SAUDI DEPUTY FM ON LEBANON, SYRIA, AND MORE

S E C R E T RIYADH 001076 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV UNGA KTFN WE GZ XF SA LE SY SUBJECT: SAUDI DEPUTY FM ON LEBANON, SYRIA, AND MORE REF: RIYADH 01070 Classified By: CDA Ambassador Richard Erdman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d ) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: During an August 16 meeting with Charge on Afghanistan (reftel),Deputy Foreign Minister for Bilateral Affairs Khalid Al-Jindan acknowledged the need to do more to stop terrorist financing; was hopeful about Lebanese government formation; expressed his disappointment with Palestinian disunity; cautioned against an oversimplified approach to Hamas; and mentioned his plans to attend UNGA. Highlights follow. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (S) TERRORIST FINANCE: Charge flagged U.S. concerns that despite joint U.S.-Saudi efforts, there was evidence that the Kingdom continued to be a source of terrorist financing, especially for the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Saudis are "adamantly against this," Jindan responded, adding that banks were now obligated to follow strict regulations aimed at its prevention. Charge said we appreciated Saudi cooperation, but that we both needed to do more. Part of the challenge we faced was that with so many Pakistanis working in the Kingdom (some 800,000),or coming for the Hajj, it was possible money was leaving in relatively small amounts that were difficult to trace. This was a source of concern in Washington. "We are doing what we can, but there is always a need to do more," Jindan agreed, adding the Saudis could keep their "eyes open more." ¶3. (C) LEBANON AND SYRIA: Jindan reaffirmed the Saudi government's support for PM-designate Hariri and hopes the Lebanese government formation process could be concluded soon. Hariri would be able to overcome difficulties, he hoped, citing Jumblatt's recent about-face as evidence that Hariri would eventually succeed. He said Syria's behavior was "better than before," and attributed the outcome of the elections to minimal Syrian interference. (Jindan's assessment was subsequently reinforced by a Saudi government statement following the August 17 Council of Ministers meeting, expressing confidence that Lebanese groups would be able to overcome the obstacles facing the formation of a national unity government.) Charge reiterated the importance of delaying any visit to Damascus until after the Lebanese government was formed and confirmed in a vote of confidence. Jindan agreed, adding that the Saudis would continue their "piecemeal" approach to Syria, rewarding concrete Syrian gestures with an appropriate Saudi response. ¶4. (C) FATAH AND THE PA: Jindan said the Saudis remained "unhappy" that the Gaza Palestinians were absent from the Fatah conference, adding that all "important elements" should have a voice in the Palestinian political debate. He cited the election of new Fatah leadership as a "positive step" which could help encourage reconciliation. When asked whether Abu Mazen was stronger after the conference, he replied, "We must wait and see," adding that Fatah "needed change" and had to reduce internal corruption. Charge mentioned progress Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad had made towards improving the PA's transparency and expressed USG appreciation for the Saudi government's recent $200 million contribution to the PA budget. Jindan's statements were echoed a day later by the Council of Ministers in their official statement, which urged feuding Palestinian factions to "quickly settle their differences" and "understand the danger posed by their disunity." ¶5. (C) HAMAS: As he has in the past, Jindan cautioned about the dangers of treating Hamas as a homogeneous entity. In fact, there were two major political currents within the movement: a nationalist current, consisting of many moderates who might be willing to compromise, and ideologues influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood, with whom compromise was impossible. Asked to place Khalid Meshaal on this continuum, he said Meshaal was "more of an ideologue," but he was not a true radical and "should not be ruled out." Meshaal used ideological language to serve political goals, and therefore might be willing to compromise on some issues. ¶6. (C) UNGA ATTENDANCE: Jindan mentioned he would be in New York from September 22-October 2 as part of the Kingdom's UNGA delegation, which FM Prince Saud al-Faisal is expected to head. ERDMAN