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To: Ken Robbins who wrote (22941)	5/27/1998 9:54:00 PM
From: 007	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 95453

Intelligence Report: Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia Global Intelligence Update May 28, 1998 Saudi Arabia and Iran Expand Bilateral Cooperation Iran's diplomatic campaign to escape its encirclement and isolation, which took a back seat recently to political infighting in Tehran, resumed this week with a visit to Tehran by Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud al- Faisal. On Wednesday, May 27, the two countries' Foreign Ministers signed a wide-reaching bilateral agreement promoting cooperation in the fields of trade and business, economy, joint investment, science, technology, culture, tourism, and sports. Other areas slated for bilateral cooperation include industries, mining, air and sea transportation links, and environmental protection. During Prince Saud's two day visit to Iran, both he and Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi expressed their countries' commitment to continued and expanded cooperation in economic and political matters. Prince Saud reportedly told Kharrazi that Saudi King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah "are decisive to upgrade ties with Iran," and that they are "eagerly awaiting a visit to Saudi Arabia by [Iranian President] Khatami to further boost bilateral ties." Kharrazi reportedly responded that close and friendly Iranian-Saudi relations were "sincere and serious," and that Iran stands ready to "upgrade bilateral relations to the highest level." Ongoing contacts between Iran and Saudi Arabia surged forward during and after a February visit to Saudi Arabia by former Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. Now that Tehran evidently has its internal power struggle at least temporarily in check, Iran is eager not to lose momentum in its bid to win allies in the Gulf. For its part, Saudi Arabia clearly remains open to Iranian overtures, and Riyadh's recently released conclusion that Iran was not involved in the bombing of the American troops in Dhahran cleared one potential obstacle to closer relations between the two countries. The United States has also once again eased its pressure on Iran, choosing not to place sanctions on foreign firms investing in Iran, and possibly poised to approve a Central Asian-Iranian oil transshipment deal involving Mobil. The U.S. is also drawing down its forces in the Gulf. While all of this may be a concerted attempt to support Khatami's moderate regime, we note with some concern the series of large-scale offensive military maneuvers Iran has been carrying out in the Gulf and near the Iraqi border. Is it only coincidental that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are encouraging Iran just as the Iranians are stabilizing their domestic situation, calling on a spirit of nationalism, and practicing night airmobile assaults? Source: stratfor.com