Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
03ABUDHABI114 | 2003-01-08 14:08:00 | SECRET//NOFORN | Embassy Abu Dhabi |
null Diana T Fritz 06/05/2007 04:20:13 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results Cable Text: SECRET SIPDIS TELEGRAM January 08, 2003 To: No Action Addressee Action: Unknown From: AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI (ABU DHABI 114 - UNKNOWN) TAGS: PTER, EAIR, ASEC, PREL, PGOV, MOPS Captions: None Subject: UAE TO TIGHTEN SECURITY FOR AIRCRAFT ORIGINATING IN KABUL AFTER SPOT-CHECK OF SEVERAL FLIGHTS REVEALS MAJOR SECURITY LAPSES Ref: None _________________________________________________________________ S E C R E T ABU DHABI 00114 SIPDIS CXABU: ACTION: POL INFO: AMB DCM RSO P/M ECON DISSEMINATION: POL CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: AMB:MMWAHBA (SUBS) DRAFTED: A/DCM/POL:TEW/STW CLEARED: NONE VZCZCADI512 OO RUEHC RUEHZM RUEHBUL RUEHIL RUEHNE RUCJACC RUEKDIA RUEKJCS DE RUEHAD #0114/01 0081408 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 081408Z JAN 03 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7802 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL IMMEDIATE 0076 RUEHZM/GCC COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1150 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0992 RUCJACC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//OSD/ISA/NESA |
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000114 |
1. (U) Classified by Marcella M. Wahba, Ambassador, reason 1.5 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------------------- 2. (S) A quiet heads-up on 1/7 to UAE authorities regarding consideration of laying on modest additional security measures to help ensure the safety of Afghan Hajj flights became slightly garbled within UAEG circles and led to an alert being issued for a possible hijacking of an Ariana in-bound flight to Sharjah. The misunderstanding was rapidly corrected, but the UAEG subsequently determined nonetheless to land and search five inbound aircraft from Afghanistan as a "test of procedures." Chief of Staff Shaykh Muhammad Bin Zayid Al-Nahyan told visiting S/P Ambassador Haass that a search of the planes and passengers yielded an alarming number of knives, blades, wires and gas cylinders as well as the discovery of suspiciously high amounts of cash (dollars) in the possession of certain passengers. MBZ briefed that as a result of the exercise, the UAEG has decided that all aircraft inbound from Afghanistan would be escorted by UAE Air Force fighter jets upon entry into the UAE's airspace and any aircraft straying outside of the flight path would be "shot down." End Summary. A quiet word to the wise... -------------------------- 3. (S) A/DCM, drawing from reftels, briefed officials at the UAE's federal-level civil aviation authority (the GCAA) 1/7 regarding consideration of laying on modest additional security measures to help ensure the safety of Afghan Hajj flights. Stressing that there was no specific threat reporting of which we were aware, A/DCM nonetheless suggested that the GCAA might wish to consider prudential measures (such as the "wanding" of embarking/disembarking passengers with metal detectors) or other reasonable steps to slightly elevate the security provisions for these flights. ...Generates a decision to test procedures -------------------------- 4. (S) This information, when passed up the UAE chain of command, became slightly garbled and led to an alert being issued for a "possible hijacking" of an Ariana flight inbound to Sharjah. However, post was rapidly able to re-engage with the UAEG and quickly put this misunderstanding to rest. The UAEG nonetheless decided to divert and search five Afghan-based aircraft inbound for the UAE for what a senior advisor to UAE Armed Forces Chief of Staff (and de facto Defense Minister) Shaykh Muhammad bin Zayid Al-Nahyan (MBZ) told us was "an opportunity to test our procedures." Lots of dangerous items discovered -------------------------- 5. (S) MBZ subsequently told Ambassador and visiting S/P Director Ambassador Richard Haas 1/8 that he had decided to land and search the Ariana aircraft "to see what kind of threat they might pose to the UAE." MBZ briefed that searches of the planes and passengers yielded an alarming number of knives, blades, wires, and even gas cylinders which could be used as flame throwers. The Emiratis also found excessive amounts of U.S. dollars on passengers, including up to $60,000 in cash on one individual alone. He wondered aloud as to how an ordinary Afghan hajji could come up with so much money. In MBZ's view, the lack of adequate security screening for passengers embarking in Afghanistan meant that "the Afghans are playing a dangerous game" which has a direct impact on UAE national security. As a result, MBZ stated that the UAE has decided that every UAE-bound civilian aircraft from Afghanistan will be escorted by UAE Air Force fighter jets (Mirages) upon entering UAE airspace and that "if the Afghans stray off course, they will be shot down." In response to a question from Ambassador Haass, MBZ briefed that currently, as a result of the upcoming Haj, between 6-8 flights per day transit the UAE from Afghanistan. Press reports -------------------------- 6. (U) All UAE papers 1/8 reported that the authorities had diverted five aircraft which had originated in Afghanistan (four passenger planes and one cargo plane). The passenger planes were all ultimately bound for Jeddah, and were carrying pilgrims for the Haj. According to the press, three planes were diverted to Minhad Air Base near Dubai while a further two were apparently searched at Sharjah. (Note: MBZ stated that none of the five were permitted to land at Dubai International.) UAE authorities were quoted as confirming that no hijacking took place and that the passenger aircraft departed later in the evening of 1/7 for Saudi Arabia. Brigadier General Muhammad Sweidan Al-Gamzi, Deputy Air Force commander, told the press that the authorities had uncovered knives, blades and flammable gas cans. The Afghan Charge in Abu Dhabi, Rashiduddin Muhammadi, was also quoted as affirming that all of the passengers were safe. Comment -------------------------- 7. (S/NF) The UAE is well aware that its cooperation in OEF and the GWOT -- and in particular the recent (publicly acknowledged) remand to the U.S. of senior Al- Qaida operative Al-Nashiri -- has raised the country's profile as a potential target for revenge attacks by Taliban/Al-Qaida elements. This recognition no doubt played a significant part in the decision to proceed with the landing and searching of the Afghan aircraft -- and the determination to provide fighter escorts after so many potentially dangerous items were found on board. Wahba |