Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ABUDHABI4629
2005-11-16 10:28:00
SECRET
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
DEMARCHE: URGING ISOLATION OF SARG IN WAKE OF
how-tonull Diana T Fritz 08/27/2006 05:52:20 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results Cable Text: S E C R E T ABU DHABI 04629 SIPDIS CXABU: ACTION: POL INFO: RSO AMB DCM MEPI P/M ECON DISSEMINATION: POL CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: AMB:MSISON DRAFTED: POL:BTHOMSON CLEARED: DCM MQUINN VZCZCADI287 PP RUEHC RUEHDM DE RUEHAD #4629 3201028 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 161028Z NOV 05 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2320 INFO RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 0751
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 004629
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV SY TC
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: URGING ISOLATION OF SARG IN WAKE OF
UNSCR 1636
REF: A. SECSTATE 205436
B. ABUDHABI 4548
Classified By: AMBASSADOR MICHELE J. SISON, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 004629
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV SY TC
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: URGING ISOLATION OF SARG IN WAKE OF
UNSCR 1636
REF: A. SECSTATE 205436
B. ABUDHABI 4548
Classified By: AMBASSADOR MICHELE J. SISON, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (S) Summary: On November 15, Ambassador discussed
isolation of Syria with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed(AbZ),
Minister of Information and ruling family point-man on
UAE-Syria relations. On November 9 Ambassador also delivered
reftel demarche(ref A) to MFA U/S Abdullah Rashid al Noaimi.
Ambassador urged the UAEG to send a clear message to Bashar
Al-Asad that the regime's behavior is unacceptable. End
Summary.
2. (S) As he had told Ambassador and A/S Welch earlier this
month, AbZ agreed November 15 that the U.S was right in
continuing to apply pressure to Syria. AbZ noted again that
he had turned down Deputy FM Moallem's invitation to visit
President Bashar in Damascus(ref B).
3. (S) Ambassador stressed to U/S Al Naoimi on November 9
that isolation, not engagement, was the only way to send a
clear message to SARG that the regime's behavior is
unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the international
community. Ambassador pointed out that engaging SARG in
high-level meetings either in Damascus or Abu Dhabi would
send a mixed message about the situation that Syria has
created, and about the total isolation from the international
community that has resulted from their interference in
Lebanese internal affairs. Al Naoimi acknowledged USG
concerns, noting that AbZ was becoming increasingly
frustrated with Bashar, but added that the isolation of Syria
remained the UAEG's last option.
3. (S) In a follow-up meeting on November 14 Al Naoimi stated
"We don't understand Bashar anymore; we thought that there
was hope to engage the new, progressive Syria of the future,
but we have only met the Syria of the past. This last speech
of Bashar felt like it was given in the 60's or 70's". When
pressed that engagement isn't working, Abdullah Rashid
admitted, "No, it isn't working; they are pushing themselves
to isolation."
SISON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV SY TC
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: URGING ISOLATION OF SARG IN WAKE OF
UNSCR 1636
REF: A. SECSTATE 205436
B. ABUDHABI 4548
Classified By: AMBASSADOR MICHELE J. SISON, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (S) Summary: On November 15, Ambassador discussed
isolation of Syria with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed(AbZ),
Minister of Information and ruling family point-man on
UAE-Syria relations. On November 9 Ambassador also delivered
reftel demarche(ref A) to MFA U/S Abdullah Rashid al Noaimi.
Ambassador urged the UAEG to send a clear message to Bashar
Al-Asad that the regime's behavior is unacceptable. End
Summary.
2. (S) As he had told Ambassador and A/S Welch earlier this
month, AbZ agreed November 15 that the U.S was right in
continuing to apply pressure to Syria. AbZ noted again that
he had turned down Deputy FM Moallem's invitation to visit
President Bashar in Damascus(ref B).
3. (S) Ambassador stressed to U/S Al Naoimi on November 9
that isolation, not engagement, was the only way to send a
clear message to SARG that the regime's behavior is
unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the international
community. Ambassador pointed out that engaging SARG in
high-level meetings either in Damascus or Abu Dhabi would
send a mixed message about the situation that Syria has
created, and about the total isolation from the international
community that has resulted from their interference in
Lebanese internal affairs. Al Naoimi acknowledged USG
concerns, noting that AbZ was becoming increasingly
frustrated with Bashar, but added that the isolation of Syria
remained the UAEG's last option.
3. (S) In a follow-up meeting on November 14 Al Naoimi stated
"We don't understand Bashar anymore; we thought that there
was hope to engage the new, progressive Syria of the future,
but we have only met the Syria of the past. This last speech
of Bashar felt like it was given in the 60's or 70's". When
pressed that engagement isn't working, Abdullah Rashid
admitted, "No, it isn't working; they are pushing themselves
to isolation."
SISON