VZCZCXRO0784
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHRH #2486/01 3471054
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 131054Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7244
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHHH/OPEC COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY 0190
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
RHRMAKS/COMUSNAVCENT  PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 05 RIYADH 002486 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NEA FOR DAS GGRAY 
DEPT OF ENERGY PASS TO A/S KKOLEVAR, A/S KHARBERT, AND 
MWILLIAMSON 
S/CT FOR GFEIERSTEIN AND BAVERILL 
DS/ATA FOR KMALOY 
TREASURY PASS TO A/S CLOWERY 
DHS PASS TO TWARRICK AND DGRANT 
CIA PASS TO TCOYNE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2017 
TAGS: KCIP EPET ENERG PTER SA
SUBJECT: FOLLOW ON MEETING TO INTERAGENCY VISIT 
 
REF: A. RIYADH 2475 
     ¶B. RIYADH 2474 
     ¶C. RIYADH 1974 
 
Classified By: DCM Michael Gfoeller for reasons 
1.4 (b) (c) and (d). 
 
¶1.  (U)  This is an action request.  Please see paragraphs 
two and three. 
 
------ 
Summary 
-------- 
 
¶2.  (S)  Embassy Riyadh notes the impending January POTUS 
visit provides a unique opportunity to help us move approval 
for a high-priority Ministry of Interior(MOI)-inter-agency 
cooperation agreement through an often sclerotic Saudi 
bureaucracy at an accelerated pace.  In a December 11 meeting 
with the Saudi Minister of Interior, MOI officials provided 
additional information and clarification regarding their 
request to deepen cooperation with several agencies 
represented during a December 3-5 visit to Riyadh (reftels A 
and B).  MOI officials also provided preliminary answers to a 
list of questions submitted by the visiting delegation. 
 
---------------- 
Action Requests 
---------------- 
 
¶3.  (S)  Action Request: Embassy Riyadh requests NEA 
coordinate with the interagency group to provide a draft text 
of an inter-agency-MOI agreement to Embassy Riyadh for 
submission to the MOI by December 31.  Submission of a draft 
document would allow us to include this inter-agency 
agreement as an agenda item for POTUS in discussions with 
King Abdullah or relevant ministers.  While we recognize this 
document is unlikely to be ready for final signature by the 
mid-January POTUS visit, we could significantly accelerate 
approval of the agreement if we had a draft under 
consideration during this historic visit.  Embassy Riyadh 
trusts the additional details below from the MOI should prove 
useful in guiding the inter-agency discussion and drafting of 
an initial text. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Action Request:  Embassy Riyadh requests the 
Department of the Treasury urgently provide a copy of the 
original financial documentation for the 1970s U.S.-Saudi 
Joint Economic Commission (JECOR).  This organization is 
currently being studied as a possible model for a new 
inter-agency technical assistance group.  Additional details 
and documentation, particularly regarding the project's 
financial structure,  would be most appreciated.  Information 
may be sent to Economic Counselor Robert Murphy at 
murphyrb2@state.gov or Energy Attache Shannon Ross at 
rosssm2@state.gov. 
 
----------------------------- 
Keen Interest in JECOR Model 
----------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (S)  On December 11, Pol Counselor Rundell and Energy 
Attache Ross met with MOI officials Dr. Saud al Semari, 
Director of Modernization and Joint Working Group Co-Chair; 
Dr. Kahlid Al-Ageel, Manager, High Commission on Industrial 
Security; Abdullah Al-Hammad, Budget Director; and Captain 
Bandar Al-Subaie, Assistant to Major General Dr. Saad 
Al-Jabri, Senior Security Advisor to the Assistant Minister 
of Interior Prince Mohammed bin Nayif.  MG Dr. Al-Jabri also 
 
RIYADH 00002486  002 OF 005 
 
 
later joined the meeting.  The MOI remains eager to move the 
inter-agency cooperation project forward quickly. 
 
¶6.  (C)  The MOI is clearly eager to learn more about the 
1970s to 1990s era JECOR project, and our interlocutors have 
expressed a strong desire to meet with both former U.S. 
officials and Saudi officials who worked on JECOR projects to 
better understand how they functioned.  End of year holiday 
and Hajj travel have complicated scheduling this meeting, but 
we anticipate holding a meeting for our MOI counterparts to 
meet former U.S. officials by early January.  The MOI also 
requested we ask our former officials to write a short 
account of how JECOR functioned during their time there; we 
have agreed to relay this request. 
 
------------------------------------------- 
Tightening the Focus of Assistance to CIP 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (S)  Dr. Al-Semari stated the primary focus of the MOI's 
request for assistance concerned critical infrastructure 
protection (CIP), which involved the work of many of the 
MOI's directorates.  He emphasized the request goes beyond 
the Facilities Security Force (FSF), the entity which the SAG 
is in the process of creating to protect critical 
infrastructure facilities. 
 
------------------------ 
Questionnaire Feedback 
------------------------- 
 
¶8.  (S)  While waiting for the MOI to complete a white paper 
in response to our questions presented by the interagency 
group during the December 5 meeting (reftel B), they provided 
some initial feedback to most of the questions as follows: 
 
¶A.    Program Organization 
 
--Does the MOI prefer the single point of contact (aka JECOR) 
model for interfacing with various agencies of the USG, or 
would the MOI prefer to negotiate separate agreements with 
each USG agency?  Does the MOI prefer to work with a unified 
funding mechanism for administering all programs? 
 
Answer: Yes, the MOI prefers a single point of contact. 
However, our interlocutors seemed less certain regarding 
their preferred funding model.  Dr. Al-Semari asked for 
additional details on JECOR's financial model.  Pol Counselor 
Rundell detailed several of the mechanics of the project: 
funds were transferred from the SAG to the USG as a lump sum 
into a "trust fund" covering many projects, but each project 
was individually  budgeted with a detailed financial plan. 
Dr. Al-Semari asked how this model differed from the 
administration model currently used by several of the SAG's 
European partners.  The MOI appears to be in an 
information-gathering phase regarding their preferred 
financial model. 
 
--Is it possible to obtain a copy of the Bearing Point report 
produced for the MOI?  Has Bearing Point produced other 
reports for the MOI on other modernization issues of which we 
should be aware?  When completed, could we obtain a copy of 
your Strategic Plan, which we understand is currently in 
process? 
 
Answer: The strategic plan is still in process, but the MOI 
appeared amenable to sharing it once it is completed.  The 
officials seemed unsure about precise Bearing Point report we 
were requesting. 
 
RIYADH 00002486  003 OF 005 
 
 
 
¶B.    Program Mission 
 
--Can you please provide a mission statement for the Facility 
Security Force?  What are the other elements within the MOI 
that you envision the USG cooperating with as part of this 
cooperation program?  If so, can you please describe these 
elements? 
 
Answer: The MOI will provide a mission statement for the FSF. 
 Dr. Al-Semari then provided an overview of the major MOI 
directorates, to include: 
 
--Public Security - law enforcement, highway patrol, special 
emergency forces, special response forces; 
 
--Border Guard  - including land-based and Coast Guard 
components; 
 
--Civil Defense - including fire and emergency response; 
 
--Facilities Security Force - A recently-established 35,000 
man force to protect critical infrastructure facilities; 
 
--"Mujahaddin," or Protective Security - Provides protective 
security details in remote or under-populated areas.  For 
example, the Mujahaddin escorts Saudi Aramco drilling rigs on 
operations in the remote Rhub-al-Kali zone, the "Empty 
Quarter." 
 
--Special Security Forces - Provides protection for 
high-threat buildings and installations, such as government 
and diplomatic  installations.  Includes an anti-terrorist 
component, and special forces. 
 
--Prisons Directorate; 
 
--Passports and Immigration; 
 
--Narcotics Control; 
 
--Intelligence; and 
 
-- Administration and Service Delivery. 
 
Dr. Al-Ageel has indicated high priority directorates for 
cooperation early in the program are likely to be Public 
Security, the Border Guard, Civil Defense, FSF, and the 
Mujahaddin.  Dr. Al-Semari and Dr. Al-Ageel also highlighted 
the role of the MOI's High Commission on Industrial Security 
(HCIS), the regulator for safety and security standards for 
all of the KSA's major industrial sites, including critical 
sites such as water, power, and energy facilities.   The HCIS 
had a role in reaction to, mitigation of, and recovery after 
industrial accidents, natural disasters, or terrorist 
attacks.  (Note: The HCIS reports directly to the Assistant 
Minister of Interior, and is not in a directorate.  End 
note.) 
 
¶C.    Program Orientation 
 
Foreign Military Sales: 
 
--What specific MOI units would seek to purchase defense 
equipment and services?  Can you please describe the mission 
of these units?  Have you identified notional equipment and 
training requirements?  If so, can you describe these 
requirements? 
 
 
RIYADH 00002486  004 OF 005 
 
 
Answer: The MOI is likely to seek an FMS capability.   The 
MOI will work on providing additional details on MOI units' 
capabilities and weapon systems the MOI may seek to purchase. 
 
Maritime Issues: 
 
--Will the existing Coast Guard handle the maritime aspects 
of protecting critical infrastructure, or do you plan to 
develop a maritime capability within the Facility Security 
Force? 
 
Answer: The FSF will share responsibility for maritime 
facilities with the Coast Guard.  The FSF is taking over 
gradual control for maritime control of critical facilities 
as it grows its capabilities. 
 
--Do you plan to develop a capability for maritime 
interdiction through helicopters? 
 
Answer: Yes. 
 
Command and Control: 
 
--We understand the MOI may have developed an integrated 
"command and control" center ("fusion center") where all of 
its various units are represented.  Is it possible to see 
this center?  Are the MODA and SANG represented in this 
center also?  Are key  basic services, such as SWC or SEC 
(water, power, etc.), or strategic state industries, such as 
Saudi Aramco or SABIC, represented at this command center? 
 
Answer: Yes, there is an integrated command and control 
center within the MOI.  MODA and SANG are represented. 
Industry does not appear to be represented in it at this 
time. 
 
CyberSecurity: 
 
--Would you envision this program eventually encompassing a 
cybersecurity component?  Which elements of the MOI or other 
agencies would have the lead on this component?  Has any work 
or legal infrastructure been established in this area yet for 
critical infrastructure protection? 
 
Answer: There is a general law regarding cybersecurity in 
place in the KSA.  It includes some measures relevant to 
industrial facilities.  The law is still new, and is in the 
process of being implemented.  The MOI plans for the FSF to 
eventually have some cybercrime responsibilities relevant to 
critical infrastructure, but for now, the focus remains on 
securing physical installations. 
 
-------------------------------- 
Wrapping Up and Moving Forward 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶9.  (S)  As the conversation concluded, Dr. Al-Jabri noted, 
"The King is happy with the approach being discussed, he 
himself is behind the FSF.  The Ministry of Finance is also 
happy with the approach."  Dr. Al-Semari quipped,  "When it 
comes to energy protection, everyone is supportive."  In 
laying out the path forward, Dr. Al-Jabri explained, "It is 
important to know how our bureaucracy works, the MOF and MOI 
should write together to the Royal Court (to propose the 
inter-agency cooperation).  We're trying to deal with this in 
an efficient way, with a bottom up approach."  Dr. Al-Jabri 
then clarified that he was in favor of a separate but 
parallel agreement to the December 2006 MOU which established 
the Joint Working Group.  PolCounselor Rundell wrapped up by 
 
RIYADH 00002486  005 OF 005 
 
 
stating that we should view the impending POTUS visit as an 
"engine to drive forward issues," noting we may be able to 
get things done before February which will normally be 
impossible. 
 
FRAKER