AMB HOLBROOKE MEETING WITH KING ABDULLAH

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000671 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2019 TAGS: MARR PGOV PREF PTER SUBJECT: AMB HOLBROOKE MEETING WITH KING ABDULLAH Classified By: Charge d'Affaires David H. Rundell for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) UNITED States Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, AMB Richard Holbrooke, met with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud for 40 minutes on May 17. AMB Holbrooke stressed the importance that the new Administration ascribes to Afghanistan and Pakistan and outlined the vital nature of stability in both nations to the UNITED States and the KINGDOM of Saudi Arabia. ¶2. (C) He thanked the King for the USD 700 million pledge for Pakistan at the Tokyo Conference. AMB Holbrooke emphasized that Saudi Arabia's donation was essential to the success of the entire conference. He noted however that between 1 and 1.5 million refugees are now fleeing their homes in Pakistan and more money will be needed. Acknowledging that the government in Pakistan is weak and the Pakistani military remains excessively focused on India, AMB Holbrooke stressed that the situation remains volatile. He said that Pakistan and India need confidence building measures so that Pakistan can reduce its troops on the Pakistani-Indian border. He said the U.S. would announce a significant contribution for refugees in Pakistan next week, and expressed the hope that Saudi Arabia would follow suit. ¶3. (C) The King said it would be a "catastrophe" if the Taliban succeed in Pakistan. He said that the problem between Pakistan and India is rooted in Kashmir. AMB Holbrooke agreed but noted that negotiating the Pakistani-Indian conflict was outside his mandate. ¶4. (U) AMB Richard Holbrooke cleared this telegram. RUNDELL