Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ABUDHABI4237
2004-11-27 13:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
ANTI-TRAFFICKING NGO MEETS WITH UAE LEADERSHIP
how-tonull Diana T Fritz 02/05/2007 04:01:21 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results Cable Text: C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 04237 SIPDIS CXABU: ACTION: DCM INFO: AMB POL DISSEMINATION: DCM CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: AMB:MSISON DRAFTED: POL:SRADDANT CLEARED: DCM:RALBRIGHT POL:JMAYBURY VZCZCADI721 RR RUEHC RUEHIL RUEHZM RUEHDE DE RUEHAD #4237 3321312 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 271312Z NOV 04 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6914 INFO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1299 RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 4528
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 004237
SIPDIS
STATE FOR G/TIP, INL, DRL, NEA/RA, AND NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2014
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, TC, PK
SUBJECT: ANTI-TRAFFICKING NGO MEETS WITH UAE LEADERSHIP
Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 004237
SIPDIS
STATE FOR G/TIP, INL, DRL, NEA/RA, AND NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2014
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, TC, PK
SUBJECT: ANTI-TRAFFICKING NGO MEETS WITH UAE LEADERSHIP
Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Ansar Burney founder of the NGO featured in
the October 19 HBO documentary highlighting the UAE's camel
jockey issue, met November 21 with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince
and UAE Armed Forces Chief of Staff Sheikh Mohammed bin
Zayed (MbZ) and UAE Minister of Interior Sheikh Saif bin
Zayed (SbZ). Both Burney and the sheikhs' staff told us
that the meetings were productive. End summary.
2. (C) On November 22, Poloff met with Ansar Burney,
founder of the Ansar Burney International Welfare Trust.
Burney said that MbZ and SbZ appeared to be genuinely
concerned about the welfare of the boys featured in the
October 19 documentary, as well as any underage camel
jockeys working illegally in the UAE. Burney said both
sheikhs offered the support of their offices, and said they
would not interfere with future rescue efforts (although
SbZ said he preferred that Burney worked with law
enforcement in the future). Burney stated he was not
convinced by the sheikhs' claims of ignorance of the
ongoing problem, and said as much to the sheikhs. However,
Burney and the UAE's officials parted with the
understanding that they were working toward the same goal,
and said they would continue to communicate to accelerate
efforts to save trafficking victims.
3. (C) SbZ's special advisor, Issam Azouri, told Burney
that if he was aware of the names of any traffickers, no
matter how prominent the individuals or their benefactors,
he should let his office know and they would take immediate
action. SbZ told Burney that, now that he has been
promoted to minister, he will be better able to control law
enforcement UAE-wide. Azouri said that SbZ directed his
staff to assist Burney to rescue victims, especially the
boy named "Shakeel," who was featured in the HBO
documentary. Burney told SbZ that he appreciated the
offer, and would make every effort to work with the UAEG,
but would continue to save boys with or without UAEG
assistance or permission. Azouri said that SbZ reminded
Burney that many of the boys are here with their parents,
and that UAE laws do not permit separation of children from
their parents without court involvement. He asked for
information on each child Burney wanted to rescue, and said
that there would be no legal problem removing children from
the UAE if their parents were not here. (Note: SbZ told
Ambassador on November 24 that 18 underage boys had been
rescued by UAE authorities, from a camel farm the day
before; septel to follow).
4. (C) MbZ's special advisor, Yousef Al Otaiba, told Poloff
that the MbZ/Burney meeting was equally successful. Burney
was touched that MbZ appeared to be visibly moved as he
discussed the abuse suffered by the victims. Burney said
that MbZ told him that he watched the program with his nine
children, and the whole family was moved to tears. Burney
told Poloff that he had said to MbZ that he could not
believe that MbZ could have remained completely unaware of
the issue, since camel racing was a sport closely followed
in the UAE. MbZ told Burney he wanted to put the past
behind them, and work together to stop any future abuses.
SISON
SIPDIS
STATE FOR G/TIP, INL, DRL, NEA/RA, AND NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2014
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, TC, PK
SUBJECT: ANTI-TRAFFICKING NGO MEETS WITH UAE LEADERSHIP
Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Ansar Burney founder of the NGO featured in
the October 19 HBO documentary highlighting the UAE's camel
jockey issue, met November 21 with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince
and UAE Armed Forces Chief of Staff Sheikh Mohammed bin
Zayed (MbZ) and UAE Minister of Interior Sheikh Saif bin
Zayed (SbZ). Both Burney and the sheikhs' staff told us
that the meetings were productive. End summary.
2. (C) On November 22, Poloff met with Ansar Burney,
founder of the Ansar Burney International Welfare Trust.
Burney said that MbZ and SbZ appeared to be genuinely
concerned about the welfare of the boys featured in the
October 19 documentary, as well as any underage camel
jockeys working illegally in the UAE. Burney said both
sheikhs offered the support of their offices, and said they
would not interfere with future rescue efforts (although
SbZ said he preferred that Burney worked with law
enforcement in the future). Burney stated he was not
convinced by the sheikhs' claims of ignorance of the
ongoing problem, and said as much to the sheikhs. However,
Burney and the UAE's officials parted with the
understanding that they were working toward the same goal,
and said they would continue to communicate to accelerate
efforts to save trafficking victims.
3. (C) SbZ's special advisor, Issam Azouri, told Burney
that if he was aware of the names of any traffickers, no
matter how prominent the individuals or their benefactors,
he should let his office know and they would take immediate
action. SbZ told Burney that, now that he has been
promoted to minister, he will be better able to control law
enforcement UAE-wide. Azouri said that SbZ directed his
staff to assist Burney to rescue victims, especially the
boy named "Shakeel," who was featured in the HBO
documentary. Burney told SbZ that he appreciated the
offer, and would make every effort to work with the UAEG,
but would continue to save boys with or without UAEG
assistance or permission. Azouri said that SbZ reminded
Burney that many of the boys are here with their parents,
and that UAE laws do not permit separation of children from
their parents without court involvement. He asked for
information on each child Burney wanted to rescue, and said
that there would be no legal problem removing children from
the UAE if their parents were not here. (Note: SbZ told
Ambassador on November 24 that 18 underage boys had been
rescued by UAE authorities, from a camel farm the day
before; septel to follow).
4. (C) MbZ's special advisor, Yousef Al Otaiba, told Poloff
that the MbZ/Burney meeting was equally successful. Burney
was touched that MbZ appeared to be visibly moved as he
discussed the abuse suffered by the victims. Burney said
that MbZ told him that he watched the program with his nine
children, and the whole family was moved to tears. Burney
told Poloff that he had said to MbZ that he could not
believe that MbZ could have remained completely unaware of
the issue, since camel racing was a sport closely followed
in the UAE. MbZ told Burney he wanted to put the past
behind them, and work together to stop any future abuses.
SISON