SHAYKH HAMDAN: TIME FOR ISRAELIS TO SUPPORT U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 004285

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/FO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/13
TAGS: PREL PTER ASEC TC
SUBJECT: SHAYKH HAMDAN: TIME FOR ISRAELIS TO SUPPORT U.S.
INTERESTS IN THE REGION

(U) Classified by Ambassador Marcelle M. Wahba, for reasons
1.5 (b) and (d).

(C) Summary: Minister of State Hamdan bin Zayed told the
Ambassador that the recent U.S. veto of UNSC resolution and
the Israeli cabinet decision to expel Arafat has hurt USG
interests and credibility in the region. He commiserated
over the loss of Abu Mazen, who was totally undermined by
Arafat and added that Arafat and Sharon seem to be helping
each other achieve their own goals that are not in the
interests of either nation. Hamdan informed the Ambassador
that Abu Mazen sent his son to the UAE to request UAE
citizenship for the whole family because they no longer
feel safe in the West Bank. The request would be
considered by President Zayed who returns to the UAE today.
On Ahmed Qurei, Hamdan said he is not someone they know
well and the UAE is unsure of his ability to work
independently of Arafat. End Summary

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Israeli Cabinet Decision and Veto harm U.S. interests
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1. (C) In a meeting with the Ambassador on Sep 20, 2003,
Min of State for Foreign Affairs and Presidential son,
Shaykh Hamdan bin Zayed (HBZ),told the Ambassador that the
US veto of the UN resolution regarding Israel's decision to
expel Arafat came as a surprise to the UAE given our
position against his expulsion. The U.S. is constantly
supporting and protecting Israeli interests, he said and
commented that it is time for the Israelis to support U.S.
in the region. This is a critical time for America and its
image in this part of the world and the Israelis should be
more sensitive to the current situation in Iraq and help
rather than hurt America's image and credibility, Hamdan
told the Ambassador. He added that Sharon and Arafat seem
to be supporting one another's personal ideological goals
that will continue to undermine the long-term prospects for
peace and hurt not only their own people but, the region as
a whole.


2. (C) The Ambassador briefed HBZ on the U.S. position and
our concerns regarding the lack of balance in the
resolution's text that made absolutely no reference to
condemning terrorism and the organizations responsible for
it such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Al Aqsa Martyr's
brigade. The Syrians and the Palestinians had not made a
good faith effort to reach a compromise that we could have
lived with, she argued, given our publicly stated position
against the expulsion of Arafat. HBZ readily agreed that
the Syrian role has been far from constructive by pushing
for the resolution to begin with, but argued that the
Israeli cabinet decision should never have happened. He
said the Israeli decision to publicly call for either
killing him or expelling him has made Arafat a hero and the
US veto also has raised his stature in the region. The two
events combined have damaged US credibility at a critical
time.

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Abu Mazen and Family seek UAE Citizenship
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3. (C) Shaykh Hamdan then briefed the Ambassador about a
recent visit to the UAE by Mahmoud Abbas's son seeking UAE
citizenship for the family. He said Abu Mazen is worried
about their safety given the accusations and rumors spread
by Arafat and his circle against him and members of the
family. Hamdan said the request would be considered by
President Zayed, who returns to the UAE 9/21 after a long
leave in Europe.

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On new Palestinian PM
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4. (C) On the new Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, Hamdan said
he is not a well known entity with the UAE. The UAE hopes
Qurei will have the strength to manage Arafat, but from his
recent public pronouncements that is not clear to us he
said.

(C) COMMENT: Shaykh Hamdan recently returned from leave in
Morocco with his family. Like other UAE officials this
week, he seemed to be consumed with issues or concerns
surrounding the IMF/World Bank meetings in Dubai and less
focused on regional or international events. That said,
Shaykh Hamdan made a point of highlighting their concerns
over the deteriorating situation in the West Bank/Gaza and
Israel.

Wahba