SHEIKH HAMDAN ON IRAQ, GAZA, MLAT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001605

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2015
TAGS: PREL ECON ETRD JO IZ IR TC
SUBJECT: SHEIKH HAMDAN ON IRAQ, GAZA, MLAT

REF: ABU DHABI 1604

Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State
for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed (HbZ) and
Ambassador met April 10 to review regional developments and
U.S.-UAE relations. The UAE remains very worried about
Iranian influence in Iraq. HbZ urged the U.S. to stand
behind Mahmoud Abbas on Gaza disengagement. He said that
progress on MLAT negotiations and exploratory discussions on
an extradition treaty could restore stalled U.S-UAE judicial
cooperation. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Ambassador called on Deputy Prime Minister and de
facto Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamdan on April 10 for a review
of regional and bilateral issues. Attending were MFA U/S
Abdullah Rashid Al Noaimi; HbZ's office manager Ambassador
Sultan Al Romeithi; Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed
bin Zayed's special adviser Yousef Al Otaiba; and Pol Chief.

Iraq
--------------


3. (C) HbZ, commenting on the formation of the Iraqi
transitional government, said that the UAE continues to have
"deep concerns" about Iranian intervention in Iraq's internal
affairs. He expressed concern about the cabinet make-up. He
noted that Iraqi Sunnis with a "more liberal outlook" were
likely to become targets of assassination or terrorist
attacks sponsored by Iranian intelligence. Sunnis would be
even more at risk if the sensitive post of Interior Minister
went to someone close to Iranian intelligence, he warned.
HbZ said the period leading up to the year-end elections
would be critical, and that it was "imperative" for the U.S.,
the UAE, and other allies to develop a strategy for limiting
Iran's influence in Iraq. Iran has a strategy and it was not
just about Iran's policy toward Iraq. It was a clear program
toward building up its nuclear program. The Ambassador noted
that the U.S. welcomed the formation of the Iraqi
transitional government as an important step on the road to
democracy, as well as efforts to promote inclusiveness in the
Iraqi political system. She also noted that the U.S. and UAE
had shared concerns on Iraq's nuclear program. HbZ said he
welcomed the opportunity to discuss developments in Iraq and
to offer frank advice about the situation in Iraq to the USG
with Ambassador Dick Jones later in the week.

Palestinians
--------------


4. (C) HbZ then raised the Israeli-Palestinian issue, noting
that Prime Minister Sharon's visit to the U.S. was an
opportunity for the U.S. to support Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas on Gaza disengagement. The Ambassador
commented that the U.S. welcomed engagement by both the
Palestinians and the Israelis in preparing for Gaza
disengagement. She noted the recent discussions between
Deputy Secretary Zoellick and Shimon Peres to discuss the
Israeli disengagement from Gaza, and in particular economic
issues relating to Gaza disengagement. She thanked HbZ for
the UAE's positive efforts to help in that region and
generous humanitarian assistance. We try to help strengthen
the Palestinian Authority in any way we can, HbZ asserted.

Jordan Oil
--------------


5. (C) The Ambassador inquired about additional UAE financial
assistance to Jordan to compensate for Jordan's higher oil
prices. HbZ said he would follow up on this issue with Crown
Prince Sheikh Mohammed, as Abu Dhabi Emirate rather than the
Ministry of Finance would be examining this issue. He added
that the UAE would be signing an agreement within days to
loan $8 million to Jordan )- on top of an earlier $42
million loan.

Free Trade Agreement
--------------


6. (C) After discussing the camel jockey issue (covered in
reftel),HbZ addressed Ambassador's concerns that we not lose
our momentum on U.S.-UAE FTA negotiations. HbZ said he
remains in constant contact with MinState Finance Kharbash,
who heads the UAE's FTA delegation, and that the UAE side was
very satisfied with the progress and pace. HbZ emphasized
that he wants to move rapidly on concluding the FTA. He
indicated that there remained some private sector debate on
the negotiations, but that the UAEG was determined to place
national interests above any private interests. Noting the
Saudi Trade Minister's travel to the U.S., HbZ smiled and
said confidently that the UAE would get an FTA before the
Saudis.

High-level Visits to the U.S.
--------------

7. (C) At present, HbZ said he had no plans to visit the
United States. HbZ added that he had relinquished
responsibility for the U.S.-UAE Strategic Partnership to his
brother, Information Minister Sheikh Abdullah, who had led
the UAE delegation at the last bilateral dialogue in Abu
Dhabi in February 2004. After the meeting, Yousef Al Otaiba,
the special advisor to the Crown Prince, told Ambassador that
Sheikh Mohammed would not be traveling to the United States
until after the fall, as President Khalifa will travel to
Western Europe this summer for both vacation and official
duties and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed would need to remain
behind for Abu Dhabi continuity.

Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty
--------------


8. (C) Turning to U.S.-UAE judicial cooperation, the
Ambassador reviewed progress on MLAT negotiations that took
place in Washington in February, noting the USG's clear
preference for separating the MLAT and extradition treaties
and moving to the second round of MLAT negotiations before
the end of June. The Ambassador also said she appreciated
UAEG concerns about reciprocity and said the USG intended to
address the issue in a diplomatic note in the very near
future. The Ambassador also indicated that the U.S. wants to
get the relationship back on track as we approach the second
round of treaty negotiations. HbZ agreed with MFA U/S
Abdullah Rashid that while the MLAT discussion had been good,
the UAE side had come away "disappointed" from the talks in
Washington because the U.S. side "had not been authorized" to
negotiate an extradition treaty. "We want some movement on
the U.S. part. Our track (extradition) has not moved,"
Abdullah Rashid said. Both sides agreed on the importance of
restoring effective judicial cooperation, however.


9. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
SISON