U.S. Foreign Policy Heavy Hitters: Mead and Telhami in

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 000717 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/PPD (DBENZE, PAGNEW),NEA/ARP, R, IIP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPAO KDEM PGOV SA SUBJECT: U.S. Foreign Policy Heavy Hitters: Mead and Telhami in Saudi Arabia ¶1. Summary: Two first-rate U.S. foreign policy experts gave their views on U.S. policy from historical, contemporary, and forward-looking perspectives with eager-to-engage elite Saudi interlocutors. Both proved to be highly capable advocates for U.S. perspectives on foreign policy, Middle East policy, and election year dynamics with academics and high level contacts. Saudis particularly valued the opportunity to discuss the issues with non-governmental practitioners. Generous media coverage indicated a broad interest in the Speakers' discussions. Constant engagement of elites with renowned Speakers ensures informed, ongoing dialogue with key decision makers actively developing civil society reforms. End summary. Engaging elites: Delivering brand-name Speakers -------------- ¶2. Saudi contacts curious for an independent insider's view of Washington enthusiastically received U.S. Speakers Walter Russell Mead and Shibley Telhami during separate, recent trips to the Kingdom. Interlocutors were most interested in Washington developments and next steps, especially because of the timing of the Speaker programs. Mead's January 18-24 visit immediately followed President Bush's January 14-16 stay in Saudi Arabia. Dr. Telhami's March 14-21 visit immediately preceded Vice President Cheney's March 21-22 trip. The contacts Mead and Telhami engaged, who wield considerable influence in both governmental and non-governmental capacities, expressed curiosity and apprehension on U.S. intentions in the Middle East. Contacts sought analysis on the current administration's activities in its final months, and what the next steps might be for a future administration. Our interlocutors indicated they are closely following the heavy primary campaigning in the U.S., and were appreciative of thoughtful exchanges on campaign-related topics. ¶3. The Public Affairs Section programmed both Mead and Telhami with institutions well known to the mission. Both Mead and Telhami presented discussions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Institute of Diplomatic Studies, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Shoura (consultative) Council, and at the prestigious "Al-Makkiah" intellectual salon in Jeddah, hosted by a world-renowned Islamic scholar and architect. Both had private meetings with Sheikh Abdullah Alireza, former Minister of State and current Minister of Commerce. Mead met with Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue leadership, while Telhami met with officials at the Jeddah-based Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Representational events in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran facilitated engagement in more relaxed settings. ¶4. For these two Speaker programs, the repetition in audiences was deliberate. Our influential elite contacts want to regularly engage on political themes with known academics at their level. Mead and Telhami, both brand-name Council on Foreign Relations members, capably delivered. Comment: By encouraging this level of dialogue, we are also supporting the national dialogue and reform activities many of these contacts are actively pursuing. End comment. Engaging in Arabic: Telhami takes mutual understanding to the next level -------------- ¶3. While both Speakers captivated their audiences, Dr. Telhami's ability to engage in Arabic on an elite level brought down the guard of our Saudi interlocutors. Conversant in the broad range of foreign policy discussion points, Telhami's current research on U.S. perceptions of the Middle East proved the most interesting topic. At an animated discussion with the Saudi Association for Media and Communication, a salon of King Saud and Imam Mohammed Islamic University professors, Telhami and the professors present agreed to collaborate on polling research. (Note: This group skirts bureaucratic regulations and meets as a "salon" to engage in off-campus scholarly collaboration with external groups. End note.) For the first time at the MFA's Institute of Diplomatic Studies, master's students were included in the discussion. In a standing room-only session at the "Al-Makkiah" salon in Jeddah, guests continued to arrive in response to calls and text-messages from invitees already in place who advertised the presence of an American speaker addressing the audience in Arabic. Even Riyadh's guarded Shoura Council members loosened up in Arabic. Media coverage takes the salon discussions to the masses -------------- ¶4. Mead and Telhami media coverage included some thoughtful, in-depth pieces in addition to factual reporting on their visits. Mead's engagement following President Bush's first Middle East trip generated headlines, including from an extensive interview in the Eastern Province's Al-Youm newspaper. Press roundtables held in Jeddah with each speaker were extensively covered. Mead's comments on the Middle East Peace Process and the U.S. desire to improve RIYADH 00000717 002 OF 002 relations with Saudi Arabia and the Middle East were reported in most major papers, as were Telhami's comments on media, public opinion and Arab identity. Telhami's Arabic also inspired journalists. Al-Jazira, a leading high-circulation daily, published a comprehensive full-page interview outlining Telhami's thoughts on prospects of Middle East Peace during the remainder of the Bush administration and his work in advising future U.S. leadership. Politically and socially conservative Al-Madina featured Telhami's "Al-Makkiah" salon discussion in a lengthy report on its weekly Islamic issues section "Al-Risala" ("The Message"). ¶5. Comment: Saudi interlocutors appreciate independent, brand name experts and their access as 'observer' elites to Washington decision makers. Even with U.S. educated interlocutors who know us well, we see value added in continually ensuring any gaps are bridged. These programs enhance our cultivation of Saudi decision-maker contacts and encourage informed dialogue, which reaches the broader society thanks to good media coverage. It is this dialogue that reinforces local civil society development efforts, and encourages political and social discourse. End comment. GFOELLER