NAVCENT COMMANDER'S FAREWELL CALL IN

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



2. (C) Summary: USNAVCENT Commander Vice Admiral
Timothy J. Keating made a visit to the UAE on
September 13-14. In Abu Dhabi, he called on UAE
Armed Forces Chief of Staff LTG Sheikh Muhammad bin
Zayed Al-Nahyan (MbZ) and Commander of UAE Naval
Forces Major General Suhail Al-Marar. In Dubai, he
called on Dubai Crown Prince Gen. Sheikh Muhammad
bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. The discussion with MbZ
concentrated on Iraq, Iraqi oil smuggling, and the
global war on terror.



3. (S/NF) Summary continued: As he did during his
meeting with CENTCOM Commander General Abizaid (see
reftel), MbZ urged more work with Sunni tribal
leaders to ensure the Sunni community will have a
stake in the future of Iraq. MbZ reacted
positively to Keating's proposal to transfer the
five Chinese-manufactured patrol boats stored in
Jebel Ali Dubai to the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr with
the goal of having the Iraqi navy patrol its own
waters within a year. Keating thanked the Emiratis
for their ongoing supportive role in the Gulf
region and in Afghanistan, and said he was leaving
the region with the realization that the US still
has much to learn about the Arab perspective on
issues. End summary.



4. (C) Vice Admiral Keating made his farewell visit
to the UAE on September 13-14. MbZ received
Keating at his palace in Abu Dhabi. The
Ambassador, USLO Chief, Naval Attache, USNAVCENT
Security Cooperation Officer, USNAVCENT Flag Aide,
and Polchief (notetaker) attended. MbZ was
accompanied by MG Suhail and Senior Assistant
Yousef Al-Otaiba.



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Training Iraq's Navy, stopping oil smuggling


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5. (S/NF) Keating expressed his thanks to MbZ and
Suhail for the UAE's naval contribution and close
cooperation with Coalition forces during OIF. He
proposed expanding that cooperation to include
Iraq's new navy. Five Chinese-manufactured patrol
boats, diverted from delivery to the former Iraqi
regime and currently stored at Jebel Ali near
Dubai, could soon be transferred to Umm Qasr. With
US Navy and potential UAE Navy assistance, Iraqi
sailors could receive training and begin patrolling
Iraqi waters within a year. Keating emphasized the
need to act against oil smugglers by seizing
vessels and prosecuting crews. He said a customs
judge from Basra held hearings on cases involving
vessels smuggling Iraqi oil, and those cases are
now in the hands of the Iraqi Justice Ministry for
prosecution. Keating told MbZ that this marked the
first time the Iraqi authorities had exercised
their legal powers in regard to smuggling. Some of
the ships that are being detained are apparently
owned by Dubai-based companies.



6. (S/NF) MbZ reiterated his belief that Coalition
forces erred when they dismantled the Iraqi army
and police force. The decision robbed the country
of a core of experienced officers, soldiers, and
law enforcement elements - not all loyal to Saddam
Hussein, MbZ said. Keating acknowledged the
resultant problems and said we are now helping
train a new police force and Iraqi army.



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Sunnis: Save them from Saddam, UBL


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7. (S/NF) MbZ focused on the particular problem of
Sunnis in post-Saddam Iraq. He said it is
important that Sunni tribal leaders be assured that
they have a political stake in the new Iraq. In
the battle of Iraqi Sunni hearts and minds, "We
cannot let those who are not supporting Saddam go
with those who are with Saddam," MbZ said. By not
addressing the Sunnis' needs, the Coalition risks
giving Usama bin Laden and other extremist groups a
foothold. "Usama bin Laden is investing in the
Sunnis. I would not let that happen."



8. (S/NF) In a final note about Saddam Hussein, MbZ
said it would be a mistake to take the former Iraqi
leader alive because he would become a hero.



9. (U) This cable was cleared by Vice Admiral
Keating.

WAHBA