Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ABUDHABI4982
2005-12-12 05:03:00
SECRET
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR REACTION TO PROPOSED

Tags:  KTFN PTER EFIN AE 
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Diana T Fritz 08/27/2006 05:05:32 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results

Cable 
Text: 
 
 
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 04982

SIPDIS
CXABU:
 ACTION: ECON
 INFO: POLM DHS DOJ LEGAT P/M AMB DCM POL

DISSEMINATION: ECON
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: AMB:MJSISON
DRAFTED: ECON:AECURTIS
CLEARED: NONE

VZCZCADI266
RR RUEHC RUEHZM RHEHNSC RUEATRS
DE RUEHAD #4982 3460503
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 120503Z DEC 05
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2697
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 004982 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, S/CT, EB/ESC
NSC FOR ZARATE
TREASURY FOR LEVEY, GLASER, MURDEN, HEFFERNAN, LENBENSON
MANAMA FOR BEAL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2015
TAGS: KTFN PTER EFIN AE
SUBJECT: CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR REACTION TO PROPOSED
U.S.-UAE JOINT TERRORIST FINANCE COORDINATING COMMITTEE

REF: A. SECSTATE 208617


B. ABU DHABI 4828

Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

S E C R E T ABU DHABI 004982

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, S/CT, EB/ESC
NSC FOR ZARATE
TREASURY FOR LEVEY, GLASER, MURDEN, HEFFERNAN, LENBENSON
MANAMA FOR BEAL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2015
TAGS: KTFN PTER EFIN AE
SUBJECT: CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR REACTION TO PROPOSED
U.S.-UAE JOINT TERRORIST FINANCE COORDINATING COMMITTEE

REF: A. SECSTATE 208617


B. ABU DHABI 4828

Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (U) Please see para 5 for an action request.


2. (S) On December 10th, Ambassador and econoff met with the
UAE Central Bank Governor, Sultan Nasser al-Suwaidi, to
discuss the proposed U.S.-UAE Joint Terrorist Finance
Coordinating Committee (JTFCC). This meeting was a follow-up
to the November 26th meeting, during which Ambassador
delivered Ref A proposal to al-Suwaidi (ref B); the purpose
was to seek the Governor's feedback before disseminating the
proposal to other UAEG entities.


3. (S) Governor al-Suwaidi provided a cautious, measured
response to the proposal, and he highlighted three key
concerns:

- Iran and Syria Policy. Expressing his concern that the
U.S. might use the JTFCC to "force its political agenda on
the UAE," al-Suwaidi stated that he is worried the U.S. will
ask the UAE to take actions against Iran and Syria that could
damage the UAE's relationship to its neighbors. Noting,
"Right now, the U.S. does not have good relationships with
these countries, but in ten years that could change, and the
UAE would be left holding the bag." Ambassador assured the
Governor that the committee would enjoy a two-way dialogue
and that its purpose would be to coordinate activities. The
UAE would have input into what actions the committee
ultimately took.

- Public Leaks. Reiterating the UAE's desire to keep the
extent of its CT cooperation with the U.S. below the radar
screen, the Governor was concerned that U.S. officials might
leak content of the meetings to the media. Ambassador
underscored that the JTFCC proposal explicitly states that
the substance of the meetings are classified.

- UAE Benefit. Governor al-Suwaidi requested a more precise
picture of what the UAE had to gain by the establishment of a
JTFCC. He wanted to know if the UAE would have the
opportunity to comment on decisions before they were taken.
Complaining that their FIU often receives requests for
information based on "incomplete" names, al-Suwaidi also
indicated he hoped the JTFCC would provide a mechanism for
vetting these requests. Ambassador emphasized that
consultation and advanced coordination are among the explicit
purposes of the JTFCC. Al-Suwaidi was appreciative of this
assurance.


4. (S) Governor al-Suwaidi noted that "others" in the
Government would determine whether it is implemented or not.
Ambassador noted that Treasury U/S Levey desired to travel to
the UAE in late January to hold the inaugural JTFCC meeting.
The Governor requested a proposed agenda for the first
meeting, which could then be shared with other UAEG
authorities, including Dubai officials, to obtain their
buy-in to the JTFCC.


5. (S) Action request: Please forward a proposed agenda for
the first JTFCC to Embassy for passage to the Central Bank
Governor and other UAE counterparts, including officials in
the Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Justice, the
federal State Security Directorate, and Dubai's State
Security Organization.

SISON