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O 041626Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7878
INFO AMCONSUL JEDDAH IMMEDIATE
WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

S E C R E T RIYADH 000365 
 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP AND ISN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2018 
TAGS: KCIP KGIC KNNP SA PREL IR PINR PGOV
SUBJECT: SAUDI LEADERSHIP KEENLY INTERESTED IN PEACEFUL 
NUCLEAR COOPERATION WITH THE US 
 
Classified By: DCM Michael Gfoeller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
¶1.  (S)  Summary: Acting Assistant Secretary for 
International Security and Nonproliferation Patricia McNerney 
led an 8-person delegation to Riyadh, February 26-27, to 
consult with senior Saudi Arabian Government (SAG) officials 
about possible U.S. engagement with the Kingdom on civilian 
nuclear energy cooperation.  Senior SAG leadership, including 
the Foreign Minister, enthusiastically expressed their 
interest in establishing a dialogue with the USG on this 
subject and moving as rapidly as possible toward robust 
bilateral cooperation on civilian nuclear power.  They were 
also highly receptive to USG nonproliferation arguments.  End 
Summary. 
 
----------- 
The Message 
----------- 
 
¶2.  (S)  During four meetings in Riyadh, the delegation 
announced the USG's interest in helping the Kingdom to 
develop a civil nuclear energy infrastructure, in a framework 
consistent with U.S. nonproliferation policy and IAEA 
standards.  The delegation also addressed the Global 
Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and the Proliferation 
Security Initiative.  Ambassador Wolcott, the Special Envoy 
of the Undersecretary for Arms Control and International 
Security, explained to the senior SAG leadership the 
US-Russian Joint Declaration on Nuclear Energy and 
Nonproliferation and its implications for the development of 
civilian nuclear power in Saudi Arabia. 
 
--------------------------- 
MFA: Extremely Enthusiastic 
--------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (S)  Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal 
responded to the delegation's presentation by stating that, 
"The danger of proliferation in the region is palpable, 
especially after the Iranian adventure."  He enthusiastically 
supported the idea of US-Saudi cooperation on nuclear energy 
and expressed confidence that the two governments would be 
able to agree on nonproliferation issues quickly.  He also 
noted that consistency in applying the policy of 
non-proliferation would have a strong impact on the region. 
The Prince noted his continued interest in a Saudi plan for a 
regional nuclear consortium to guarantee the nuclear fuel 
supply for each member state; Iran, he joked, supported this 
plan, but only so long as the consortium would be based in 
Iran.  The Foreign Minister agreed strongly with the notion 
that US-Saudi cooperation on nuclear power and 
nonproliferation could serve as a powerful and influential 
counterbalance to Iran's flouting of international law and 
the United Nations in its own nuclear weapons program. 
 
¶4.  (S)  Prince Saud added that the responsible officials in 
his government will be very happy to coordinate with the USG 
on all matters regarding nuclear cooperation and 
nonproliferation.  He expressed some concern about potential 
problems related to Congressional approval of the eventual 
US-Saudi 123 Agreement, but added that the SAG wants the 
bilateral dialogue to progress quickly and is ready to 
cooperate.  He added that the SAG has already formed a 
working group to deal with its "nuclear project," which 
should be able to get to work immediately on the draft 
memorandum of understanding regarding bilateral nuclear 
cooperation.  Finally, he said that US nonproliferation 
standards appear to "conform to Saudi foreign policy." 
 
----------------------------------------- 
Ministry of Interior: Very Smart Proposal 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (S)  Assistant Interior Minister for Counter-Terrorism 
Prince Mohamed bin Naif shared the Foreign Minister's 
enthusiasm for US-Saudi nuclear cooperation.  The Prince 
noted that security remains the top concern for the MOI.  The 
Ministry has brought creativity and resourcefulness to 
solving complex problems in the past, he noted, and it would 
similarly do so in this case.  He lent early praise to the 
USG-SAG partnership for civil nuclear energy, summarizing the 
delegation's presentation as a "very smart proposal."  He 
also stated that he is personally opposed the idea of the 
Kingdom acquiring nuclear weapons.  "Such weapons are 
dangerous, and we should not have them," he said, adding, 
"what we need is civilian nuclear technology.  This is what 
you are offering us, and I welcome it."  He also said, 
smiling slightly, that, "If ever this country wanted to 
 
 
acquire nuclear weapons, I would know, since they would have 
to ask me to guard them.  I am against it." 
 
----------------------------- 
Intelligence Chief Supportive 
----------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (S)  When the delegation met with General Intelligence 
Presidency Director Prince Muqrin bin Abd al-Aziz, they 
received similarly promising feedback.  Prince Muqrin said 
that as the Kingdom's growing industrial zones are 
power-thirsty, civilian nuclear power is essential for the 
country's future.  He also underlined the need to desalinate 
vast amounts of water for the growing Saudi population and to 
establish an industrial base that can survive the inevitable 
end of the oil era.  The Director identified earthquake fault 
lines, environmental concerns, and personnel security as key 
elements of concern in terms of the security of future 
nuclear sites.  He also expressed eagerness to begin a 
dialogue with the U.S. on this issue. 
 
------------------------------- 
KACST - Preliminary Discussions 
------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (S)  Both the policy and the subject-expert teams met 
with Dr. Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed Al-Saud, Vice 
President for Research Institutes at the King Abdulaziz City 
for Science and Technology (KACST).  KACST houses the 
Kingdom's repository of atomic research, although it is 
currently limited in scope to nuclear medicine and related 
disciplines.  Prince Turki noted that the Kingdom sees 
nuclear and solar energy as the only two alternatives to 
oil-derived electricity generation and that they are urgently 
needed for large scale development projects and for "future 
generations."  The Prince noted his concern of "foregoing 
rights" as a precondition for cooperation, adding that, "It 
is important to see cooperation without restrictions on us 
that do not exist on other countries."  The delegation noted 
that the U.S. does not cooperate with Israel's nuclear 
programs and that the language of the memorandum of 
understanding would reaffirm all rights of the Kingdom. 
 
---------------------------- 
KACST ) Experts' Discussions 
---------------------------- 
 
¶8.  (S)  Prince Turki led an experts' discussion on nuclear 
energy development, stating that, "He would prefer to work 
with the USG on nuclear issues."  He feared development of a 
nuclear cartel without an agreement in place to ensure access 
to nuclear fuel for the SAG.  He noted that he wanted to 
avoid U.S. Congressional involvement in this program because 
of his perception that Congress is biased against the SAG and 
would likely impede engagement.  He also expressed fears that 
any type of agreement, even if it is not binding, could be 
used against the SAG in the future. 
 
¶9.  (S)  Comment: The remarks made by the senior political 
leadership of the SAG make it clear that the Saudis are ready 
to work expeditiously with the USG to develop a robust 
program of cooperation on civilian nuclear power.  The Saudi 
government appears to be favoring cooperation with the USG in 
this area for political as well as technological reasons. 
With one eye at least always on the growing threat from Iran 
and its nuclear weapons program, the SAG seems to see nuclear 
cooperation with the US as a guarantee of its future security 
in an increasingly dangerous region.  End Comment. 
FRAKER 
 
 
NNNN 
 



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