Saudi King Abdullah calls Iraqi PM Maliki an Iranian agent suggests Implanting GITMO detainees
Peter H. Scrooby
December 01, 2010
Riyadh - Saudi King Abdullah Calls (IRAQI PM) Maliki an Iranian Agent, Suggest Implanting GITMO Detainees with an electronic chip.
This is just one of the secret jewels that has been released from Wikileaks. Marked "Secret" 09RIYADH447 cable number it was sent out of the U.S. Riyadh,Saudia Arabia embassy March 22nd 2009. In it a fascinating conversation between Saudi King Abdullah and White House Counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan that takes place at the Saudi Kings Palace on March 15th 2009.
This 90-minute discussion focused on U.S. Saudi-relations, counter-terrorism cooperation, the Yemeni Guantanamo Bay detainees, Iran, and Iraq.
This inside look is just one document that has been released by the Wikileaks website that will be making the light of day in the coming weeks and having public relation teams and government officials scrambling for damage control.
In the "Secret" document Saudi King Abdullah tells Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki that Iran should stop interfering in Arab affairs and gives Iran 1 year to improve Iran/Saudi relations before it is over. Warns restoring U.S. credibility in the world was critically important, Praises God for President Obama and expressed a complete lack of trust in Iraqi PM al-Maliki going as far to call al-Maliki an "Iranian Agent" and even goes a far as suggesting to implant gitmo detainees with electronic tacking devices and much more.
The meeting starts and is hosted in the in the kings royal palace. This first order is US/Saudi relations. Brennan assures King Abdullah that Saudi/US relations will remain strong as President Obama's personal commitment to Saudi Arabia as a friend in the White House. The King responds with great respect for President Obama. "We (the U.S. and Saudi Arabia) spilled blood together in Kuwait and Iraq. Saudi Arabia valued this tremendously. Friendship can be a difficult issue that requires work, Abdullah said, but the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have done it for 70 years over three generations. "Our disagreements don't cut to the bone,"
"The Bush Administration is now in the past",the King said. U.S. creditability is another topic they touch on. "Both President Bushes were his friends, but the recent President Bush didn't take his advice on dealing with issues in the region, and they found their problems compounded." King Abdulla goes on "We are ready to consult, provide guidance and to do whatever is necessary. We are people of the region and we know it well."
Brennan's response is that "President Obama wants to listen, and asks what advice the King would offer to President Obama". King Abdullah states "his one piece of advice was that restoring U.S. credibility in the world was critically important". Brennan responds that "This was an important issue for President Obama as well". Brennan says that "Under President Obama we will restore our credibility, The U.S. is a great country and we know what we have to do".
Brennan Relays to King Abdullah that "President Obama looked forward to seeing the King at the G-20 summit in London". The Saudi King replied "Thank God for bringing Obama to the presidency which has created "great hope" in the Muslim world. "May God grant him strength and patience, King Abdullah continues to say, "May God protect him. I'm concerned about his personal safety. America and the world need such a president."
They touch on immigration policy for Saudi citizens travelling to the United States. King Abdullah says "As a friend" that "It was a mistake" to limit access of Saudi citizens to the U.S., since "This damages bilateral relations and the image of the U.S. in Saudi Arabia." King Abdullah notes that 60,000 Saudi students abroad, about one third of whom were in the U.S., and "others would have gone" but for the difficulties in gaining access to the U.S. For many years very senior Saudi officials, including Prince Saud al-Faisal, had studied in the U.S. Saudi Ambassador to the U.S., Adel al Jubeir (who was interpreting for the King) had studied in the U.S. and was "Half American" as a result. He is also aware of, and appreciated, Ambassador Fraker's efforts to improve the visa situation "Even though there were people in Washington who fought him." He finalizes that anyone from Saudi Arabia who studies in the U.S. inevitably becomes a friend and advocate of the United States and that we only hurt ourselves by cutting off this flow of students.
Guantanamo is next thing on the list. Brennan explains that President Obama had made a commitment to close Guantanamo to eliminate the potential propaganda benefits its existence provided to Al-Qaeda, but also because it was the right thing to do. Brennan reassures the King, That President Obama would remain strong on counterterrorism. Brennan presents the King with a letter from President Obama addressing the issue of Yemeni detainees at Guantanamo. Brennan notes that he met with Prince Mohammed bin Nayef (MbN) the day before to discuss at length The issue of the Yemeni detainees. Brennan further states that he would be traveling to Sanaa the next day to meet with President Saleh, as the issue of the remaining 99 Yemeni detainees still needed to be resolved.
Brennan praises MbN as an outstanding counter-terrorism partner, and that the MOI was doing a wonderful, courageous job in countering the terrorist threat to the Kingdom. Returning subject Brennan warns that the U.S. fears Yemen could become another Waziristan, and urged that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia needed to work together to keep Al-Qaeda in Yemen from growing even more dangerous. The King replies "That having Somalia next door to Yemen only adds to the danger." Brennan says that the capabilities of the Ministry of the Interior security forces had grown impressively over the past 10 years. Brennan adds that counterterrorism and intelligence sharing cooperation between our countries had never been better and that MbN deserved the credit. In an unusual concession, made at the conclusion of their conversation, the King said, "be assured I am fully briefed on the work you are doing with Prince Mohammed bin Nayef.
King Abdullah's next suggestion is something out of Orwell's 1984 "I've just thought of something," the King adds, "Implanting detainees with an electronic chip containing information about them and allowing their movements to be tracked with Bluetooth. This was done with horses and falcons, the King said. Brennan replies, "Horses don,t have good lawyers," and that such a proposal would face legal hurdles in the U.S., but agrees that keeping track of detainees was an extremely important issue that he would review with appropriate officials when he returned to the United States.
The King states that Iranian FM Mottaki had been "Sitting in that same seat (as Brennan) a few moments ago." The King described his conversation with FM Mottaki as "A heated exchange, frankly discussing Iran's interference in Arab affairs." When challenged by the King on Iranian meddling in Hamas affairs, Mottaki apparently protested that "These are Muslims." "No, Arabs" countered the King, "You as Persians have no business meddling in Arab matters." The King said the Iranians wanted to improve relations and that he responded by giving Mottaki an ultimatum. "I will give you one year" (to improve ties), "After that, it will be the end." The King expressed hope the U.S. would review its Iran policy and "Come to the right conclusion." Brennan responds that "President Obama was personally reviewing U.S. Iran policy and wanted to hear the King's thoughts". King Abdullah asserts that Iran is trying to set up Hizballah-like organizations in African countries, observing that the Iranians don't think they are doing anything wrong and don't recognize their mistakes.
"I said (to Mottaki) that's your problem," recounts the King. King Abdullah sais 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 continues, "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."
The King said "Three years ago" Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei had sent his adviser Ali Akbar Velayati with a letter asking for Abdullah's agreement to establish a formal back channel for communication between the two leaders. Abdullah said he had agreed, and the channel was established with Velayati and Saudi FM Saud al-Faisal as the points of contact. In the years since, the King noted, the channel had never been used.
Brennan responds that the Saudis live in a dangerous neighborhood with Iran across the Gulf, with Saudi Arabia sharing a long border with Yemen, and with a number of other troublesome countries nearby. Brennan say "We have a lot of work to do in the Middle East together". The King responds that the world's attention was focused on the region. He believes that the U.S. could help in this sensitive region, but that we should not take matters lightly. Brennan reassures King Abdullah that President Obama is fully aware of the dangers in the region, that the U.S. knew that it had to remain involved in constructing a solution, and that we would seek the King's counsel in dealing with the many issues in the Middle East.
The King asks if that included Iran. Brennan responded that it doe's. Brennan says "We had our eyes wide open to Iranian ambitions, that we were not nave to the dangers Iran posed to Saudi Arabia, and that Iran could not be allowed to succeed in its destabilizing activites. Brennan states that "The President had ordered a complete review of U.S. Iran policy and made reference to a passage in the President's letter that we needed to test Iran's intentions to cease its destabilizing behavior and live up to its international obligations. Brennan goes on to state that the U.S.-Saudi partnership had to remain strong and that together, and with others, we needed to thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions. "That is important," responds the King. Finally, Brennan said the President wanted the King to know he had a good friend in the White House who would be willing to assist in any way that he could. The King thanked Mr. Brennan, said he appreciated the sentiments, said that he had great respect for President Obama, and reflected that we had been great friends for many years and would remain friends as our disagreements were minor.
Brennan expresses the importance the U.S. attaches to achieving peace and stability
in Iraq. The King replied that this was "In the hands of God," though He agreed that Iraq was vitally important to both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. The King also pointed out that "Some say the U.S. invasion handed Iraq to Iran on a silver platter,this after we fought Saddam Hussein."
King Abdullah goes on to say that He has "No confidence whatsoever in (Iraqi PM) Maliki, and the Ambassador (Fraker) is well aware of his views." The King affirmed that he had refused former President Bush's entreaties that he meet with Maliki. The King said he had met Maliki early in Maliki's term of office, and the Iraqi had given him a written list of commitments for reconciliation in Iraq, but had failed to follow through on any of them. For this reason, the King said, Maliki had no credibility. "I don't trust this man," the King stated, "He's an Iranian agent." The King said he had told both Bush and former Vice president Cheney "How can I meet with someone I don't trust?" Maliki has "Opened the door for Iranian influence in Iraq" since taking power, the King said, and he was "Not hopeful at all" for Maliki, "Or I would have met with him."
The King appears alert and at times animated, entertaining his guests with anecdotes about his encounters with Iranian leaders(septel), and throwing up his hands in complaint when asked if he spent time with his horses He replies "I see them on television when they race," He said. "I love horses," He exclaimed, "Every couple of weeks I get to see them, and then I have a very calm and restful sleep."
In response to Brennan's praise for the King,s interfaith dialogue initiative, his commitment to advancing rights as reflected by his recent appointment of the first female (deputy education) minister, the King said "Thanks for the sentiment but I did nothing special, only what I thought was my duty. I believe we do our duty as determined by God.".
This ends the meeting. The depth of this document shows the multi-faceted relations that play key roles on decision and policy making in all areas of the world. An insight that should help to excel the truthfulness of diplomatic sessions that need be brought to light. The complete document can be found at Wikileaks, along with other jewels from embassies from around the world.
In the coming weeks the world will wade and read countless stories and interpret other documents. Some will be used as a told you so, others as propaganda. Many things in this world will never be the same. Out of this darkness will come light.
This is just one of the secret jewels that has been released from Wikileaks. Marked "Secret" 09RIYADH447 cable number it was sent out of the U.S. Riyadh,Saudia Arabia embassy March 22nd 2009. In it a fascinating conversation between Saudi King Abdullah and White House Counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan that takes place at the Saudi Kings Palace on March 15th 2009.
This 90-minute discussion focused on U.S. Saudi-relations, counter-terrorism cooperation, the Yemeni Guantanamo Bay detainees, Iran, and Iraq.
This inside look is just one document that has been released by the Wikileaks website that will be making the light of day in the coming weeks and having public relation teams and government officials scrambling for damage control.
In the "Secret" document Saudi King Abdullah tells Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki that Iran should stop interfering in Arab affairs and gives Iran 1 year to improve Iran/Saudi relations before it is over. Warns restoring U.S. credibility in the world was critically important, Praises God for President Obama and expressed a complete lack of trust in Iraqi PM al-Maliki going as far to call al-Maliki an "Iranian Agent" and even goes a far as suggesting to implant gitmo detainees with electronic tacking devices and much more.
The meeting starts and is hosted in the in the kings royal palace. This first order is US/Saudi relations. Brennan assures King Abdullah that Saudi/US relations will remain strong as President Obama's personal commitment to Saudi Arabia as a friend in the White House. The King responds with great respect for President Obama. "We (the U.S. and Saudi Arabia) spilled blood together in Kuwait and Iraq. Saudi Arabia valued this tremendously. Friendship can be a difficult issue that requires work, Abdullah said, but the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have done it for 70 years over three generations. "Our disagreements don't cut to the bone,"
"The Bush Administration is now in the past",the King said. U.S. creditability is another topic they touch on. "Both President Bushes were his friends, but the recent President Bush didn't take his advice on dealing with issues in the region, and they found their problems compounded." King Abdulla goes on "We are ready to consult, provide guidance and to do whatever is necessary. We are people of the region and we know it well."
Brennan's response is that "President Obama wants to listen, and asks what advice the King would offer to President Obama". King Abdullah states "his one piece of advice was that restoring U.S. credibility in the world was critically important". Brennan responds that "This was an important issue for President Obama as well". Brennan says that "Under President Obama we will restore our credibility, The U.S. is a great country and we know what we have to do".
Brennan Relays to King Abdullah that "President Obama looked forward to seeing the King at the G-20 summit in London". The Saudi King replied "Thank God for bringing Obama to the presidency which has created "great hope" in the Muslim world. "May God grant him strength and patience, King Abdullah continues to say, "May God protect him. I'm concerned about his personal safety. America and the world need such a president."
They touch on immigration policy for Saudi citizens travelling to the United States. King Abdullah says "As a friend" that "It was a mistake" to limit access of Saudi citizens to the U.S., since "This damages bilateral relations and the image of the U.S. in Saudi Arabia." King Abdullah notes that 60,000 Saudi students abroad, about one third of whom were in the U.S., and "others would have gone" but for the difficulties in gaining access to the U.S. For many years very senior Saudi officials, including Prince Saud al-Faisal, had studied in the U.S. Saudi Ambassador to the U.S., Adel al Jubeir (who was interpreting for the King) had studied in the U.S. and was "Half American" as a result. He is also aware of, and appreciated, Ambassador Fraker's efforts to improve the visa situation "Even though there were people in Washington who fought him." He finalizes that anyone from Saudi Arabia who studies in the U.S. inevitably becomes a friend and advocate of the United States and that we only hurt ourselves by cutting off this flow of students.
Guantanamo is next thing on the list. Brennan explains that President Obama had made a commitment to close Guantanamo to eliminate the potential propaganda benefits its existence provided to Al-Qaeda, but also because it was the right thing to do. Brennan reassures the King, That President Obama would remain strong on counterterrorism. Brennan presents the King with a letter from President Obama addressing the issue of Yemeni detainees at Guantanamo. Brennan notes that he met with Prince Mohammed bin Nayef (MbN) the day before to discuss at length The issue of the Yemeni detainees. Brennan further states that he would be traveling to Sanaa the next day to meet with President Saleh, as the issue of the remaining 99 Yemeni detainees still needed to be resolved.
Brennan praises MbN as an outstanding counter-terrorism partner, and that the MOI was doing a wonderful, courageous job in countering the terrorist threat to the Kingdom. Returning subject Brennan warns that the U.S. fears Yemen could become another Waziristan, and urged that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia needed to work together to keep Al-Qaeda in Yemen from growing even more dangerous. The King replies "That having Somalia next door to Yemen only adds to the danger." Brennan says that the capabilities of the Ministry of the Interior security forces had grown impressively over the past 10 years. Brennan adds that counterterrorism and intelligence sharing cooperation between our countries had never been better and that MbN deserved the credit. In an unusual concession, made at the conclusion of their conversation, the King said, "be assured I am fully briefed on the work you are doing with Prince Mohammed bin Nayef.
King Abdullah's next suggestion is something out of Orwell's 1984 "I've just thought of something," the King adds, "Implanting detainees with an electronic chip containing information about them and allowing their movements to be tracked with Bluetooth. This was done with horses and falcons, the King said. Brennan replies, "Horses don,t have good lawyers," and that such a proposal would face legal hurdles in the U.S., but agrees that keeping track of detainees was an extremely important issue that he would review with appropriate officials when he returned to the United States.
The King states that Iranian FM Mottaki had been "Sitting in that same seat (as Brennan) a few moments ago." The King described his conversation with FM Mottaki as "A heated exchange, frankly discussing Iran's interference in Arab affairs." When challenged by the King on Iranian meddling in Hamas affairs, Mottaki apparently protested that "These are Muslims." "No, Arabs" countered the King, "You as Persians have no business meddling in Arab matters." The King said the Iranians wanted to improve relations and that he responded by giving Mottaki an ultimatum. "I will give you one year" (to improve ties), "After that, it will be the end." The King expressed hope the U.S. would review its Iran policy and "Come to the right conclusion." Brennan responds that "President Obama was personally reviewing U.S. Iran policy and wanted to hear the King's thoughts". King Abdullah asserts that Iran is trying to set up Hizballah-like organizations in African countries, observing that the Iranians don't think they are doing anything wrong and don't recognize their mistakes.
"I said (to Mottaki) that's your problem," recounts the King. King Abdullah sais 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 continues, "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."
The King said "Three years ago" Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei had sent his adviser Ali Akbar Velayati with a letter asking for Abdullah's agreement to establish a formal back channel for communication between the two leaders. Abdullah said he had agreed, and the channel was established with Velayati and Saudi FM Saud al-Faisal as the points of contact. In the years since, the King noted, the channel had never been used.
Brennan responds that the Saudis live in a dangerous neighborhood with Iran across the Gulf, with Saudi Arabia sharing a long border with Yemen, and with a number of other troublesome countries nearby. Brennan say "We have a lot of work to do in the Middle East together". The King responds that the world's attention was focused on the region. He believes that the U.S. could help in this sensitive region, but that we should not take matters lightly. Brennan reassures King Abdullah that President Obama is fully aware of the dangers in the region, that the U.S. knew that it had to remain involved in constructing a solution, and that we would seek the King's counsel in dealing with the many issues in the Middle East.
The King asks if that included Iran. Brennan responded that it doe's. Brennan says "We had our eyes wide open to Iranian ambitions, that we were not nave to the dangers Iran posed to Saudi Arabia, and that Iran could not be allowed to succeed in its destabilizing activites. Brennan states that "The President had ordered a complete review of U.S. Iran policy and made reference to a passage in the President's letter that we needed to test Iran's intentions to cease its destabilizing behavior and live up to its international obligations. Brennan goes on to state that the U.S.-Saudi partnership had to remain strong and that together, and with others, we needed to thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions. "That is important," responds the King. Finally, Brennan said the President wanted the King to know he had a good friend in the White House who would be willing to assist in any way that he could. The King thanked Mr. Brennan, said he appreciated the sentiments, said that he had great respect for President Obama, and reflected that we had been great friends for many years and would remain friends as our disagreements were minor.
Brennan expresses the importance the U.S. attaches to achieving peace and stability
in Iraq. The King replied that this was "In the hands of God," though He agreed that Iraq was vitally important to both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. The King also pointed out that "Some say the U.S. invasion handed Iraq to Iran on a silver platter,this after we fought Saddam Hussein."
King Abdullah goes on to say that He has "No confidence whatsoever in (Iraqi PM) Maliki, and the Ambassador (Fraker) is well aware of his views." The King affirmed that he had refused former President Bush's entreaties that he meet with Maliki. The King said he had met Maliki early in Maliki's term of office, and the Iraqi had given him a written list of commitments for reconciliation in Iraq, but had failed to follow through on any of them. For this reason, the King said, Maliki had no credibility. "I don't trust this man," the King stated, "He's an Iranian agent." The King said he had told both Bush and former Vice president Cheney "How can I meet with someone I don't trust?" Maliki has "Opened the door for Iranian influence in Iraq" since taking power, the King said, and he was "Not hopeful at all" for Maliki, "Or I would have met with him."
The King appears alert and at times animated, entertaining his guests with anecdotes about his encounters with Iranian leaders(septel), and throwing up his hands in complaint when asked if he spent time with his horses He replies "I see them on television when they race," He said. "I love horses," He exclaimed, "Every couple of weeks I get to see them, and then I have a very calm and restful sleep."
In response to Brennan's praise for the King,s interfaith dialogue initiative, his commitment to advancing rights as reflected by his recent appointment of the first female (deputy education) minister, the King said "Thanks for the sentiment but I did nothing special, only what I thought was my duty. I believe we do our duty as determined by God.".
This ends the meeting. The depth of this document shows the multi-faceted relations that play key roles on decision and policy making in all areas of the world. An insight that should help to excel the truthfulness of diplomatic sessions that need be brought to light. The complete document can be found at Wikileaks, along with other jewels from embassies from around the world.
In the coming weeks the world will wade and read countless stories and interpret other documents. Some will be used as a told you so, others as propaganda. Many things in this world will never be the same. Out of this darkness will come light.
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