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 -------------- -------------- Israeli Cabinet Decision and Veto harm U.S. interests -------------- -------------- ¶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. -------------- Abu Mazen and Family seek UAE Citizenship -------------- ¶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. -------------- On new Palestinian PM -------------- ¶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