CENTCOM COMMANDER DISCUSSES IRAQ, SYRIA,

1. (S/NF) Summary: CENTCOM Commander General John
Abizaid on March 17 discussed Iraq's transfer of
sovereignty and potential future leadership,
Pakistan's military operations against Al Qaida along
the Afghan border, terrorism financing, U.S.
approaches to Syria, with Abu Dhabi Deputy Crown
Prince and UAE Armed Forces Chief of Staff LTG Shaykh
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MbZ) in Abu Dhabi. The
two sides also reviewed U.S.-UAE military cooperation,
including the UAE's request for Predator. General
Abizaid also visited the 1,200 U.S. troops stationed
at Al Dhafra Air Base. End Summary.



2. (S) The Ambassador, CENTCOM Polad Ambassador Litt,
Executive Officer Col. Reynes, Col. Gauthier (J5),
Brig. Gen. Custer (J2), USLO, and Polchief (notetaker)
attended. MbZ was accompanied by Land Forces
Commander Major General Saeed Al Rumaithy and Special
Advisor Jack McGuinness.



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Pakistan


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3. (S/NF) Abizaid and MbZ discussed Pakistan's role in
the war on terror and Pakistan's recent campaign
against Al Qaida in Waziristan. MbZ said Pakistan was
taking the kind of action that will make a difference.
MbZ asked Abizaid if Pakistan was coordinating its
operation with the U.S. and sharing information with
the U.S. about the Taliban. Abizaid said that he
would be meeting with President Musharraf in two days
to discuss ways to improve cooperation.



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Terrorism financing


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4. (S/NF) Abizaid and MbZ exchanged views about where
terrorists, such as those responsible for the Madrid
bombings, get their financial support. Abizaid
suspected that the Madrid bombings were carried out by
an Al Qa'ida-related "franchise group" with financial
links to the Gulf, most likely Saudi Arabia. He told
MbZ that the financial backers are as guilty as those
who planted the bombs. MbZ said it was important to
understand the long-established connections terror
groups have with with charities. He also opined that
the U.S. needed to examine more closely how terror
groups recruit their members as well as their
operational logistics. MbZ also inquired about
prisoners taken by Coalition forces and their
interrogation. He also inquired as to whether Zarqawi
was still alive. Abizaid said there was no doubt that
he was.



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Syria


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5. (S/NF) MbZ strongly recommended that the U.S. deal
with Syria's Bashar forcefully. He said the UAE tried
very hard to talk to Bashar about allowing resistance
elements to infiltrate Iraq from Syria. "I am afraid
Bashar didn't get the message yet," MbZ said. MbZ
urged the U.S. to send the right message to Bashar - a
message he can understand. MbZ said the Arab press
accuses the U.S. of dictating policy to the Arab
world, so the U.S. might as well dictate its terms to
Syria. Abizaid acknowledged that the Syrians are in
trouble and are unable to keep extremists from
crossing the border into Iraq.



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Iraq


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6. (S/NF) With respect to Iraq, MbZ told Abizaid that
he had heard the Iraqis had requested that martial law
be imposed for a period of three months following the
transfer of sovereignty. He said he agreed with this
because Iraqis need to feel there is a command
structure and that the situation is under control.
MbZ and Abizaid also exchanged views about the
proposed Iraqi leadership structure during the interim
period and possible candidates for the three
presidency positions and the prime ministership. MbZ
said he liked the idea of a strong prime minister who
takes decisions and shows strength and leadership.
MbZ also favored the Iraqi decision to have a civilian
heading the Ministry of Defense. MbZ said he thought
that Iyad Alawi, a Shi'a with the Iraqi National
Accord, is a promising candidate for the Prime
Minister slot. MbZ said that he had met Alawi a week
earlier in London and liked the fact that he put
Iraq's interests before his sect. The two sides said
they admired Adnan Pachachi, and MbZ asked whether
Abizaid thought Pachachi might become one of the three
presidents given that he is widely respected and wise.
Abizaid said it was true that he is seen as the elder
statesman, but he may not be taken seriously in some
quarters.



7. (S/NF) MbZ also told Abizaid that it would be very
detrimental to delay the transfer of sovereignty to
the Iraqis scheduled for June 30. "I am afraid that
would have a very negative effect on the Arab world
and on European countries," he said. Abizaid
concurred, saying that July 1, 2004 was a chance to
move from occupation to partnership.



8. (S/NF) The discussion also included a review of
U.S.-UAE military cooperation, including the F-16
program, the Gulf Air Warfare Center, the UAE's
request for Predator, and UAE Special Operations
participation in Operation Enduring Freedom in
Afghanistan. MbZ said he was very satisfied with the
military relationship, and relieved that the UAE's F-
16 training program is on track. On Predator, MbZ
said he was looking forward to receiving good news
from the Washington community by the time he visits
Washington in early April.



9. (U) This cable was cleared by General Abizaid.
WAHBA