WARY OF SHARON'S INTENTIONS, UAE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 002611 SIPDIS S/S-O PLEASE PASS NEA A/S BURNS STATE FOR NEA/ARP AND NEA/IPA NSC FOR THEROUX E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/08 TAGS: PREL KWBG KPAL IS TC SUBJECT: WARY OF SHARON'S INTENTIONS, UAE NEVERTHELESS GRATEFUL FOR POTUS ENGAGEMENT ON PEACE PROCESSS ¶1. (U) Classified by Ambassador Marcelle M. Wahba for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D). ¶2. (C) MFA Minstate Hamdan bin Zayid and the Ambassador discussed the upcoming peace process summits in Sharm El Sheikh and Aqaba in a 5/31 meeting at Hamdan's Abu Dhabi palace (other issues septel). While "pessimistic" about Israeli Prime Minister Sharon's ultimate commitment to forging peace and wary of Israel's stated reservations on the roadmap, Hamdan was nevertheless very grateful for President Bush's evident personal involvement. Hamdan said he hoped to proven wrong about Sharon and noted that the UAE had much confidence in Abu Mazen. ¶3. (C) Hamdan disclosed that he speaks with Abu Mazen on a regular basis and had heard from him earlier in the day. The Palestinian Prime Minister confided that he had been satisfied with his meeting with Sharon. However, Abu Mazen told Hamdan that the Palestinian Authority desperately requires security equipment, much of which has been destroyed by the Israelis in the last two years. Abu Mazen had raised the issue with Sharon. The Palestinians were in such dire straits that when the Israeli Prime Minister, in last week's meeting, had offered to withdraw Israeli forces from some Palestinian towns (NFI),Abu Mazen was placed in the awkward position of actually turning down the offer. Abu Mazen confided in Hamdan that he does not want be blamed for problems he cannot control. WAHBA