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

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SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/PPD (DBENZE, PAGNEW),NEA/ARP, R, IIP

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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
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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
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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
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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

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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