THANKS TO THE REMOTE SENSING

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000893 SIPDIS STATE FOR NP A/S WOLF FROM AMBASSADOR WAHBA ALSO FOR NP/ECNP CHRIS KESSLER AND NEA/ARP COMMERCE FOR NOAA DOD FOR JCS AND NIMA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KSTC PARM TC SUBJECT: THANKS TO THE REMOTE SENSING INTERAGENCY TEAM Assistant Secretary Wolf: I'd like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Delegation head NP/ECNP Director Chris Kessler, NP/ECNP FAO Lisa Beames, NIMA Director of International Plans and Policy Robert Weber, Acting Commerce/NOAA Chief of Satellite Activities Branch Tim Stryker and JCS Space Policy Branch Chief LTC Max Clayton for their visit last week to the UAE to discuss remote sensing issues with the UAE military. The team braved a Washington blizzard, missed onward European connections, and went two days without luggage in order to make it to Abu Dhabi for these meetings. They arrived and went directly into a marathon session -- heroic measures indeed! The Emiratis, from Armed Forces Chief of Staff LTG Muhammad bin Zayid Al- Nahyan to Director of Military Intelligence Brigadier Muhammad Al-Neyyadi and Space Reconnaissance Center Director LTC Mahash Al-Hameli, were all extremely appreciative of the visit. I understand that the meetings were very illuminating and that the interagency will have much to discuss before the next session with the Emiratis. Please rest assured that my staff and I stand ready to assist the Department and the interagency team on follow-up steps as needed. Regards from the UAE. WAHBA