Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIYADH311
2009-02-16 12:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
COMMERCE MINISTER WANTS TO ATTEND MARCH 2 TIFA OPENING,
how-toVZCZCXRO3508 OO RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR DE RUEHRH #0311 0471252 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 161252Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0198 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC INFO RUEHZM/GCC COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS RIYADH 000311
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR E, EEB/FO, AND NEA/ARP(HARRIS)
STATE PLEASE PASS USTR(BUNTIN),SBA, AND USCPC
E.O.12958:N/A
TAGS: ECON PREL SA
SUBJECT: COMMERCE MINISTER WANTS TO ATTEND MARCH 2 TIFA OPENING,
POSSIBLE BROADER CONSULTATIONS
REF: RIYADH 226, 08 RIYADH 1676
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.
UNCLAS RIYADH 000311
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR E, EEB/FO, AND NEA/ARP(HARRIS)
STATE PLEASE PASS USTR(BUNTIN),SBA, AND USCPC
E.O.12958:N/A
TAGS: ECON PREL SA
SUBJECT: COMMERCE MINISTER WANTS TO ATTEND MARCH 2 TIFA OPENING,
POSSIBLE BROADER CONSULTATIONS
REF: RIYADH 226, 08 RIYADH 1676
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph four.
2. (SBU) Abdullah Mahmoud, the Private Secretary of Minister of
Commerce and Industry Abdallah bin Zainal Alireza called the A/DCM
February 15 to inform the USG that the Minister wanted to
participate in the opening of the March 2-6 Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks in Washington. Abdullah realized
that the Minister's counterparts at the Department of Commerce and
USTR have not been confirmed yet but intimated that the SAG might
postpone the TIFA talks until a ministerial opening was possible.
3. (SBU) The A/DCM replied it would be a pity to again postpone the
oft-delayed TIFA talks, which were scheduled for the subministerial
level. The A/DCM promised, however, to convey the Minister's wishes
to Washington.
Comment
--------------
4. (SBU) Alireza is not only one of King Abdullah's closest advisors
on economic matters, but he also is among Saudi Arabia's most
energetic "next generation" of leaders gradually taking over from
generally long-serving predecessors (he was appointed to his current
position in March 2008). The Minister has approached us previously
about meeting with U.S. counterparts at USDOC, U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, and U.S. Small Business Administration to consult
about establishing analogous agencies in the Kingdom (reftels). We
most recently advised the Minister to undertake such a trip in the
spring. Abdullah did not specifically request such broader
consultations with the TIFA meeting, but we presume the Minister
would welcome such an opportunity.
Action request
--------------
4. (SBU) Post requests Washington's guidance on how to respond to
the Minister's request. One possibility would be to have someone of
the secretary/deputy level rank participate in the TIFA opening, in
lieu of the USDOC Secretary or U.S. Trade Representative.
MUENCH
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR E, EEB/FO, AND NEA/ARP(HARRIS)
STATE PLEASE PASS USTR(BUNTIN),SBA, AND USCPC
E.O.12958:N/A
TAGS: ECON PREL SA
SUBJECT: COMMERCE MINISTER WANTS TO ATTEND MARCH 2 TIFA OPENING,
POSSIBLE BROADER CONSULTATIONS
REF: RIYADH 226, 08 RIYADH 1676
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph four.
2. (SBU) Abdullah Mahmoud, the Private Secretary of Minister of
Commerce and Industry Abdallah bin Zainal Alireza called the A/DCM
February 15 to inform the USG that the Minister wanted to
participate in the opening of the March 2-6 Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks in Washington. Abdullah realized
that the Minister's counterparts at the Department of Commerce and
USTR have not been confirmed yet but intimated that the SAG might
postpone the TIFA talks until a ministerial opening was possible.
3. (SBU) The A/DCM replied it would be a pity to again postpone the
oft-delayed TIFA talks, which were scheduled for the subministerial
level. The A/DCM promised, however, to convey the Minister's wishes
to Washington.
Comment
--------------
4. (SBU) Alireza is not only one of King Abdullah's closest advisors
on economic matters, but he also is among Saudi Arabia's most
energetic "next generation" of leaders gradually taking over from
generally long-serving predecessors (he was appointed to his current
position in March 2008). The Minister has approached us previously
about meeting with U.S. counterparts at USDOC, U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, and U.S. Small Business Administration to consult
about establishing analogous agencies in the Kingdom (reftels). We
most recently advised the Minister to undertake such a trip in the
spring. Abdullah did not specifically request such broader
consultations with the TIFA meeting, but we presume the Minister
would welcome such an opportunity.
Action request
--------------
4. (SBU) Post requests Washington's guidance on how to respond to
the Minister's request. One possibility would be to have someone of
the secretary/deputy level rank participate in the TIFA opening, in
lieu of the USDOC Secretary or U.S. Trade Representative.
MUENCH