Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ABUDHABI5138
2003-12-01 15:18:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

SCENESETTER FOR AIR FORCE LEADERSHIP VISITS TO

Tags:  PREL PGOV PARM MOPS GCC IZ TC 
pdf how-to read a cable
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Diana T Fritz 03/20/2007 03:39:26 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results

Cable 
Text: 
 
 
SECRET

SIPDIS
TELEGRAM December 01, 2003


To: No Action Addressee 

Action: Unknown 

From: AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI (ABU DHABI 5138 - PRIORITY) 

TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PARM, MOPS 

Captions: None 

Subject: SCENESETTER FOR AIR FORCE LEADERSHIP VISITS TO THE UAE,
 DECEMBER 2003 

Ref: None 
_________________________________________________________________
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 05138

SIPDIS
CXABU:
 ACTION: POL 
 INFO: DAO USLO RSO AMB DCM P/M ECON 
Laser1:
 INFO: FCS 

DISSEMINATION: POL
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: CDA:RAALBRIGHT
DRAFTED: POL:JFMAYBURY
CLEARED: USLO:RSIMM DAO: KERINS

VZCZCADI236
PP RUEAHQA RUEOBBA RUEKJCS RUEHC RUCAACC RUCNRAQ
RHEFDIA
DE RUEHAD #5138/01 3351518
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 011518Z DEC 03
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEAHQA/HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC//CSAF/SECAF//
RUEOBBA/USCENTAF SHAW AFB SC
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//OSD/NESA//
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2560
RUCAACC/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 ABU DHABI 005138 

SIPDIS

NOFORN

SECAF FOR DR ROCHE, CSAF FOR GENERALS JUMPER AND MOSELEY AND
USCENTAF FOR LTG BUCHANAN
NSC FOR THEROUX
DOD FOR OSD/ISA/NESA
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/NGA AND PM/RSAT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/13
TAGS: PREL PGOV PARM MOPS GCC IZ TC
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR AIR FORCE LEADERSHIP VISITS TO
THE UAE, DECEMBER 2003

Ref: A) Abu Dhabi 5003, B) Abu Dhabi 4613

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 ABU DHABI 005138

SIPDIS

NOFORN

SECAF FOR DR ROCHE, CSAF FOR GENERALS JUMPER AND MOSELEY AND
USCENTAF FOR LTG BUCHANAN
NSC FOR THEROUX
DOD FOR OSD/ISA/NESA
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/NGA AND PM/RSAT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/13
TAGS: PREL PGOV PARM MOPS GCC IZ TC
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR AIR FORCE LEADERSHIP VISITS TO
THE UAE, DECEMBER 2003

Ref: A) Abu Dhabi 5003, B) Abu Dhabi 4613


1. (U) Classified by Richard A. Albright, Chargi
d'Affaires, a.i., for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D).


2. (C) I would like to welcome you to the UAE. The
highlight of December in the UAE will be the 2003 Dubai Air
Show, the third largest air show in the world and the
premier aviation and air industry show in the Gulf region.
The Dec. 7-11 Air Show will be preceded by a UAE Air Force-
hosted Middle East Air Chiefs' Conference. The UAE
Government regards this as a major event and expects strong
U.S. support and presence. Various models of U.S. military
aircraft and equipment, plus aircrew and ground crew will
be present. During the Dubai Air Show we have requested
meetings for Secretary Roche and General Moseley with UAE
Armed Forces Chief of Staff LTG Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed
Al-Nahyan (MbZ),who was appointed Deputy Crown Prince of
Abu Dhabi on November 30, and Dubai Crown Prince General
Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (MbR). MbZ's
promotion clears up any doubts about who will assume the
position of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince after Shaykh Zayed
departs the scene and current Crown Prince Shaykh Khalifa
assumes the presidency. Meeting requests for General
Jumper will include MBZ and Major general Khalid bin
Abdullah Al Buainnan, the Commander of the United Arab
Emirates Air force and Air Defense.


3. (U) The host of the Air Show, Dubai, is the second
richest and most populous of the seven Emirates that make
up the U.A.E. It is an international metropolis boasting
rows of skyscrapers, beautiful beaches, and a hopping
nightlife. Over the last 30 years, Dubai has seen massive
economic development, brought about by a leadership
determined to leverage dwindling oil production into strong
growth in trade, industry, and tourism. Its airport serves

as a regional hub, and its huge Jebel Ali port is the 12th
biggest in the world. This calendar year, the UAE has had
over 600 port visits by the US Navy, the majority of which
have been at Jebel Ali. The Dubai Port Authority is
expanding the container terminal at Jebel Ali. The current
berthing for aircraft carriers will need to move to allow
that expansion. The UAE is studying locations in the port
that could accommodate aircraft carriers.

--------------
SUGGESTED THEMES
--------------


4. (C) We propose that you touch on the following key
bilateral military issues, in addition to the more general
themes outlined below in para five:

-- Congratulate your hosts on the Dubai Air Show, and
underscore that it advances the U.S. security and
commercial interests, directly supports USCENTCOM war
fighting and engagement goals and objectives, furthers
military-to-military relations, and improves regional
access.

-- Provide a "look-ahead" on our likely military footprint
both in the UAE specifically and the region more generally,
particularly in light of the President's Nov. 25
announcement on global force posture (MbZ).

-- Focus the UAE military leadership on the need, as part
of our commitment to building and solidifying our strong
military ties, to work out a functioning Defense
Cooperation Agreement (MbZ, MbR);

-- Express our enthusiasm about the validation course at
the Gulf Air Warfare Center, Al Dhafra Air Base, scheduled
for January 2004. The Center will be a model for
multilateral training in the region (MbZ);


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

-- Congratulate MbZ on his promotion to Deputy Crown Prince
of Abu Dhabi.

-- 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.
Thank MbZ for his offer to use a squadron of the UAE's
newly acquired South African Seeker II UAV's (MbZ);

-- Pass on our gratitude for the UAE's generous
humanitarian assistance, especially the UAE Armed Force's
establishment of the very successful Shaykh 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);

-- Express thanks for the UAE's strong public show of
support for the Iraqi Governing Council and the interim
cabinet, who have been received at the highest levels on
several visits to the UAE (MbZ, MbR);

-- Consult and provide assurances on need to maintain
Iraq's territorial integrity, minimize external influence
(Iran) and manage sectarian rivalries (MbZ, MbR);

--------------
BILATERAL MILITARY ISSUES
--------------

Regional Footprint:
--------------


7. (C) If appropriate, I would recommend that you outline
with the leadership -- MbZ -- what we see in terms of our
likely regional footprint, and specifically what we have in
mind for the UAE. MbZ and his Air Force Commander have
dropped strong hints at being open to a more robust
presence, but we need to prepare them for the direction in
which we may wish to move here. The Emiratis are likely to
have seen the President's November 25 announcement on
global force posture and may have questions.

Defense Cooperation Agreement
--------------


8. (C) We need to discuss a successor agreement to the
dormant, unimplemented Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA),
which comes up for renewal in 2006. Following a meeting
with the Ambassador in late October during which she noted
the need to start addressing the DCA issue, MbZ directed
his staff to begin discussions with us on the way ahead for
a re-negotiated DCA. This will require heavy lifting on
both sides and the sooner we agree on a strategy and define
our "non-negotiable" items, the easier it will be to
proceed with the Emiratis. Your visit would provide a good
opportunity to resurface this important bilateral military
issue. Embassy representatives met with GHQ lawyers in
mid-November to hear their views. The Emiratis continue to
have reservations about criminal jurisdiction provisions,
as well as concerns over perceived ambiguities regarding
the status of US personnel in the UAE. We are seeking
guidance on how to proceed.

Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement
--------------


9. (C) Both MbZ and UAE Air Force Chief of Staff MGen
Khalid have broached the issue of negotiating an
Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA). MGen
Khalid has expressed some frustrations with support to
UAEAF C-130s operating to and from Bagram in support of the
UAE SOF deployment. We are seeking guidance and assistance
to initiate ACSA negotiations.

Air Warfare Center
--------------


10. (C) The Gulf Air Warfare Center at al-Dhafra Air Base
has tremendous potential to become a resource for
multilateral training, defense cooperation, and
compatibility. The GAWC will provide an excellent
opportunity for CENTCOM pilots to hone their skills in
theater. It comes with the added benefit of offering the
perfect setting for our officers to build long-term
relationships with their Arab and European counterparts.
The GAWC represents the UAE leadership's commitment to
increasing inter-operability with U.S. and coalition
forces.

ATACMs/Predator Update -- (If Raised)
--------------


11. (S) We are moving forward with the ATACMs 1A deal. The
Emiratis have agreed to the principles outlined in what
will be a regional Memorandum of Understanding governing
the use of this system. We have forwarded the MOU to GHQ
for UAE approval. Once we have their approval, the next
step in the process is for GHQ to submit an LOR for Pricing
and Availability, after which we can begin the LOA process.
We are awaiting the provision of a revised Pricing and
Availability and Acquisition, following an Emirati visit to
the US last July to discuss their forecast system
requirements.


12. (S) Over the past year, MbZ raised his desire to
procure the armed Predator B with just about every
interlocutor in Washington, and Deputy Prime Minister and
de facto Foreign Minister Shaykh Hamdan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan
raised the Predator issue his meetings in late October in
Washington, including with the Secretary and Deputy
Secretary of State. Both believe this system will provide

SIPDIS
the UAE the much-needed capability to survey and defend its
long, porous coasts and inland borders. The Joint Staff is
currently coordinating a policy decision with State
regarding release of this MTCR Category I weapon system to
the UAE. CENTCOM in September forwarded an assessment to
OSD supporting sale of an unarmed Predator B to the UAE.
We are awaiting an OSD policy decision on this issue. The
Emiratis will find it difficult to understand that we can
sell them F-16s while denying them an armed Predator B.

E-2C Hawkeye If Raised)
--------------


13. (C) We are making progress on a UAE request to obtain
E-2C Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning aircraft. Although the
original LOA lapsed in July without a UAE signature, in
August they signed a Letter of Intent and deposited $5
million to continue negotiations. The US Navy
International Programs Office led a team in September and
delivered a final LOA to the UAE on November 16. The
Emiratis are studying the final LOA with a goal of signing
it, then announcing a deal at the Dubai Air Show. The five
aircraft have been transferred to Northrop Grumman, which
is awaiting UAE acceptance of an LOA to begin refurbishing.

AH-64 Apache A-to-D Remanufacture (If Raised)
--------------


14. (C) The AH-64 Apache A-to-D Remanufacture LOA lapsed in
July. UAE officials continue to conduct discussions with
Boeing and US Army officials as though the LOA were still
valid, despite notice to the contrary. The UAE must
provide another formal Letter of Request and obtain updated
Pricing and Availability before Boeing and USASAC proceed
with this project. Meanwhile, the planned transfer of the
AH-64A fleet from UAEAF to UAE Land Forces has been
postponed, pending a remanufacture decision.

Remote sensing (If Raised)
--------------


15. (S) The Emiratis continue to request new, long-term
access to satellite imagery of Iran and the UAE region, as
part of its strategic relationship with the United States.
A USG interagency team visited the UAE in November to
discuss a government-to-government agreement that the USG
had provided to the UAE last May. In an unexpected move,
the Emiratis presented alternative text to the agreement,
requesting an option to lease a US satellite. The USG team
must now review the proposal and respond to the Emiratis
when a review is complete.
--------------
BROADER ISSUES
--------------

Afghanistan and Iraq: Support for Coalition Efforts
-------------- --------------


16. (S) The UAE Armed Forces has deployed a 35-man Emirati
Special Operations contingent to Bagram Air Base. As you
know, the UAE continues to play a very helpful role in
Afghanistan, particularly in the provision of humanitarian
and reconstruction assistance. The UAE Armed Forces
provided the Afghan National Army with approximately $50
million in assistance in kind in 2002 and overall
humanitarian assistance has crossed the $50 million mark.
The UAEG also continues to provide substantial personal
financial support to President Karzai. In Iraq, the UAEG
provided a "lift" in support of Iraqi stabilization
efforts.


17. (S) Regarding MbZ's offer to use a squadron of the
UAE's newly acquired South African Seeker II UAV's, we are
coordinating the prospects for the deployment with the UAE
Special Operations Command and CENTCOM/J5, CJTF-180, and
CJSOTF-A. A joint US team traveled to the UAE in early
November to discuss operational UAV experience in
Afghanistan, command relationships, integration and fusion,
intel support, strategic lift, beddown location, force
protection, logistics, and third country contractor
support. UAE SOC has proposed a deployment as early as
January 2004, and we are working the details for
implementation.

Iraq: UAE Humanitarian/Medical Assistance
--------------


18. (SBU) As you know, the Emiratis were among the first in
the Arab world to step up to the plate in providing much-
needed humanitarian assistance and medical relief to the
Iraqi people. The Embassy, the HOC in Kuwait and CENTCOM
worked closely with the UAE Red Crescent Authority to move
supplies into Iraq and transport Iraqi patients to the UAE
for treatment. This cooperation continues. Thanks to the
system put in place by CENTCOM and the HOC, the Emiratis
are now moving assistance into Iraq on an almost daily
basis using their own transportation. The Shaykh Zayed
hospital in Baghdad continues to receive hundreds of
patients a day.

Iraq: Timely Public Statements
--------------


19. (U) The Emiratis have strongly supported Iraqi
delegations at official meetings in the region or when they
visited the UAE. The UAEG also issued strong public
condemnation for the attacks against the UN's Baghdad
headquarters and against Ayatollah Baqir al-Hakim and his
followers in Najaf. Privately, the senior leadership has
told us that they applaud the U.S. decision to accelerate
the transfer of authority to the Iraqis (see ref A).

Iran: Worries Persist
--------------


20. (S) All of our senior Emirati interlocutors worry about
Iran's intentions in Iraq and in the Arabian Gulf region as
a whole. Iran is one of the major reasons the UAEG is
actively pursuing acquisition of ATACMS, remote sensing
technology, and is so keen to get Predator. The Emiratis
have urged us to help prevent Iran from meddling in Iraq's
domestic affairs. They view Iran's nuclear program with
deep suspicion and have consistently supported a tough
approach by the IAEA.

ALBRIGHT