C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 003249

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP AND L/LEI
DOJ FOR OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

E.O. 12958: DECL 07/12/08
TAGS: CJAN PREL ASEC ETTC KCRM PGOV KTIA
EFIN, TC
SUBJECT: UAE READY FOR MLAT VIDEO CONFERENCE JULY 15

REF 7/9/03 Deeks- Menard e-mail


1. (U) Classified by A/DCM Katherine Van De Vate, for
reasons 1.5 (B) and (D).


2. (U) This is an Action request. Please see para 5.


3. (C) The Ambassador Met with UAE Minister of Justice,
Islamic Affairs, and Awqaf Mohamed Nakhera Al-Daheri on
July 13, 2003. The Minister said that of the 3 dates
proposed (July 15 and 16, August 11) for a digital
videoconference on the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty
(MLAT), the UAE preferred July 15. Due to summer travel
schedules, the UAE will not be able to make an August date.


4. (U) The UAEG is proposing a 1945 (local) start time -
1145 Washington time. Note: We have talked to the
technicians responsible for setting up the conference and
they are looking to connect at 1930 (local).


5. (U) Comment and Action Request: The UAEG is eager to
talk, but given the summer schedule here, there is a small
window of opportunity before the fall that we want to take
advantage of. Please arrange for a translator in
Washington. Many of the UAEG participants do not have a
good command of English. The UAEG will try to provide a
translator here as well. End Comment and Action Request
Wahba