1. (U) Classified by Ambassador Marcelle M. Wahba, for
reasons 1.5 (B) and (D).



2. (S) The Ambassador asked UAE Chief of Staff LT.
General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed (MBZ) whether the
UAE would be able to provide continued "lift" in
support of Iraqi stabilization efforts. MBZ said
that they could not commit, at this time, to
additional support beyond the current operation.
The Ambassador pointed out that, in six months,
forces would rotate out without equipment. He took
the information on board but did not commit the
UAEG to any further support, and told the
Ambassador they would discuss the matter again in
the fall.



3. (S) Comment: The air and sealift support that
the UAEG provided to the Bulgarians took far more
resources from both the UAEG and the mission than
anyone originally anticipated. UAEG airlift and
sealift assets did not match our requirements for
the task. As a result, the UAEG needed to charter
at least 3 aircraft and one ship so far to meet its
commitments. We understand that it will need to
charter additional aircraft to lift the main body.



4. (S) Comment Continued: In addition, the
coordination effort needed between the USG, the
UAEG, and the third country was a major task for
our USLO office here. In fact, USLO sent one
officer to Bulgaria with the UAEG in order to
ensure everything went smoothly. It was a very
successful operation, but the financial and human
resources expended by all sides were considerable.
End Comment.
Wahba