DESIGNATION OF AL-MANAR, LEBANESE MEDIA GROUP, AND AL-NOUR

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 001120 SIPDIS STATE FOR S/CT AND NEA/ARPI NSC FOR NSHAMPAINE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2016 TAGS: PTER ASEC ETTC KPAO AE SUBJECT: DESIGNATION OF AL-MANAR, LEBANESE MEDIA GROUP, AND AL-NOUR REF: STATE 44261 Classified By: AMBASSADOR MICHELE J. SISON, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) Ambassador met with MFA U/S Abdullah Rashid al-Noaimi March 22 to inform him of the USG´s intent to designate domestically al-Manar Television, the Lebanese Media Group, and al-Nour Radio as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under Executive Order 13224. Ambassador noted that the designation will take place on or about March 23 and left copies of the non-papers and E.O. ¶2. (C) Ambassador urged the UAEG to take measures similar to the USG´s to block the funds and financial assets of the media organizations that may be located in the UAE, and to make public statements in support of this action and in condemnation of Hizballah. Ambassador explained that the USG is requesting the UAEG to remove al-Manar and al-Nour from Arabsat highlighting. Ambassador noted that the USG was approaching other Arab states as well (the percentage of UAE´s participation in the paid capital of Arabsat is 4.66 percent). ¶3. (C) Al-Noaimi replied that he would need to pass this information directly to Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, who is currently in London. Al-Noaimi related that Sheikh Abdullah is "very concerned" as Foreign Minister, as are other Emiratis, that Hizballah represents "more of a threat than al-Qaida or the Taliban." Hizballah has "more dangerous ambitions" and is well-funded and well-organized, he added. We will follow up with FM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, who held the Information Minister portfolio from 1992 until February 2006 and who is familiar with Arabsat, upon his return to Abu Dhabi. SISON