Contents of the United States diplomatic cables leak (Saudi Arabia)
Financial support for terrorist groups
Diplomats claim that
Afghanistan-Saudi relations
Afghan President Karzai's visited Saudi Arabia on February 2–3, although richer in symbolism than significance, was a sign that lukewarm Saudi-Afghan relations may finally be warming up. Saudi Arabia announced an aid package of US$150 million for reconstruction in Afghanistan. However, the Saudis continue to have concerns about Afghan corruption and believe greater political unification of the Pashtun community is essential. Their apparent wish to de-emphasize Karzai's visit, may also indicate the King Abdullah's desire to keep some distance and maintain his credibility as a potential reconciliation mediator.[5] Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Turki Al Faisal called Afghanistan a "puzzle", "where establishing trust with Afghan leaders, and recognizing the links between Pakistan and the Taliban, were keys to success. All financial aid to the Afghan government should be conditional, benchmarks must be set for the leadership, and aid must be withheld until these are met."[5]
GCC-Saudi relations
Saudi Arabia attempts to block co-operative projects between other
Iran-Saudi relations
Cut the head of Iranian snake
Saudi King Abdullah repeatedly urged the U.S. to attack Iran's nuclear facilities.[7] In one diplomatic cable, King Abdullah said it was necessary to "cut the head of the snake", in reference to Iran's nuclear program.[8][9] The Pakistani Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alisherzai had accused Russia of "fully supporting the Iranians' nuclear program", adding that all Shia communities in the region supported this program.[10]
No to Iranian interference in Arab affairs
A heated discussion took place between the
Iranian supremacy rejected
King Abdullah asserted that "Iran is trying to set up Hizballah-like organizations in African countries, the Iranians don't think they are doing anything wrong and don't recognize their mistakes." Abdullah said "he would favor Rafsanjani in an Iranian election, were he to run." He described Iran not as "a neighbor one wants to see", but as "a neighbor one wants to avoid." He said the Iranians "launch missiles with the hope of putting fear in people and the world. A solution to the Arab/Israeli conflict would be a great achievement, the King said, but Iran would find other ways to cause trouble. Iran's goal is to cause problems", he continued, "There is no doubt something unstable about them." He described Iran as "adventurous in the negative sense", and declared "May God prevent us from falling victim to their evil." Mottaki had tendered an invitation to visit Iran, but Abdullah said he replied "All I want is for you to spare us your evil." Summarizing his history with Iran, Abdullah concluded: "We have had correct relations over the years, but the bottom line is that they cannot be trusted."[11]
Iranian nuclear ambitions are evil
During a meeting with Dutch and Russian ambassadors in Riyadh, Prince Turki al Kabeer Saudi Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that "if Iran tried to produce nuclear weapons, other countries in the Gulf region would be compelled to do the same, or to permit the stationing of nuclear weapons in the Gulf to serve as a deterrent to the Iranians."[12] Prince Turki also raised concerns that "the United States will negotiate a grand bargain with Iran without consulting Saudi Arabia is a concern we have heard often in recent weeks. Saudi Arabia is also concerned about the Russian-built reactor at Bushehr. A leakage from a plant at that location could bring an environmental catastrophe to Saudi Arabia, pointing out that it is located less than 300 kilometers away from Saudi shores, across open water." The Russian Ambassador Gibinvish, responded that Iran's wants to enrich uranium as it fears being attacked by Israel or the United States and also a sign of Iran's desire to establish its "supremacy" in the region. Prince Turki interjected: "And we cannot accept Iranian supremacy in the region. We are okay with nuclear electrical power and desalination, but not with enrichment." He said that the prospect of Iranian enrichment raises troubling questions about their motivations for doing so: "they do not need it!"[12]
Iraq-Saudi relations
Iraqi government wary of Saudi Arabia
The Iraqi government sees Saudi Arabia rather than Iran as the "biggest threat to the integrity and cohesion of their fledgling democratic state".[13] A September 2009 cable stated, "Iraqi contacts assess that the Saudi goal (and that of most other Sunni Arab states, to varying degrees) is to enhance Sunni influence, dilute Shia dominance and promote the formation of a weak and fractured Iraqi government."[14]
Saudi Arabia counters Iraqi Shiite influence
Furthermore, Saudis had pressured Kuwait to backtrack on initial agreements with Iraq on issues dating to the Saddam-era. Saudi Arabia was also opposed to Qatar's and Bahrain's plan to seek better ties with Iraq. According to American diplomats, like the Iranians, the Saudis have not hesitated to use their money and political influence inside Iraq. Iraqi contacts assess that the Saudi goal and that of most other Sunni Arab states, to vary degrees is to enhance Sunni influence, diminish Shia dominance and promote the formation of a weak and fractured Iraqi government. The Saudis are using their money and media power through satellite channel like Al-Arabiyya, Al-Sharqiya and other various media they control or influence to support Sunni political aspirations, exert influence over Sunni tribal groups and counter the Shia-led Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) and Iraqi National Alliance (INA).[15][16] A recent Iraqi press article quoted anonymous Iraqi intelligence sources assessing that Saudi Arabia was leading a Gulf effort to destabilize the Maliki government and was financing "the current al Qaida offensive in Iraq."[16]
US invasion gave Iraq to Iran
In a meeting with White House counterterrorism adviser
No hope for Nour al Maliki
Israel-Saudi relations
Israeli seeks to block US planes for Saudi Arabia
During the Executive Session of the 40th Joint Political Military Group (JPMG), Israelis expressed their concerns to the Americans regarding the US sale of
Gulf States nuclear ambitions worry Israel
Israeli Mossad Chief, Meir Dagan in a meeting with US under secretary said that "Gulf states and Saudi Arabia are concerned about the growing importance of Iran and its influence on them. They are taking precautions, trying to increase their own military defensive capabilities." Dagan warned that these countries would not be able to cope with the amount of weapons systems they intend to acquire: "They do not use the weapons effectively."[19]
Pakistan-Saudi relations
Saudis are players in Pakistan
According to Time magazine, the diplomatic cables reveal that "Saudis are long accustomed to having a significant role in Pakistan's affairs."[20] Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States Adel al-Jubeir boasted about the Saudi involvement in Pakistani affairs, stating, "We in Saudi Arabia are not observers in Pakistan, we are participants."[21]
Saudi contempt for Zardari
The diplomatic cables also reveal Saudis have never liked the
Saudi Arabia's friend Nawaz Sharif
Pakistan Army is Saudi Arabia's "winning horse"
In a May 2009 discussion with Holbrooke, Prince
Saudi Arabia and UAE fund extremism in Punjab province
From missionary and Islamic charity organizations and apparently with the direct support of governments in
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia "unique relationship"
In a meeting with the Saudi Interior Minister, Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, former US Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke stressed that "U.S. desire for stronger cooperation and a common U.S./Saudi approach to Pakistan based on economic assistance, encouraging cooperation between Pakistani political factions, and transforming the Pakistani army to fight a counterinsurgency war."[27] Prince Muhammad bin Nayef noted that the Saudis viewed the Pakistan army as the strongest element for stability in the country.[27] The U.S and Saudi shared the opinion that they might be able to live with some degree of instability in Afghanistan, but not with an unstable Pakistan, because of Pakistan's nuclear arms, fragile politics, and relationship with India. It's clear that Saudi Arabia has a "unique" relationship with Pakistan, He noted that over 800,000 Pakistanis live and work in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia was especially important to Nawaz Sharif, the most popular politician in Pakistan. These were reasons why what happened in Pakistan was of direct concern to both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.[27] Neither the U.S. nor Saudi Arabia could afford to let Pakistan fall apart.[27]
Turkey seen as answer to Saudi influence in Pakistan
Former US Ambassador to Pakistan,
Lebanon-Saudi relations
Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal proposed to David M. Satterfield, the U.S. special adviser to Iraq, that an Arab force supported by U.S. and NATO air power could fight Hezbollah in Lebanon. Saud expressed his fears that a Hezbollah victory in Beirut would mean the end of the Siniora government and the 'Iranian takeover' of Lebanon.[32][33] He accused the U.N. troops in Lebanon of "sitting doing nothing".[34] Saudi Arabia's Information Minister and former ambassador to Lebanon, Abdul Aziz Khoja has called Iranian-backed Hezbollah evil.[35]
Saudi-Yemen relations
Saudi Assistant Interior Minister,
Anti-Shiism as Saudi foreign policy
Iraqi officials have noted that frequent anti-Shia outbursts from Saudi religious figures are often allowed to circulate without sanction or disapproval from the Saudi leadership, moreover
"Shi'a triangle"
An April 2009 cable claims that[20] United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stated there is "Saudi concern of a [Shi'a] triangle in the region between Iran, the Maliki government in Iraq, and Pakistan under Zardari."[36]
Saudi support for a Palestinian state
During
Guantanamo Bay detainees
Vice in Saudi Arabia
Nightlife
In
Exclusive parties
The Economist summarized cable descriptions of "exclusive parties" in Saudi Arabia, stating, "An American official in Saudi Arabia describes un-Islamic mores at a clandestine Halloween party, hosted by a royal prince. Alcohol and prostitutes abounded at the event, attended by 150-plus Saudis. The host's status kept the fearsome religious police away. Such parties, the writer concluded, were increasingly typical in the kingdom."[40]
Censorship and propaganda
According to a May 2009 cable, the "Saudi regulatory system offers the al-Saud regime a means to manipulate the nation's media to promote its own agenda", and criticism of the al-Saud regime is not tolerated at all.
Oil Production
Cables revealed that the US was warned by Sadad al Husseini, a senior Saudi government oil executive, that the country's oil reserves are overstated by as much as 300 billion barrels (40% of the claimed reserve). It is therefore not possible for Saudi Arabia to prevent the oil price from rising.[42][43]
References
- ^ Colvin, Ross (28 November 2010). "Saudi King Urged U.S. To Attack Iran: WikiLeaks". Reuters. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ (registration required) Obtained by WikiLeaks Shine Light Into Secret Diplomatic Channels - Page 2; The New York Times. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ Walsh, Declan (5 December 2010). "WikiLeaks Cables Portray Saudi Arabia as a Cashpoint for Terrorists — Hillary Clinton Memo Highlights Gulf States' Failure To Block Funding for Groups Like al-Qaida, Taliban and Lashkar-e-Taiba". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
- ^ a b "US embassy cables: Saudis praise American strike against al-Qaida in Yemen". The Guardian. London. 4 December 2010.
- ^ a b "US embassy cables: Saudi rulers' contempt for Pakistan president Zardari". The Guardian. London. 1 December 2010.
- ^ "US embassy cables: King of Bahrain discusses Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Israel/Palestine". The Guardian. London. 7 April 2011.
- ^ Mohammed, Arshad; Colvin, Ross (28 November 2010). "Saudi King Urged U.S. To Attack Iran: WikiLeaks". Reuters. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ Black, Ian; Tisdall, Simon (28 November 2010). "Saudi Arabia Urges US Attack on Iran To Stop Nuclear Programme — Embassy Cables Show Arab Allies Want Strike Against Tehran — Israel Prepared To Attack Alone To Avoid Its Own 9/11 — Iranian Bomb Risks 'Middle East Proliferation, War or Both'". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
- ^ Bonner, Raymond (24 November 2010). "'By Whatever Means Necessary': Arab Leaders Want Iran Stopped". The Atlantic. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
- ^ "State Department cables: Saudis distrust Pakistan's Shia president Zardari". The Guardian. London. 1 December 2010.
- ^ a b c "US embassy cables: Saudi king's advice for Barack Obama". The Guardian. London. 28 November 2010.
- ^ a b "US embassy cables: Saudi official warns Gulf states may go nuclear". The Guardian. London. 28 November 2010.
- ^ Tisdall, Simon (5 December 2010). WikiLeaks Cables: Saudi Arabia Rated a Bigger Threat to Iraqi Stability than Iran — Baghdad Says It Can Contain Influence of Shia Neighbour, Unlike Powerful Gulf State That Wants a Return to Sunni Dominance; The Guardian. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
- ^ Hill, Christopher R. (24 September 2009). "The Great Game, in Mesopotamia: Iraq and its neighbors, Part I". WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks cable: 09BAGHDAD2562. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
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(help) - ^ Gordon, Michael R. (5 December 2010). "WikiLeaks Archive — Meddling Neighbors Torment Iraq". The New York Times.
- ^ a b c "US embassy cables: Struggle for Iraq". The Guardian. London. 5 December 2010.
- ^ a b c "US embassy cables: Saudi king urges US strike on Iran". The Guardian. London. 28 November 2010.
- ^ "US embassy cables: Israel seeks to block US planes for Saudi". The Guardian. London. 28 November 2010.
- ^ "US embassy cables: Israel grateful for US support". The Guardian. London. 28 November 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f Tharoor, Ishaan (6 December 2010). "WikiLeaks: The Saudis' Close but Strained Ties with Pakistan". Time. Archived from the original on 9 December 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
- ^ Gfoeller, Michael (20 November 2007). "Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the US on Pakistani President Musharraf's visit to Saudi Arabia". WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks cable: 07RIYADH2320. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
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(help) - ^ a b Rundell, David (16 October 2008). "Pakistani relations with Saudis "strained"". WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks cable: 08RIYADH1541. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
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(help) - ^ Allbritton, Chris (29 November 2010). "Pakistan Defends Nuclear Stance Revealed by WikiLeaks". Reuters. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
- AAJ TV. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
- ^ "US embassy cables: Pakistani relations with Saudis 'strained'". The Guardian. London. 1 December 2010.
- ^ Imtiaz, Saba (8 December 2010). "External Actors: Saudi Arabia's Covert Role in Pakistan". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f "US embassy cables: Saudi royals believe army rule better for Pakistan". The Guardian. London. 1 December 2010.
- ^ a b c Rundell, David (17 May 2009). "Special advisor Holbrooke's meeting with Saudi Assistant Interior Minister Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef". WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks cable: 09RIYADH670. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
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(help) - ^ "Saudi Arabia, UAE financing extremism in south Punjab". 21 May 2011.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia, UAE funded jihadi networks in Pakistan: WikiLeaks - Region - World".
- ^ "US embassy cables: Turkey seen as answer to Saudis' influence in Pakistan". The Guardian. London. 1 December 2010.
- ^ "Wikileaks: Saudis urge force to destroy Hezbollah". BBC News. 8 December 2010.
- ^ MacAskill, Ewen (7 December 2010). "WikiLeaks Cables: Saudis Proposed Arab Force To Invade Lebanon — Foreign Minister Wanted US, Nato and UN Backing for Offensive To End Iranian-Backed Hezbollah's Siege of Government". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
- Ynetnews. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
- ^ "Web Page Under Construction".
- ^ Rodham Clinton, Hillary (9 April 2009). "Secretary Clinton's April 7, 2009 meeting with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed". WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks cable: 09STATE34688. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
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(help) - ^ "US embassy cables: Nicolas Sarkozy offends the Saudis with his bad manners". The Guardian. London. 30 November 2010.
- ^ Fraker (22 March 2009). "Counterterrorism adviser Brennan's meeting with Saudi King Abdullah". WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks cable: 09RIYADH447. Archived from the original on 8 January 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
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(help) - ^ Quinn, Martin R. (18 November 2009). "Underground party scene in Jeddah: Saudi youth frolic under "princely protection"". WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks cable: 09JEDDAH443. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
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(help) - ^ "More dope, no highs — Blushes, frowns but no explosions in the latest WikiLeaks' disclosures". The Economist. 9 December 2010. Archived from the original on 13 January 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- ^ a b Rundell, David (11 May 2009). "Ideological and ownership trends in the Saudi media". WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks cable: 09RIYADH651. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
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(help) - ^ John Vidal (9 February 2011). "WikiLeaks cables: Saudi Arabia cannot pump enough oil to keep a lid on prices". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
- ^ "Saudi oil reserves 'overstated'". Al Jazeera. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2011.