Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ABUDHABI508
2005-02-02 13:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
UAE INTERIOR MINISTER ENGAGED ON REGIONAL CT
how-tonull Diana T Fritz 12/06/2006 03:02:30 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results Cable Text: C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 00508 SIPDIS CXABU: ACTION: AMB INFO: DCM POL ECON DISSEMINATION: AMB CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: AMB:MJSISON DRAFTED: ECON:AECURTIS CLEARED: DCM:RALBRIGHT VZCZCADI645 PP RUEHC RUEHZM RUEHDE RHEHNSC DE RUEHAD #0508 0331324 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 021324Z FEB 05 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7988 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 4795 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
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).
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
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