SCENESETTER FOR VICE ADMIRAL KEATING'S VISIT TO

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 004135

SIPDIS

NAVCENT FOR VADM KEATING FROM AMBASSADOR WAHBA

STATE FOR NEA/ARP

CENTCOM FOR POLAD AMBASSADOR LITT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/13
TAGS: PREL PGOV PARM MOPS TC
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR VICE ADMIRAL KEATING'S VISIT TO
THE UAE


1. (U) Classified by Ambassador Marcelle M. Wahba, Reasons
1.5(b) and (d).


2. (S) Vice Admiral Keating: I look forward to welcoming
you back to the UAE in a few days. The staff at the
Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate General in Dubai are
making all the arrangements to ensure your visit to the UAE
is a rewarding one. UAE Armed Forces Chief of Staff LTG
Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MbZ),Commander of UAE
Naval Forces Major General Suhail Al-Marar, and Dubai Crown
Prince Gen. Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (MbR) all
welcome this opportunity to meet with you and exchange
ideas on this, your farewell tour to the UAE.


3. (S) Your visit to the Emirates comes on the heels of
visits by General Abizaid (September 8) and General
Buchanan (September 7 and 8). Their discussions were
fruitful, covering a range of bilateral military themes,
and some of the broader themes of regional interest, such
as Iraq and Afghanistan. You can anticipate similar
discussions during your visit.

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SUGGESTED THEMES
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4. (S) We know you are engaged on the numerous bilateral
issues listed below, but we wanted to ensure all topics are
addressed. Additional general themes are described in para
four.

-- The Emiratis will want to engage you on the issue of
carrier berthing arrangements at Jebel Ali. As you know,
the current carrier berth is a container terminal. The
Dubai Port Authority wants to reclaim it for berthing of
container traffic only, and has proposed that a different
part of Jebel Ali be used for the Navy's operations. The
Dubai Port Authority has indicated that it wants the move
to occur soon. NAVCENT and the Dubai Port Authority need
to discuss dredging and berthing development costs. It
should be noted that the move would also affect USO
facilities; (MbR, Suhail)

-- Let Gen. Suhail know that you look forward to his
attendance and participation at the International Sea Power
Symposium at the Naval War College, Oct. 26-29. The
symposium brings together all the chiefs of naval
operations and their counterparts; (Suhail)

-- Express thanks for the UAE's cooperation and excellent
coordination between the Dubai Port Authority, the Fujairah
Port Authority, and the US Navy in the run-up and
throughout OIF; (MbZ, MbR, Suhail)

-- Acknowledge the role of the UAE Navy frigate -- The
Emirates as the flagship for the naval component of
Peninsula Shield forces during OIF; (MbZ, Suhail)

-- The Dubai Air Show takes place December 7-11. The UAE
Government regards this as a major event and expects strong
US support and presence. You can anticipate a request to
provide aircraft static display and possibly an aircraft
carrier visit for the Air Show; (MbZ, MbR, Suhail)

-- Urge resumption of long-postponed talks between NAVCENT
and UAE navy staff. These meetings, which are part of a
wider engagement plan with the UAE, should be held
annually; (MbZ, Suhail)

-- State that you are looking forward to commencing
operations in late 2004 at the Air Logistics facility at
Minhad; (MbZ, Suhail)

-- The Emiratis have proposed a visit to the US Navy Chief
of Operations in March 2004. We are currently working with
Major General Suhail's staff to develop a plan for the
visit. (Suhail)

-- Acknowledge that Jebel Ali is the primary port of call
for liberty in the Gulf and express thanks to Dubai for
playing host to our sailors; (MbR)

-- Discuss the legal status of US Navy sailors picked up
during liberty in Dubai. This ties into the DCA legal
jurisdiction issue which is the article the UAE does not
consider "in effect." We appreciate MbR's assistance in
returning those sailors who are detained; (MbR)
-- Appreciate allowing US Navy Force Protection units to
operate in Jebel Ali and Fujairah, especially the use of
Fujairah Naval Base to store equipment and boats while not
in use; (MbZ, MbR, Suhail)

-- Express appreciation for Dubai's patience with the issue
of Chinese-manufactured patrol boats and storage at Jebel
Ali. We anticipate transfer to the new Iraqi navy in the
near future. (MbR)


5. (S) More broadly, you may also wish to:

-- Express thanks for the UAE's exemplary support for U.S.
and coalition efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, namely
access to bases and logistical support, including air and
sealift of Bulgarian troops to Iraq, the UAE SOC deployment
at Bagram, as well as extensive intelligence coordination;
(MbZ, MbR, Suhail)

-- Pass on our gratitude for the UAE's generous
humanitarian assistance, especially the UAE Armed Force's
establishment of the very successful Sheikh Zayed hospital
in Baghdad and the UAE's efforts to re-supply with
equipment and medicine other Iraqi hospitals and the
provision of basic foodstuffs to the Iraqi people; (MbZ)

-- (If raised) Iraq oil smuggling: Per our exchange earlier
this week on this subject, the Iraqis need to act against
the smugglers by seizing vessels and prosecuting crews.
That should be an effective deterrent. That said, your
visit is an excellent opportunity to raise the subject
during your meetings.


6. (U) Regards from Abu Dhabi, Marcelle.

WAHBA