Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ABUDHABI171
2003-01-12 13:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

UNCLASSIFIED REPORT OF THIRD MEETING OF POST'S

Tags:  PTER CVIS PREL AMGT TC 
pdf how-to read a cable
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Diana T Fritz 06/05/2007 04:18:38 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results

Cable 
Text: 
 
 
UNCLASSIFIED

SIPDIS
TELEGRAM January 12, 2003


To: No Action Addressee 

Action: Unknown 

From: AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI (ABU DHABI 171 - UNKNOWN) 

TAGS: PTER, CVIS, PREL, AMGT 

Captions: None 

Subject: UNCLASSIFIED REPORT OF THIRD MEETING OF POST'S HOMELAND
 SECURITY WORKING GROUP 

Ref: None 
_________________________________________________________________
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 00171

SIPDIS
CXABU:
 ACTION: AMB 
 INFO: DAO USLO P/M PAO CONS RSO DCM MSG 
Laser1:
 INFO: PAO CLO CONS OBO ADM 

DISSEMINATION: AMB
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: ADCM:TEWILLIAMS
DRAFTED: ADCM:TEWILLIAMS
CLEARED: POL:STW, PMIL:MF, RSO:JFR, CONS:MM, DUBAI:DV

VZCZCADI626
OO RUEHC RUEHEE RUCJACC RUEHDI
DE RUEHAD #0171/01 0121301
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 121301Z JAN 03
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7845
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCJACC/USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHDI/AMCONSUL DUBAI 2683
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000171 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR D/HS HOMELAND SECURITY GROUP, DS/ITA,
DS/OP/NEA, NEA/ARP, S/CT, NEA/EX, CA/VO, CA/OCS/NEASA,
AND M

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER CVIS PREL AMGT TC
SUBJECT: UNCLASSIFIED REPORT OF THIRD MEETING OF POST'S
HOMELAND SECURITY WORKING GROUP

REF: A) ABU DHABI 96, B) 02 ABU DHABI 6017,
C) 02 ABU DHABI 2399, D) ABU DHABI 511

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000171

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR D/HS HOMELAND SECURITY GROUP, DS/ITA,
DS/OP/NEA, NEA/ARP, S/CT, NEA/EX, CA/VO, CA/OCS/NEASA,
AND M

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER CVIS PREL AMGT TC
SUBJECT: UNCLASSIFIED REPORT OF THIRD MEETING OF POST'S
HOMELAND SECURITY WORKING GROUP

REF: A) ABU DHABI 96, B) 02 ABU DHABI 6017,
C) 02 ABU DHABI 2399, D) ABU DHABI 511


1. (U) Post provides the following unclassified version
of ref a as requested by CA.

SUMMARY
--------------


2. (SBU) The UAE Mission's HSWG is rapidly developing
into a highly useful forum to discuss a broad range of
issues which bear on homeland security. The pooling of
information and ideas, and the support provided by the
HSWG for the consular mission, has already been
commented upon favorably by conoffs, who feel better-
informed and less isolated as a result. The third
monthly meeting of the HSWG provided an opportunity for
Conoffs to brief on the possibility of possible IV
fraud, particularly by Yemeni applicants here seeking to
enter the U.S. as stepchildren of U.S. citizens -- such
visas can be obtained in as little as 18 months and are
not subject to the Condor process, although they do go
through CLASS. Concerns regarding UAE passports issued
as travel documents to non-citizens and erroneous place
of birth information for naturalized UAE citizens were
also raised, as was possible entry into CLASS of
individuals seeking to violate U.S. export control
regulations. The Congen Dubai representative briefed on
Dubai's new expedited exit and entry system for
residents of that emirate which is now online at Dubai
international airport. End Summary.

MORE SECURITY FOCUS NEEDED ON IMMIGRANT VISA PROCESS
-------------- --------------


3. (SBU) A/DCM convened the third monthly meeting of the
UAE's Homeland Security Working Group (HSWG) on January

5. Consular officers briefed the HSWG on the disparity
between the extensive Condor process for NIV applicants
of concern and the lack of similar procedures for
Immigrant Visa (IV) applicants. In some cases, IVs can
be obtained in as little as 18 months. Conoffs are
concerned in particular with potential fraudulent
applications for IVs here by Yemenis claiming to be the
stepchildren of U.S. citizens. In most cases, the
claimed Amcit parent is listed as deceased, making DNA
testing impossible, and submitted documents are often of
a highly suspicious nature.

CONCERNS REGARDING UAE PASSPORTS
--------------


4. (SBU) Conoffs briefed on difficulties determining
the status of holders of UAE passports, as well as the
validity of the identifying information contained in
these documents. The UAEG has confirmed that UAE
passports are on occasion issued to non-UAE citizens as
travel documents. These passports are not different
either in form, content or validity from the passports
issued to nationals (see refs b and d). Furthermore,
the data contained in UAE passports -- particularly
those of naturalized citizens -- is frequently incorrect
(see ref c). UAE naturalized citizens, for example,
will have their place of birth changed to Abu Dhabi.
This is common practice because the benefits enjoyed by
nationals depend upon the emirate from which they hail.

OTHER ISSUES
--------------


5. (SBU) Consulate Dubai representative (Consular
section chief) reported on the Dubai emirate initiative
to issue fast-track cards to residents which expedites
arrival/departure at Dubai International Airport. The
card contains digitized passport and other data, and is
verified by an index fingerprint scanner. While this is
in many cases a more secure means of determining
identity of a traveler than a passport, the use of the
card on arrival and departure means that there is no
record on any travel document of the comings and goings
through Dubai of the card holder -- other than that
contained in Dubai Immigration computers. At the close
of the meeting, Foreign Commercial Service export
control officer reported on the results of several pre-
license checks.

Wahba