A/S FELTMAN'S JANUARY 26 MEETING WITH CULTURE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 000131 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/27/2020 TAGS: PGOV PREL SA SUBJECT: A/S FELTMAN'S JANUARY 26 MEETING WITH CULTURE MINISTER ABDULAZIZ KHOJA RIYADH 00000131 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Ambassador James B. Smith for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) During a January 26 MEETING with Assistant Secretary Feltman, Culture Minister Abdulaziz Khoja urged us to share our thoughts on Iraq with FM Prince Saud Al-Faisal; said the Saudis remained convinced of Iranian support for the Houthis in Yemen; expressed concern about the possibility of ISRAEL striking Hezbollah or Iran; and assured us that the improved Saudi-Syrian relationship would not come at the expense of Lebanon. He also praised Saudi-U.S. cooperation and its positive impact on Lebanon, and described his plans for transforming the SAUDI Ministry of Information and Culture. END SUMMARY. WORKING HARD ON IPR -------------- ¶2. (U) A/S Feltman began by thanking Khoja and his Ministry for the work they had done on IPR and copyright issues. "This is very important and we have been working very hard," Khoja said, adding that they were hopeful their efforts would result in SAUDI Arabia's removal from the 301 Watch List. SHARE VIEWS WITH FM SAUD RE: IRAQ -------------- ¶3. (C) Turning to politics, Khoja asked A/S Feltman for his views on recent events in the region, mentioning Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon, in particular. We saw several trends in Iraq, explained Feltman, many positive, and some negative. Increased evidence of cross-sectarian coalition building in the lead-up to the March elections was a positive sign, as was evidence that Iraqi Shia leaders appeared to be benefiting politically when they were seen as demonstrating their independence vis-a-vis Iran. "Even the Shia?," Khoja remarked, agreeing that this was an encouraging development. Taking notes throughout the conversation, Khoja urged Feltman to raise this issue with FM Saud. Those close to the King were aware that engaging Iraq was important, he continued, but the fact was the King did not like or trust Iraqi PM Nuri Al-Maliki. "I hope you can talk to Saud about this," he urged again, adding that he would try to relay the message to both FM Saud and the King later that day. IRAN AND YEMEN -------------- ¶4. (C) Feltman then discussed current U.S. thinking on both Iran and Yemen. On Iran, he detailed the steps taken by the Obama administration, noting that the Iranian response had been "disappointing" at all levels. On Yemen, we were very pleased with productive U.S.-Saudi cooperation, although we still differed in our assessment of Iran's role in the Houthi conflict. The Saudis remained convinced of Iran's involvement, Khoja acknowledged, adding that they suspected Eritrea and possibly Somalia were acting as conduits for Iranian assistance. Asked about Houthi leader Abdel Malik Al-Houthi's announcement of a unilateral ceasefire and withdrawal from SAUDI Arabia, Khoja replied that it might be serious; however, the Houthis were also looking for an opportunity to talk to the Saudis directly. In any case, if the Houthis did indeed withdraw, the Saudis would have no reason to follow them into Yemeni territory. SAUDI-SYRIAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶5. (C) Moving on to Syria, Feltman highlighted U.S. efforts to reach out to Syria, concluding that in our view, the ball was now in Syria's court. He cited specific instances of unhelpful Syrian behavior, and raised concerns regarding both continued Syrian assistance to Hezbollah and the possibility of Syria trying to leverage its improved relations with SAUDI Arabia to put pressure on Lebanon. Khoja responded that the Saudis did not want to see this happen. Reacting to Feltman's comments about Damascus-based satellite channel Al-Rai, Khoja described steps taken by a group of Arab Information Ministers in Cairo to limit the broadcast of political incitement on satellites under their control. He expressed concern that ISRAEL would strike Hezbollah, then move on to Iran, and wondered whether or not U.S. efforts to avoid a military conflict in the region would succeed. RIYADH 00000131 002.2 OF 002 HARIRI, LEBANON "DOING WELL" -------------- ¶6. (C) The discussion then turned to Lebanon. Khoja said that he saw Lebanese PM Saad Hariri often, and that he was "doing well." Smiling broadly, he noted that Hariri and Asad now talk from time to time. Asked about Asad's January 13-15 visit to SAUDI Arabia he said it was "very good," and that Asad had visited Jeddah, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and King Abdulllah Economic City (KAEC). Quickly turning the conversation back to Lebanon, Khoja praised the Saudi-U.S. partnership, observing that together "we saved Lebanon many times." He said that he no longer maintained significant contacts with Hezbollah, but spoke occasionally with Fadlallah. Nasrallah, he was sure, "didn't like him anymore." KHOJA'S PLANS FOR MEDIA REFORM -------------- ¶7. (C) Discussing his current role as Minister of Culture and Information, Khoja said he questioned the whole Ministry of Information concept and hoped to spin-off television, radio, and news agency operations in the near future. He highlighted his recent efforts to liberalize the SAUDI press, and promote a more professional journalistic culture. "You can criticize anyone now," he said proudly. ¶8. (U) A/S Feltman has cleared on this cable. SMITH