Live Updates on Wikileaks’ latest disclosures

Wikileaks has created history by publishing a huge cache of classified US diplomatic cables that chronicles the world’s most powerful nation’s relations with the world. The database of documents is so huge that it would take days to go through it. Canary Trap brings you important pointers from the documents:

A cache of confidential diplomatic cables amounts to a secret chronicle of the United States’ relations with the world in an age of war and terrorism.

1. Account of the meeting of Frances Fragos Townsend, Assistant to the US President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (AFHSC) and Mossad Director Meir Dagan on July 12 for a general discussion of regional security threats.

Document Date: Thursday, 26 July 2007, 13:52

Excerpt: According to Dagan, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf States all fear Iran, but want someone else “to do the job for them.” Townsend and Dagan discussed the current state of affairs in the Saudi royal court, where the Mossad Chief accused Foreign Minister Saud bin Faysal of playing a “very negative role.” He also pointed to the recent visit of the Saudi King Abdullah to Jordan as a historical first and turning point for relations between the two countries. Townsend agreed, and said that the Saudi king has a sense of urgency on the political front. Dagan characterized Qatar as “a real problem,” and accused Sheikh Hamid of “annoying everyone.”

In his view, Qatar is trying to play all sides — Syria, Iran, Hamas — in an effort to achieve security and some degree of independence. “I think you should remove your bases from there…seriously,” said Dagan. “They have confidence only because of the U.S. presence.” Dagan predicted, with some humor, that al-Jazeera would be the next cause of war in the Middle East as some Arab leaders (specifically Saudi Arabia) are willing to take drastic steps to shut down the channel, and hold Sheikh Hamid personally responsible for its provocations.

2. Account of the meeting of US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker and General David Petraeus with Saudi King Abdullah bin Abd al-Aziz, Senior Princes and top Saudi officials.

Document Date: Sunday, 20 April 2008, 08:47

Excerpt: Al-Jubeir recalled the King’s frequent exhortations to the US to attack Iran and so put an end to its nuclear weapons program. “He told you to cut off the head of the snake,” he recalled to the Charge’, adding that working with the US to roll back Iranian influence in Iraq is a strategic priority for the King and his government.

(Adel al-Jubeir – Saudi Ambassador to the US)

3. Account of the August 17 meeting between Israeli Mossad Chief Meir Dagan and US Under Secretary of State Nick Burns.

Document Date: Friday, 31 August 2007, 12:45

Excerpt: Dagan described how the Israeli strategy towards Iran consists of five pillars:

A) Political Approach: Dagan praised efforts to bring Iran before the UNSC, and signaled his agreement with the pursuit of a third sanctions resolution. He acknowledged that pressure on Iran is building up, but said this approach alone will not resolve the crisis. He stressed that the timetable for political action is different than the nuclear project’s timetable.

B) Covert Measures: Dagan and the Under Secretary agreed not to discuss this approach in the larger group setting.

C) Counterproliferation: Dagan underscored the need to prevent know-how and technology from making their way to Iran, and said that more can be done in this area.

D) Sanctions: Dagan said that the biggest successes had so far been in this area. Three Iranian banks are on the verge of collapse. The financial sanctions are having a nationwide impact. Iran’s regime can no longer just deal with the bankers themselves.

E) Force Regime Change: Dagan said that more should be done to foment regime change in Iran, possibly with the support of student democracy movements, and ethnic groups (e.g., Azeris, Kurds, Baluchs) opposed to the ruling regime.

Dagan urged more attention on regime change, asserting that more could be done to develop the identities of ethnic minorities in Iran. He said he was sure that Israel and the U.S. could “change the ruling regime in Iran, and its attitude towards backing terror regimes.” He added, “We could also get them to delay their nuclear project. Iran could become a normal state.”

4. Account of meetings of US lawmakers with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

Document Date: Tuesday, 02 June 2009, 06:19

Excerpt: Barak reinforced his message regarding Pakistan in both meetings. He described Pakistan as his “private nightmare,” suggesting the world might wake up one morning “with everything changed” following a potential Islamic extremist takeover. When asked if the use of force on Iran might backfire with moderate Muslims in Pakistan, thereby exacerbating the situation, Barak acknowledged Iran and Pakistan are interconnected, but disagreed with a causal chain. To the contrary, he argued that if the United States had directly confronted North Korea in recent years, others would be less inclined to pursue nuclear weapons programs. By avoiding confrontation with Iran, Barak argued, the U.S. faces a perception of weakness in the region.

5. Account of meeting between Saudi King Abdullah and top US officials at the former’s private palace on March 15.

Document Date: Sunday, 22 March 2009, 10:14

Excerpt: The King noted 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.”

6. Cable responding to Ref A request for evaluations of Jordan’s reaction to possible U.S. engagement with Iran.

Document Date: Thursday, 02 April 2009, 05:49

Excerpt: The metaphor most commonly deployed by Jordanian officials when discussing Iran is of an octopus whose tentacles reach out insidiously to manipulate, foment, and undermine the best laid plans of the West and regional moderates. Iran’s tentacles include its allies Qatar and Syria, Hizballah in Lebanon, Hamas in the Palestinian territories, an Iraqi government sometimes seen as supplicant to Tehran, and Shia communities throughout the region.