UAE BRIEFED ON NEW US MISSION BAGHDAD

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 001460 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/NGA, NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/09 TAGS: PREL AMGT CMGT IZ TC SUBJECT: UAE BRIEFED ON NEW US MISSION BAGHDAD Ref: State 89241 Classified by Richard A. Albright, Charge d'Affaires, a.i., reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See para 4. ¶2. (C) Polchief delivered reftel briefing to UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Director of GCC Affairs Yusuf Al-Ansari on May 8. Al-Ansari said he would brief the Minister and the Under Secretary. He said the detailed description of the planned US presence in Baghdad and the governorates would be useful in planning the UAE Embassy's growth. ¶3. (C) The UAE currently has eight diplomats, including a Charge d'Affaires, at its embassy in Baghdad. Al-Ansari said his government has not decided on a nominee as ambassador to Baghdad. He did say that any staffing increase after June 30 will depend on the security situation in Iraq, and on the breadth and depth of future UAE-Iraq bilateral activities. ¶4. (C) Action request: Post would appreciate the Department's assistance in helping us respond to the following questions from Al-Ansari on future USG operations and the post-transition period in general: -- Does the US plan to open one or more consulates outside of Baghdad, and if so, where? -- Who will be responsible for the security of private companies, say from the UAE? Coalition forces? Private contractors? Are Iraqi security forces capable of providing this security? -- What person or body granted agrement to Ambassador Negroponte? Will the new sovereign government be required to approve it? -- After the June 30 transfer of power, what will be the approximate number of U.S. and non-U.S. employees in the U.S. Mission? ¶5. (U) CPA Baghdad minimize considered. ALBRIGHT