DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SAUDI PROPOSAL FOR MUSLIM

S E C R E T ABU DHABI 002754 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/I, PM/RSAT AND PMAT E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2014 TAGS: PREL OPDC MOPS MARR PGOV PARM TC SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SAUDI PROPOSAL FOR MUSLIM TROOPS TO IRAQ REF: STATE 174644 (U) Classified by DCM Richard A. Albright for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D). ¶1. (C) Charge delivered ref. A points to MFA Assistant Under Secretary for Political Affairs Ambassador Tariq Ahmed Al Haidan on Aug. 15. Al Haidan agreed that the Saudi proposal was a starting point for further discussion. He commented that IIG approval would be a prerequisite for any proposal to send Muslim forces to Iraq. Stressing that establishing security was paramount, Al Haidan said the UAE was providing security assistance-in-kind to Iraq and would continue to do so as Iraq identified its requirements. ¶2. (C) On several occasions over the past several months, the UAEG has stated its reluctance to deploy troops to Iraq. Rather, it prefers make assistance-in-kind donations. The UAE has funded $8 million worth of Jordanian APCs for the Iraqi military. It also plans to give Iraq 4-6 Comp Air 7 SL fixed wing, seven-seater, fixed gear aircraft for border patrol operations, and will train pilots to fly the aircraft. The UAE is working with the German government to provide police and military training for Iraqi forces, as well as provide 100 trucks for the Iraqi military. The UAE has trained 38 Iraqi security personnel, primarily utilizing UAE Special Operations courses. The UAE has requested USG assistance in identifying Iraqi requirements for equipment and training. SISON