Mfr Nara- T3- Dos- Burns William- 11-25-03- 00083

Confiden tinl

•

MEMORANDUM

FOR THE,RECORD

Event: William Burns Type of Event: Interview Date: November 25, 2003 Special Access Issues: Treat as C014fil~I!I~ IIAL Prepared by: Daniel Byman Reviewed by: Serena Wille Team Numbers: Three (Counterterrorism Policy) and Four (Financing) Location: NEA Conference Room, State Department Participants - Commission: Daniel Byman, Len Hawley, Serena Wille Other Participants: John-Alex Romano (State/Legal) Interviewee Background Ambassador Bums joined the State Department in 1982, after receiving his Ph.D. at Oxford. He served in numerous posts in the Middle East, including as Ambassador to Jordan from 1998 to 200 I. In June 200 I he was formally designated as the Assistant Secretary of State for the Near East, the job he holds now. He did not return to the United States from the Middle East and assume these duties until September 2001. (U)

•

Counterterrorism

in the Near East Region

There are few countries in the Near East where terrorism and extremism are not important issues. In Burns' view, the biggest current counterterrorism issue is the success or failure of rebuilding Iraq. Iran remains a state sponsor of terrorism and thus a serious threat. Syria, to a lesser degree, also is a concern. Libya has largely moved out of the terrorism business. Several other countries are also of concern. In Yemen, the government does not control much of the country. Lebanon is a breeding ground for radicalism. Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia all face attacks. ~ 9/11 Classified

Information

Reducing terrorism in the long-term and affecting root causes requires several difficult accomplishments. First, the Arab-Israeli dispute must be resolved. Second, Iraq must be made into a success for good government. Third, political and economic reform must succeed in the region. In sum, the United States and its allies must offer a positive vision for the region. Al-Qa'ida, in contrast, can tear things down but has no real plan to help. ~ .

•

The President has emphasized the importance of political and economic reform, and the government has used its assistance to bolster and reward reform when it can. When possible, free trade and education reform are promoted such as the recent Free Trade Agreement with Jordan. Burns singled out the Middle East Partnership Initiative as an effort to integrate aid to transform the Middle East. More broadly, he noted that "stability is not a static phenomenon" and that area regimes need to get ahead of the

CoriTI eteB li at

.. -v :

Confidential

•

rather dire political and demographic trends their countries face. When possible, reform must be driven by those in the region. ~ NEA recognizes the centrality of counterterrorism. However, it is often hard to get the various counterterrorism shops to recognize how regional issues relate to counterterrorism. For example, aggressive counterterrorism measures against al-Qa'ida can run counter to various human rights goals. ~ The country team is invaluable for effective counterterrorism. The United States gets the best cooperation when it can speak with one voice. Increasingly, State Department officers are a minority at the Embassy - the result is that a key function becomes coordinating and helping others do their jobs .. Increasingly, individual posts need to integrate their work into broader regional goals. ~

SaudiArabi~a

~

Saudi Arabia! I It remains vital due to its role in global energy security, and its stability affects that of its smaller neighbors. Saudi Arabia also is an important voice in Islamic circles and contributes to the Middle East Peace Process. , 9/11 Classified Information

•

I

Bums was in Riyadh after both the May 12 and November 8 bombings. The Saudis recognized the degree of threat they face now, and cooperation has improved dramatically since May. The Saudis now realize they are at war. After the May bombings, they implemented mechanisms to regulate private charitable contributions and began a much more serious effort to understand the threat. ~

9/11 Classified Information

•

Confidential

2

eunfidcntial

•

9/11 Classified Information

Visas, Border Control, and Public Diplomacy Burns noted the tension between border security and cutting the United States off from the broader Arab world. There is both a decrease in visas granted and the number of applications, as people from the Middle East are afraid to even try to come to the United States. Although effective border control is vital, openness is a part of who we are. NEA will weigh in to remind people of what is at stake. ~

•

Miscellany Burns did not see any major problems on tlme-sensitive targeting. "in the loop" and that people were talking to one another, ~

9/11 Classified Information

•

/¢OJ Iiidcntial 9/11 Classified

3 Information