UAE INTERIOR MINISTER ENGAGED ON REGIONAL CT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000508 SIPDIS NSC FOR PATRICK HEFFERNAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2015 TAGS: IZ PTER TC SUBJECT: UAE INTERIOR MINISTER ENGAGED ON REGIONAL CT COOPERATION, TRAINING NEEDS Classified By: (U) Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reaso ns 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. In a February 1 meeting with the Ambassador, Interior Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al-Nahyan discussed his view of regional security cooperation with UAE,s neighbors and suggested ideas for bilateral training efforts. Saif noted that the smaller GCC countries have often been frustrated with Saudi Arabia for not sharing the results of investigations into extremists in the Kingdom. End summary. Regional Security Cooperation Needs to Expand -------------- ¶2. (C) Sheikh Saif stated that he is not comfortable with the current level of coordination within the GCC on security issues. Noting that events in the other GCC countries affect the security of the UAE, he observed that coordination and communication needs to increase in order to ensure regional security. He observed that the cooperation between the UAE, Oman, and Bahrain is generally good. Information-sharing between the UAE and the Saudis and Kuwaitis was problematic, however. ¶3. (C) Sheikh Saif said that when the GCC Interior Ministers meet, they engage in detailed discussions of broad issues and specific cases, but he said that the security services of the different countries also need to meet and coordinate. Specifically, Sheikh Saif believes the GCC countries need to be more willing to share information with the police and intelligence services of the other nations regarding ongoing investigations into extremist activities. He noted that the other GCC countries have often been frustrated with Saudi Arabia for not sharing the results of investigations into extremists in the Kingdom. However, he observed the Kuwaitis have been hesitant to share information from their investigation into recent attacks in Kuwait. He noted that it is ironic that the Kuwaitis had been pushing for Saudi Arabia to be more open, but that as soon as the January 2005 attacks happened in their own country, they suddenly became more guarded. ¶4. (C) Sheikh Saif discussed the attitude of the senior leaders of the UAE, noting that President Khalifa and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed (MBZ) put pressure on all of the ministries to focus on security and to communicate with allies. Sheikh Saif anecdotally said that each day as they move around town, Khalifa and MBZ are fully cognizant of the UAE,s 85% foreign population, and they do not want what has happened in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to occur in the UAE. Saif identified the difference between the UAE style of leadership and that of Saudi authorities as a &generational8 difference. This generation of UAE leaders, he emphasized, believes that sharing as much information as possible with partners helps ensure the security of all nations involved. MOI Benefits from U.S. Training, Seeks More -------------- ¶5. (C) Sheikh Saif thanked the Ambassador for the training and assistance provided to the Ministry of Interior by the United States. He noted that as a result of recent DHS/ICE training and suggestions, the MOI recently established a department to examine critical infrastructure protection. He said that the Ministry is eager to explore other areas where the UAE could benefit from U.S.-sponsored training. The Ambassador suggested that one possible program would be a visit to the U.S. to show UAE officials how we coordinate our different local, state, and federal law enforcement elements. ¶6. (C) Sheikh Saif said they also benefited from our training programs because the programs &opened our eyes to possibilities8 and helped them be creative with developing their own programs. One such program seeks to enhance counterterror finance investigations by providing officers with a better understanding of the banking system. To reach that goal, five Abu Dhabi Police officers spent a year studying accounting, and now they will spend two years working at the UAE,s Central Bank. Sison SISON