SCHEDULING THE NEXT ROUND OF GULF SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 004265 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2020 TAGS: MARR MOPS MU PARM PGOV PREL BA QA SUBJECT: SCHEDULING THE NEXT ROUND OF GULF SECURITY DIALOGUE TALKS REF: A. MUSCAT 361 ¶B. DOHA 759 ¶C. MANAMA 790 Classified By: PM AA/S Tom Countryman, E.O. 12958; 1.4(b)(d) -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request. Department requests action Embassies to assist in coordinating with appropriate government officials to schedule the next round of Gulf Security Dialogue (GSD) discussions. The last round of GSD talks with these three countries was held in 2008. -------------- Objectives -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Department requests Posts pursue the following objectives: -- Seek host government concurrence for proposed dates (see paragraph five) for the next round of GSD talks. -- Inform host governments of the new GSD format. -- If proposed dates are not convenient for host country officials, solicit alternative date suggestions. -- Solicit host government ideas for GSD agenda topics. -------------- Reporting Deadline -------------- ¶3. (U) Embassies should report results of consultations by front channel cable no later than January 22. -------------- Background -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The GSD is a series of bilateral consultations to discuss security concerns with Gulf Cooperation Council countries and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to regional security. The last GSD round with Oman was held in Washington on May 27, 2008. The last GSDs with Qatar and Bahrain were held in Doha and Manama on November 13 and 15, 2008 respectively. ¶5. (C/REL OM, BA, QA) Since the last round of talk with these countries, we have moved away from the previous format that included set discussion topics, namely the six pillars: Enhanced defensive capabilities and cooperation; Regional security; Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection; Counterterrorism and internal security; Counterproliferation; and Iraq. Instead, we propose splitting the dialogues into two sessions tailored to each country,s specific security concerns, with host government and the U.S. sides contributing items to the agenda. The first session would be a small group discussion (potentially a principals working dinner) to focus on one or two issues of particular importance and/or sensitivity. The goal of these small group meetings is to seek high-level, candid and free-flowing discussion on key concerns. The second session would be a larger plenary with a more structured agenda. The plenary session would allow for discussion on the main security issues between our governments and provide the opportunity to expand on the topics discussed during the executive small-group meeting. This approach was utilized at the most recent GSD held in the UAE on July 19/20, 2009, to the satisfaction of both sides. ¶6. (SBU) The next round of Gulf Security Dialogue talks will be co-led by PM A/S Shapiro and ASD Vershbow. The Department would like to conduct talks in Doha on Feb 21, Manama on Feb 22/23, and Muscat on Feb 23/24. POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶7. (U) Please contact Major Dave Burke PM/RSAT burkedm@state.sgov.gov and Maria Sisk NEA/ARP siskml@state.sgov.gov via email for any necessary further background. CLINTON