IRAN, YEMEN AND AFGHANISTAN: A/S SHAPIRO’S

S E C R E T RIYADH 001501 STATE POL/MIL AFFAIRS FOR A/S ANDREW SHAPIRO E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2019 TAGS: IR MARR MASS MOPS SA YM SUBJECT: IRAN, YEMEN AND AFGHANISTAN: A/S SHAPIRO’S DISCUSSION WITH DR. PRINCE TURKI, SAUDI MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Classified By: Ambassador James B. Smith for reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (S) Summary: Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro met on October 24 with Dr. Prince Turki bin Saud Al-Kabeer, Under Secretary for Multilateral Affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Smith also attended the meeting. Dr. Prince Turki described Saudi concerns about Iran’s nuclear program and asserted that Iran is providing money and weapons to the Houthis in Yemen while Hezbollah and Hamas have provided training. Yemeni President Saleh needs help from others in order to prevent his country from becoming "another Afghanistan." Regarding Afghanistan, Dr. Turki encouraged the U.S to work with moderate Taliban elements as an approach to weaken Taliban unity. End Summary. Iran: Determined to be a nuclear power -------------- ¶2. (C) A/S Shapiro noted that Iran has given mixed signals whether it will comply with the P5 1 proposal to turn over low-grade Iranian uranium to Russia for further processing. Dr. Turki responded that Iran has always been elusive about negotiating, while continuing to process uranium. "To me, they are determined to be a nuclear power; their problem is how to get there." ¶3. (S) Dr. Turki reported that Saudi Arabia has been trying to persuade the Iranians to spend their resources on the welfare of the Iranian people rather than on the development of a nuclear weapon. While Saudi Arabia would like to see the Gulf region remain free of weapons of mass destruction, Iran is raising anxiety and "creating conditions that others will have to follow." 4 (S) Another thing that we tell our American friends, Dr. Turki emphasized, is that once you start talking to Iran, Saudi Arabia must be part of the process. We should be consulted in advance on proposals to Iran not just so that our national interests are taken into account, but to avoid creating an impression in Iran that Saudi Arabia is not an important U.S. ally. 5 (C) A/S Shapiro pointed out that both the President and Secretary Clinton are on record that a nuclear-armed Iran is not acceptable. The current U.S. proposal is intended to create time for diplomatic initiatives to work. A/S Shapiro assured Dr. Turki that the U.S. is committed to close consultations with Saudi Arabia, and suggested in this regard a U.S.-Saudi dialogue on regional security issues led by Under Secretary Tausher. Dr. Turki welcomed the proposal. Yemen: Saleh needs urgent help -------------- 6 (S) Dr. Turki expressed his government’s deep concern about the deteriorating situation in Yemen. The Iranians, he said, are providing the Houthi with money and weapons. The Saudis have evidence of this: "A few years ago," he said, "the Iranian Ambassador (to Yemen) was arrested while holding money intended for the Houthi." As evidence of Yemeni anger over Iranian meddling, he reported that a recent visit by the Iranian Foreign Minister to Yemen was turned off. Dr. Turki asserted that Iranian support of the Houthi is evident from the weapons the Houthis possess, posing the question, "How did they manage to bring down two Yemeni aircraft?" He said his government believes that Hezbollah and Hamas have also provided advice and training to the Houthi. ¶7. (C) Dr. Turki said that Yemeni President Al-Saleh would like to see a peaceful solution to the Houthi fighting, but he may no longer have that choice. Saleh needs U.S. assistance urgently, he stressed, "otherwise you will have another Afghanistan." A/S Shapiro agreed with Dr. Turki’s assessment of the urgency of the situation in Yemen, and assured that the U.S. also wants to help strengthen the Yemeni government. Afghanistan: U.S. should seek out Taliban moderates -------------- -------------- ¶8. (C) A/S Shapiro noted the importance of cutting off funding to the Taliban, and expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to this end, noting the importance of continuing to cooperate in this area. Dr. Turki responded with two recommendation. First, the U.S. should seek to build relations with Taliban moderates. These moderate elements could in turn convince their friends to come along, pulling them away from more extreme members. Second, the U.S. should seek to gain the confidence and support of the Afghani people through humanitarian assistance; Saudi Arabia would be glad to support this effort. A/S Shapiro also welcomed Saudi Arabia,s recent contributions for Afghan refugees, and asked Dr. Turki if he could take a look at the World Bank Border Trust Fund to improve security along the AfPak border. SMITH