SAUDI KING SAYS TALKS WITH IRANIAN FM "HEATED"

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 000427

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2019
TAGS: PREL SA IR
SUBJECT: SAUDI KING SAYS TALKS WITH IRANIAN FM "HEATED"

Classified By: Political Counselor Lisa M. Carle,
Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)


1. KEY POINTS:

--(U) Paying a back-handed compliment to Saudi efforts to
rebuild Arab unity, Iranian FM Manochehr Mottaki made a
surprise visit to Riyadh March 15 in a bid to defuse tensions
between the two countries.

--(S) King Abdallah told visiting White House
Counterterrorism Adviser John Brennan he was having none of
it; the meeting with Mottaki was a "heated exchange" over
Iranian meddling in Arab affairs.

--(S) The King claimed he told Mottaki that Iran had a year
to improve relations.

--(U) FM Saud Al-Faisal was publicly critical in a press
conference following Mottaki's departure, saying that while
Iranian support for Arab causes was appreciated, their
support had to complement Arab "legitimacy" and not try to
supplant it.

--(U) Post will provide a comprehensive report on Brennan's
meeting with King Abdallah septel.

IRANIANS WORRIED BY ARAB RECONCILIATION TALKS?


2. (U) Iranian FM Manouchehr Mottaki paid a surprise visit to
Riyadh March 15 bearing a letter from President Ahmadinejad
to King Abdallah, which FM Saud Al-Faisal described as
concerning relations between the two countries and the
situations in the Arab Gulf and the Middle East. Mottaki
was received by FM Saud before his audience with the King,
and then reportedly headed to Bahrain and Kuwait.


3. (U) According to Iranian press reports, Mottaki described
his visit as "the first round" of talks to pave the way for
improved relations "to favor stability, peace, unity and the
world of Islam." Mottaki was quoted as saying that "the time
is now ripe for coordination and deliberation for Palestine's
political victory."


KING ABDALLAH'S READOUT: A HEATED EXCHANGE


4. (S) THEY'RE PERSIANS FIRST, MUSLIMS SECOND: Responding to
White House Counterterrorism Advisor John Brennan,s query
about Mottaki's visit, the King pointed out that Mottaki had
been "sitting in that same seat (as Brennan) a few moments
ago." Mottaki came to discuss "friendship," to which the
King said he replied "it is not acceptable for friends to say
one thing and do another." The King described his
conversation with FM Mottaki as "a heated exchange, frankly
discussing Iran,s interference in Arab affairs." When
challended by the King on Iranian meddling in Hamas affairs,
Mottaki apparently protested that "These are Muslims." "No,
Arabs" countered the King, "You as Persians have no business
meddling in Arab matters."


5. (S) AN ULTIMATUM? Mottaki tendered an invitation to visit
Iran, but Abdallah said he replied that "All I want is for
you to spare us your evil." Abdallah said the Iranians
wanted to improve relations and that he responded by giving
Mottaki an ultimatum. "I will give you one year" (to improve
ties),"after that, it will be the end."


6. (S) PERSIAN PERFIDY: Abdallah asserted that Iran is
trying to set up Hizballah-like organizations in African
countries, observing that the Iranians don't think they are
doing anything wrong and don't recognize their mistakes. "I
said (to Mottaki) that's your problem," recounted the King.
He said he would favor Rafsanjani in an election, were he to
run. He described Iran "not as a neighbor one wants to see,
but as a neighbor one wants to avoid." He said the Iranians
"launch missiles with the hope of putting fear in people and
the world." A solution to the Arab/Israeli conflict would be
a great achievement, the King said, but Iran would find other
ways to cause trouble. "Iran's goal is to cause problems,"
he added. "There is no doubt something unstable about them."
he continued. He described Iran as "adventurous in the
negative sense" and declared, "may God prevent us from
falling victim to their evil." Summarizing his history with
Iran, Abdallah concluded: "The bottom line is that they
cannot be trusted."


7. (S) PERSIAN MEDDLING: In an earlier meeting with Brennan
(septel),Saudi Intelligence Chief Prince Muqrin bin
Abdalaziz described Iran as "all over the place now." The
Shiite crescent is becoming a full moon, encompassing
Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait and Yemen among Iran's
targets. In the Kingdom, he said "we have problems in Medina

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and Eastern Province." When asked if he saw Iran's hand in
last month's Medina riots, he strongly affirmed his belief
that they were "definitely" Iranian-supported. Muqrin
bluntly stated "Iran is becoming a pain in the..." and he
expressed hope that President Obama "can get them straight,
or straighten them out."

FM SAUD'S OFFICIAL STATEMENT: THANKS, BUT NO THANKS


8. (U) A PUBLIC WARNING: FM Saud Al-Faisal held a press
conference at Riyadh Airbase after Mottaki,s departure.
While describing the talks as "frank and transparent," the
Prince was openly critical, saying: "Although we appreciate
the Iranian support for Arab causes, we believe that this
support should be channeled through Arab legitimacy, be
consistent with its goals and positions, express its support
for it and not be a replacement for it." Saud added that "at
the same time, we believe that the unity of Arab and
Palestinian ranks will help achieve these objectives."
Questioned about leaks indicating that Saudi Arabia would
reduce its representation at the Doha Summit if Iran was
invited, Prince Saud replied, "this matter is incorrect."


9. (U) ARAB UNITY IS THE ANTIDOTE: Before commenting on
Mottaki's visit, FM Saud issued a statement on the Arab
Quartet Summit held in Riyadh on March 11. Describing the
meeting as an "icebreaker," he expressed the SAG,s pleasure
with the outcome, and emphasized that the four leaders agreed
there was a need for Arab unity to counter the challenges
facing the region.


10. (U) This message was cleared by Assistant to the
President John Brennan.

FRAKER