GEN PETRAEUS IN SAUDI

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 RIYADH 001699 SIPDIS WHITE HOUSE FOR OVP, CENTCOM FOR POLAD, NAVCENT AND J5, DOE FOR KKOLEVAR AND WBRYAN, DEPARTMENT FOR P SMULL, NEA GCRETZ AND ASTEINFELD, AND S/CT E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2018 TAGS: AG ECON ENRG EPET IR IZ MARR MCAP MOPS OVP PGOV, PK, PREL, PTER, SA, SY, YM SUBJECT: GEN PETRAEUS IN SAUDI REF: RIYADH 1692 Classified By: Charge' d'Affaires Sandra Muench for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (S) SUMMARY. CENTCOM CG GEN Petraeus met with Saudi Crown Prince and Minister of Defense and Aviation Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Interior Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Asst. Minister of Defense and Aviation Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al Abdulaziz (KBS) to discuss regional issues. Topics included progress in Iraq, stability in South Asia, Saudi detainees in Iraq, Yemeni instability, Iranian threat and protection of Saudi critical infrastructure. Atmospherics were warm and highly positive. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (S) In his first visit as CENTCOM CG to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, GEN David Petraeus, accompanied by the Ambassador, DOE A/S Kevin Kolevar, and CENTCOM senior staff, was warmly received by senior Saudi royals on Nov. 8 as they discussed a wide range of security and regional issues. GEN Petraeus met with Crown Prince and Minister of Defense and Aviation Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Interior Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Asst. Minister of Defense and Aviation Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al Abdulaziz (KBS). Topics included progress in Iraq, Saudi detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan/Pakistan, Yemeni instability, Iranian threat and protection of Saudi critical infrastructure. -------------- Prince Khalid bin Sultan -------------- ¶3. (S) During his meeting with KBS, GEN Petraeus provided updates on Iraq, Iran and Pakistan that were subsequently covered with the Crown Prince. -------------- Crown Prince -------------- ¶4. (S) In his meeting with Crown Prince Sultan, GEN Petraeus reviewed the significant progress achieved in Iraq and an update on events in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Crown Prince, while amicable, appeared frail and somewhat disengaged from the conversation. While the Crown Prince was able to voice congratulations for success in Iraq, he had trouble speaking and often responded with just a smile. As a sign of a softening in the Kingdom's view of the Iraqi Prime Minister, the Crown Prince characterized Nuri al-Maliki as a "wise man.8 The Crown Prince also spoke about &when8 rather than "if8 the Kingdom will send its ambassador to Baghdad. -------------- Minister of Interior - Iraq/Iran -------------- ¶5. (S) Prince Naif, while also frail-looking, was quite animated and was highly engaged in his 90 minute meeting with GEN Petraeus. After congratulations by the Prince for the U.S. Presidential election, GEN Petraeus began with a review of the progress in Iraq. Prince Naif concurred that security had greatly improved in Iraq, but cautioned the U.S. should not withdraw "too early" from Iraq. If the U.S. withdrew prematurely, it would allow both Iran and Syria to establish greater influence in Iraq, which would be highly RIYADH 00001699 002 OF 003 destabilizing. Prince Naif asserted Iran was a "gateway for terrorists and drugs." He advised the U.S. must keep a committed presence in Iraq in order for it not to disintegrate. Prince Naif added Saudi Arabia's outreach and overtures to Iran had not met with success. ¶6. (S) GEN Petraeus observed that expanded Arab influence was the best way to counter Persian influence in Iraq. Prince Naif agreed. However, as the discussion moved to Saudi Arabia re-opening its Embassy in Baghdad, Prince Naif countered that security did not yet permit the Kingdom to send its Ambassador back to Iraq. ¶7. (S) Prince Naif then expounded at length about Saudi detainees held in Iraq. He commented he had achieved progress on this issue with Iraqi National Security Advisor Mowaffaq Rubaie, but urged for continued U.S. efforts to return all Saudi detainees in Iraq back to the Kingdom. -------------- Minister of Interior ) Yemen -------------- ¶8. (S) Regarding Yemen, Prince Naif emphasized this nation must be viewed through a tribal prism. He stated the central government there was "in trouble" with limited capacity, bemoaning that there is much smuggling of weapons, drugs and illegal aliens into Saudi Arabia through Yemen's porous and mostly ungoverned border. GEN Petraeus concurred with Yemen's unstable state, offering that Yemen needs both Saudi Arabian and U.S. assistance if it's security is not to further decay. Naif responded the Kingdom was indeed providing assistance and would continue to do so to not only assist Yemen, but also to counter Iranian influence. -------------- Saudi Internal Security -------------- ¶9. (S) GEN Petraeus congratulated MOI for its own success in countering the internal threat from Al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia. He emphasized how successful the Saudi rehabilitation program has been and how it should become a model for other nations to handle extremist detainees. ¶10. (S) Turning to the protection of critical infrastructure, GEN Petraeus pointed out how CENTCOM and DOE were working together to support the Kingdom as it enhances the defenses of its energy production facilities. He noted this teamwork by pointing out that A/S Kolevar was a member of his delegation. Prince Naif fully acknowledged the threats against Saudi infrastructure and was grateful to USG assistance. It was noted that contractors would be needed to supplement the USG staff working Saudi critical infrastructure protection and the benefits that would accrue from using U.S. companies for this project. Prince Naif acknowledged the high quality of U.S. companies but indicated price will be a major factor by the SAG in which contractors they utilize. ¶11. (S) COMMENT. Due to King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud traveling to the U.S. at the same GEN Petraeus traveled to the Kingdom, he unfortunately missed his primary interlocutors - the King, Intelligence Directorate Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Asst. Minister for National Security Affairs Prince Mohammed bin Naif (MBN). Still, the Saudis provided the best engagement available. They have RIYADH 00001699 003 OF 003 voiced before their concerns over Iran, Yemen and Syria, as well as their acknowledgment of progress in Iraq, but reluctance to send an Ambassador there. The Crown Prince's apparent declining health is noteworthy. ¶12. (S) Prince Naif reiterated the SAG's commitment to partnering with us to protect their critical infrastructure. We have noted before MOI's limited capacity in this project despite their sense of urgency (Reftel). Nonetheless, progress is being achieved. Of note was Prince Naif's cautionary comment that the price of contractors, not just U.S. nationality, will be a factor in the selection process of companies to work the protection of the Kingdom's critical infrastructure. END COMMENT. ¶13. (U) GEN Petraeus has cleared this cable. MUENCH