UAEG expression of solidarity with Mission

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000881 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/EX E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ASEC TC SUBJECT: UAEG expression of solidarity with Mission after threat forces suspension of operations Ref: (A) Abu Dhabi 834, (B) Abu Dhabi 830, (C) Abu Dhabi 828 ¶1. (SBU) When UAEG officials, the diplomatic corps, press contacts, and our other friends learned that operations at the Embassy and Consulate General had to be temporarily suspended March 24 in light of a specific threat (see refs A-C),they began calling us to inquire about our safety and the nature of the threat. All the calls were very sympathetic, including one from Information and Culture Minister Shaykh Abdullah bin Zayed who called twice from London and told the Ambassador that he would have come to the Embassy immediately to show solidarity. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shaykh Hamdan bin Zayed also called to express his concern. Both Shaykh Hamdan and Shaykh Abdallah said they appreciated our statement about re-opening the Embassy in which we thanked the UAEG for its effective and rapid response and close coordination. ¶2. (SBU) This is the first Embassy closure in the UAE since 9/11 and it caused quite a stir. Many of our contacts assumed it was related to the killing of Shaykh Ahmed Yassin in Gaza. WAHBA