SAUDI MINISTER OF COMMERCE VISIT

UNCLAS RIYADH 000589 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON PREL SA SUBJECT: SAUDI MINISTER OF COMMERCE VISIT REF: RIYADH 226 ¶1. (SBU) Post asks Washington agencies to grant Saudi Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah Ali Reza the most senior ranking meetings possible, comparable with the level accorded to Commerce Ministers from other G-20 countries. Given Ali Reza's decisive influence on several outstanding Commercial Department advocacy cases, post believes that a meeting with Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke is particularly vital. ¶2. (SBU) Ali Reza is the first Saudi cabinet official to visit Washington since President Obama came to office. He is the strongest advocate of the U.S./Saudi relationship in the Saudi cabinet, where he supports social and economic reform. King Abdullah personally endorsed Ali Reza's travel to the New American Foundation Conference and sees the Minister's participation in the Conference and other meetings as an outreach to the new administration. ¶3. (SBU) In recent days, the Kingdom has made a substantial pledge at the Pakistan Donors Conference in Tokyo and indicated that it will recognize Kosovo. ¶4. (SBU) According to our most recent information, Ali Reza has a confirmed meeting with USTR Ron Kirk, is awaiting confirmation with from Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, but was declined a meeting with Commerce Secretary Locke and Secretary Clinton. The inability of Ali Reza to meet with a senior U.S. Department of Commerce counterpart will puzzle the SAG leadership. High level meetings at State would also be welcome. ¶5. (SBU) Post urges Washington agencies to facilitate high level meetings for Ali Reza at both State and Commerce. RUNDELL