 years.
Support to the OPM should include (but not be limited to)
housing, vehicles, travel, office equipment, communications,
and all necessary administrative support and quality of life
programs.


3. It is my intent that the OPM-FSF should be established and

RIYADH 00001648 002 OF 002


conducting initial operations at the earliest possible time
from an office complex provided by my ministry and located in
the Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.


4. Please provide me with a LOA for review and signature at
your earliest possible opportunity.


Assistant Minister for Security Affairs

(SIGNATURE)

Mohammed
bin Naif

END TEXT
RUNDELL