DEMARCHE ON POSSIBLE MISSLE RELATED COOPERATION

S E C R E T ABU DHABI 004194 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2014 TAGS: MTCR ETTC MNUC PREL PARM TC IR SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON POSSIBLE MISSLE RELATED COOPERATION BETWEEN A UAE FIRM AND IRAN REF: A. STATE 73009 ¶B. 03 STATE 171660 ¶C. STATE 239509 (U) Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 (B),(D),and (H). ¶1. (C) On November 20, the Ambassador delivered ref A demarche to MFA Undersecretary Abdullah Rashid Al Noami. He assured Ambassador that he would pass the information to UAE security authorities and that state security (federal and Sharjah emirate-level) would work together on this matter. ¶2. (S) On November 22, Consul General delivered ref A talking points to Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed al Qassimi, Crown Prince of Sharjah. The Crown Prince was very receptive and said the quickest way to stop Elmstone Trading from engaging in further proliferation activity would be to close the company down. That was his preferred approach. In order to shut it down quickly and efficiently, he would need a written request from some federal authority ) the MFA, Ministry of Interior, or other UAEG entity. The reason for this was that to shut the company down as an internal Sharjah affair, Sharjah authorities would need to investigate, collect evidence, and then make a case that would be strong enough to withstand a legal challenge (or political pressure). During the course of such an investigation, Elmstone would likely get wind that something was up and start taking action to cover its tracks, such as destroying records. On the basis of a federal request, however, Sharjah authorities would &shut the company down the same day8 the request was received. Once the company was closed and records seized, the information collected about Elmstone,s activities could be shared with USG officials, Sheikh Sultan indicated. ¶3. (C) On November 22, Ambassador passed to MFA U/S Abdullah Rashid Al Noaimi the results of CG's meeting and Sharjah's interest in receiving a written request from federal authorities on Elmstone. Ambassador will also raise this matter with the new Minister of Interior HH Sheih Saif bin Zayad al Nahyan on November 24. SISON