Why the Muslim World is Best Addressed from Saudi Arabia

UNCLAS RIYADH 000212 TO SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON FROM AMBASSADOR FORD M. FRAKER DEPT FOR NEA/FO FOR JEFFREY FELTMAN AND DAVID HALE; P FOR WILLIAM BURNS E.O. 12958; N/A TAGS: PREL SA SUBJECT: Why the Muslim World is Best Addressed from Saudi Arabia REF: RIYADH 00211 ¶1. Madam Secretary, In my transition paper for the President, I suggested that he visit Saudi Arabia in the first one hundred days of his administration. I would like to repeat that advice and also suggest that his address to the Muslim World be made from Saudi Arabia. Speaking from Saudi Arabia would be to speak from the historic and geographic center of the Muslim World. Moreover, Saudi Arabia is the most politically and economically influential Muslim state in the world today and speaking here would give King Abdullah a further stake in supporting the Obama Administration's regional and domestic agenda. ¶2. Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam. Five times a day, a billion Muslims face the Kingdom to pray. The Hajj brings millions of pilgrims here each year and the King prefers the title Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. A speech delivered here would resonate with the entire Muslim world. ¶3. More than any other Muslim leader, King Abdullah has reached out to the non-Muslim world. With personal courage he began the Interfaith Dialogue Initiative. With personal commitment he pursed it in Madrid, Rome and New York. His trip to the Vatican was an historic event comparable to a presidential speech to the Muslim World. A speech delivered here would recognize the important steps King Abdullah has taken to avoid a clash of civilizations. ¶4. King Abdullah is popular at home and respected abroad. His peace plan has been adopted by the Arab League. His mediation has been sought out in Lebanon, Somalia, Afghanistan and Palestine. He is the most influential Arab leader since Nasser. ¶5. King Abdullah is an aid donor, not a recipient. He is on no one's payroll. This augments his stature as an independent, genuinely Islamic leader. Moreover, he is in the position to use his wealth to advance policy goals. No other Muslim leader could have donated five hundred million dollars to the U.N.'s World Food Program or committed one billion dollars to the rebuilding of Gaza. ¶6. Saudi Arabia is the only Muslim state seriously engaged with us in all three of our major, regional, diplomatic objectives: resolving the Arab Israeli dispute, containing and if possible improving relations with Iran and supporting stability in Pakistan. An address putting forth our views on these issues would be more compelling if it were delivered from a capital already working with us on these issues. ¶7. Saudi Arabia is the largest Muslim player in global financial markets. It is the only Muslim member of the G-20. It resisted recent calls to depeg the Riyal from the dollar, reduce its very large holdings of US Treasury assets and begin trading oil in currencies other than the dollar. Saudi Arabia is an important partner in our efforts to repair the global economy. A speech touching on these issues would be more noteworthy if it were delivered from the only Muslim state with an individual representative on the IMF Executive Board. ¶8. Energy supplies are, for better or worse, one of our principal links to the Muslim World. Saudi Oil Minister Naimi has stated that lower crude oil prices are an "important stimulus to economic recovery" and "a welcome injection of liquidity into consumer's pockets." While the Saudis will naturally seek to maximize their long term oil revenues, they are mindful of the dangers to the world economy if oil prices are too high. A speech that touched on this would be better delivered from a capital that understands the interdependence of energy consumers and producers. ¶9. The United States does not oppose nuclear energy programs in the Muslim World provided these programs apply internationally accepted safeguards. Saudi Arabia has signed the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and the Nuclear Proliferation Security Initiative. Saudi Arabia has deposited Nuclear Safeguards Agreements with the IAEA and we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to assist Saudi Arabia develop peaceful nuclear energy. Saudi Arabia is thus an ideal place to point out that our opposition to nuclear energy programs in some Muslim states is based solely on their failure to apply international safeguards. ¶10. Finally, the Global War on Terror has often been perceived as the Global War on Islam. Yet no nation has done more to help us defeat Al Qaeda and Saudi Arabia is the only Muslim country that has fought and defeated al Qaeda in its own home. Speaking to the Muslim World from Saudi Arabia would recognize the Saudi contribution and make it crystal clear that we hold individuals, not a religion, responsible for the events of September 11. ¶11. Saudi Arabia offers a wide range of attractive venues for a ground breaking speech. The King Abdul-Aziz International Conference Center is a new, large and very beautiful setting which has been used for numerous major international events. The Saudi Majlis Al Shura is an emerging parliament that has hosted other heads of state in its large, modern chambers. Finally, the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Jeddah could provide a pan-Islamic venue where representatives of all Muslim states could attend. ¶12. The Saudi security and protocol apparatus are highly professional. In the past 18 months they have successfully hosted two presidential visits, two vice presidential visits and a visit by the former First Lady to promote breast cancer awareness. They would do an exceptional job handling the complex logistics of a major presidential address. ¶13. A speech to the Muslim World should be made from the heart of the Muslim World. The speech will be most effective if it is delivered from a Muslim capital with significant political, economic and religious importance. The speech will be more successful if it is introduced by a popular and internationally respected Muslim leader. The President will advance our own objectives if he speaks from a country that shares our goals and has both the capacity and intention to meaningfully support them. ¶14. I hope to meet you soon in Washington to discuss a possible presidential visit to Saudi Arabia and our transition paper for Saudi Arabia. A copy of the paper is Reftel. FRAKER