U.S.-SAUDI INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION PARTNERSHIP:

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000694 DEPARTMENT FOR P - U/S BURNS, NEA FOR A/S FELTMAN, NEA/ARP AND DS, CENTCOM FOR COMMANDER PETREAUS, POLAD AND J5, DOE FOR DAS WBRYAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2014 TAGS: ECON ENRG EPET MARR MCAP MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SA SUBJECT: U.S.-SAUDI INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION PARTNERSHIP: SIGNING OF IMPLEMENTING AND FUNDING AGREEMENTS; FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED Classified By: CDA DAVID RUNDELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Summary: On May 19, 2009 HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, Deputy Minister of Interior (MOI) and Charge' D'Affaires David Rundell signed three agreements to fund U.S. staff dedicated to supporting Saudi Arabia's critical infrastructure protection program. The signing ceremony took place in MOI headquarters in Riyadh. These agreements included a Project Specific Agreement (PSA) for funding the overall U.S. project management organization (OPM-MOI), another PSA for Department of Energy industrial security assistance, and a DOD "Urgent Needs" Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) providing funding for training the Saudi Facilities Security Force (FSF). These agreements together provide a total of over $30 million. This signing also demonstrates that we have found a mechanism that we can apply to future activities under the umbrella Technical Cooperation Agreement (TCA) for the Saudi side to pay U.S. direct-hire costs. At the signing ceremony, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef stressed the urgency of extending protection to critical infrastructure immediately and agreed to meet with the U.S. Project Manager on a monthly basis to discuss progress. ¶2. (C) MOI officials have also recently requested USG assistance with major new requirements related to infrastructure protection in the areas of strengthening cyber security and in producing a comprehensive five year plan for the organization of the FSF and for creating an MOI diplomatic security services. End Summary -------------- Expanding the Scope of Cooperation -------------- ¶3. (C) MOI officials have recently begun addressing broader and longer term aspects of infrastructure protection and have requested advice and assistance with new proposals and requirements. On May 9, Dr. Khalid Al-Taweel, MOI project manager for implementation of the TCA, described a major new MOI priority to Charge Rundell and Ken Bowra, Program Manager of OPM-MOI. Dr. Al-Taweel asked whether the USG could produce a comprehensive five year plan for the establishment of FSF organization, including the MOI management staffing, budgeting and planning thresholds. He also pointed out during the same meeting that the MOI will be looking for assistance to set up a critical infrastructure cyber security program. ¶4. (C) Outside the area of infrastructure protection, Dr. Al-Taweel asked for Department of State advice and assistance to establish a diplomatic security (DS) service that functions much as DS does in the Department of State. -------------- Building on the Foundation -------------- ¶5. (C) As a further indication of the MOI's commitment to institutionalizing U.S.-Saudi infrastructure security cooperation, the MOI has notified the Embassy that it has acquired land in Riyadh's diplomatic quarter for the headquarters of the OPM-MOI. This will include housing for OPM-MOI personnel. ¶6. (C) Comment: The Saudi signing of the PSAs and LOA and requests for additional assistance are tangible signs of progress and momentum. In particular, the request for a new FSF five year organizational plan represents a tremendous long term opportunity to engage with MOI senior leadership, and to shape the FSF to meet current and future requirements. We look forward to ramping up our preparations. Key tasks ahead: -- Concluding an agreement to fund the OPM-FSF; -- Completing a FSF Study and 5 year plan within 90 days (USCENTCOM is preparing team to complete this study); -- Identify USG partner to consult and advise MOI on cyber security; --Conclude PSA to fund DS/ATA visit to provide consultations on setting up a diplomatic security function within MOI; -- Scheduling next meeting of the Joint Commission for Critical Infrastructure Protection and Border Security in Washington, D.C RUNDELL