S/CT COORDINATOR CRUMPTON DISCUSSES

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 ABU DHABI 001932

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR S/CT, NEA/FO, NEA/ARP, NEA/IR AND INR/NESA
NSC FOR FTOWNSEND

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2016
TAGS: PTER PINS PREL KISL KPAL KWBG PK AF LE JO
IS, IR, IZ, YE, AE
SUBJECT: S/CT COORDINATOR CRUMPTON DISCUSSES
COUNTERTERRORISM WITH UAE FOREIGN MINISTER

REF: ABU DHABI 1930

ABU DHABI 00001932 001.2 OF 004


Classified By: AMBASSADOR MICHELE J. SISON, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (S) Summary: During a May 7 meeting with UAE Foreign
Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan (AbZ),
Department of State Coordinator for Counterterrorism Henry
Crumpton and Ambassador received a readout of the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders' 8th consultative summit,
held a day earlier in Riyadh. Seized with the Iran issue,
AbZ reported that the GCC agreed to send an Omani delegation
to Iran to highlight GCC worries over Iran,s nuclear
program. GCC leaders also discussed Iranian support for
terrorism and Hizballah, and their common concern over
militant groups infiltrating across the Saudi and Kuwaiti
border. AbZ opined that it was "too early" for the U.S. to
engage directly with the Iranians. He was also of the view
that Iran will attempt to divide the international community
on its nuclear capability. AbZ reiterated to us that the UAE
cannot afford to provoke Iran, despite ongoing Iranian
intelligence activities that are potentially threatening to
the UAE and U.S. assets in the UAE. AbZ also noted that
Bahrain agreed to host an international counterterrorism
center, and the GCC leaders discussed giving Yemen $17
billion over 10 years and supporting Yemeni President Saleh's
re-election at the Riyadh summit.


2. (S) Summary continued: AbZ and Crumpton agreed that
Afghanistan needed friends and more foreign investment and
confidence, and that Pakistan needed help from its friends to
locate al-Qaida leadership. They also conferred on Lebanon's
need for assistance from its partners to counter inroads made
by Hizballah and other extremists there. AbZ reported that
the UAE was committed to spending $50 million to build three
dozen police stations across Lebanon. The two sides also
discussed Jordan's concerns about foreign fighters in Iraq
using Jordan's borders )- a theme that could be useful for
the U.S., Jordan, and the UAE to discuss together. On the
Palestinian situation, AbZ made clear that the UAE was not
about to support Hamas financially. End Summary.


3. (U) On May 7, Department of State Coordinator for
Counterterrorism Henry Crumpton and Ambassador met with UAE
Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah and MFA Under Secretary
Abdullah Rashid al-Noaimi. Crumpton was accompanied by S/CT
Senior Advisor Michael Hurley, and Polchief was note taker.

GCC Summit Readout: Concern About Iran, Support for Yemen
-------------- --------------


4. (C) AbZ offered a readout of the previous day's GCC
leaders' 8th consultative summit in Riyadh, which he attended
as part of UAE President Khalifa's delegation. The GCC
leadership was very concerned about Iran, and agreed to send
an Omani delegation to Iran to highlight the GCC's worries
over its "peaceful" nuclear program, according to AbZ. The
Omanis are expected to consult with Sultan Qaboos about the
appropriate envoy who would lead the delegation, although AbZ
told us he believes it will be Oman's Deputy Prime Minister
Sayyid al-Said. Oman was selected for this mission because
it is the only country "with no conflict with the Iranians,"
he added. GCC Secretary General al-Attiya will accompany the
Omani delegation "to show there is clear representation of
the GCC." AbZ noted that the last time a GCC delegation
(Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar) traveled to Iran to mediate
the Iran-UAE islands dispute, "it went very badly."


5. (C) Crumpton inquired whether the delegation to Iran would
address the nuclear program exclusively. AbZ admitted that
there was a lot of debate among the GCC leadership on other
issues, including a free trade agreement with Iran, but the
consensus was "a very clear no" on the trade issue. The
leaders wanted to send only one message to the Iranians. "I
can't emphasize how much concern there was," AbZ told us.
The GCC leaders also touched on the Iraq situation and
especially the problem of Iranian influence in the region and
terrorist infiltration in the region and in Iraq. There was
reportedly very little discussion on the Iraqi political

ABU DHABI 00001932 002.2 OF 004


process.


6. (S) Crumpton asked AbZ to elaborate on the subject of
Iranian support for terrorism and Hizballah. AbZ explained
that the Hizballah issue came up in the context of Iran's
role in the region. There is "a lot of worry" about militant
groups infiltrating across the Saudi and Kuwaiti borders,
about arms and explosives reaching Saudi radicals, and about
militants coming back from Iraq "with a lot of experience,"
he said, referring to insurgents in Iraq. AbZ clarified that
these were common concerns expressed at the summit, and were
not necessarily based on solid information. Crumpton shared
with AbZ his concern about "terrorism mobility" around Iraq
and inquired how partners might work together on this issue.
AbZ cautioned that Hizballah may be using Sunnis as well as
Shi'a in their activities.


7. (S) Crumpton informed AbZ that Afghan President Karzai had
told him last week that he found Iranian President
Ahmedinejad "more conciliatory" than before, focusing on the
importance of economic success, and not mentioning Coalition
forces in Afghanistan. Crumpton noted that this was clearly
a message intended for the U.S. Iranians have invested
heavily in western Afghanistan. In Herat, for example, homes
and businesses have electricity. Still, Crumpton said it was
not clear what Ahmedinejad was trying to convey, and
Ahmedinejad had not responded to overtures by Ambassador
Khalilzad. "Ahmedinejad is not the one calling the shots,"
U/S al-Noaimi opined. Based on the UAE's past experience,
al-Noaimi assessed that the Supreme Leader and Iranian
intelligence are making policy. The mullahs and Ahmedinejad
have different goals and they pursue "multi-track policies."
AbZ interrupted, saying the Iranians "try to lead others into
believing there are different tones within the Iranian
leadership." Did the UAE have any recommendations for the
USG, which is studying a variety of options? Crumpton asked.
AbZ replied that it was "too early today for Americans to
engage directly with the Iranians."


8. (S) Elaborating on the Iran Government's political
tactics, AbZ noted that Iran will attempt to divide the
international community on its nuclear capability. If there
is international opposition to its nuclear program, Iran will
find the one country that supports what it is doing and
ignore the others. "Unless we get everyone in order, I
believe it is close to impossible to break the Iranians," AbZ
said, referring to the Russian and Chinese positions on Iran.
"You have to understand that we in the region are in a tough
position. We cannot be as tough as you want or need us to
be, on the message or with the action," AbZ added.


9. (S) Echoing what his brother, State Security Director
Sheikh Hazza, had told Crumpton in an earlier meeting about
the UAE not wanting to provoke Iran (reftel),AbZ mentioned
the challenges his government faces from Iranian intelligence
activities in the region, a large resident Iranian community
in the UAE, and a strong presence of UAE nationals of Iranian
origin. "It is not that they are unpatriotic," he added, but
"they have different views." Crumpton assured AbZ that the
U.S. did not want to place the UAE in jeopardy. "We want
complementary policies. We have interdependence in the
intelligence arena; we need that with our counter-terror
policies as well," he told AbZ. AbZ also discussed the role
Iran was playing in the Muslim world. &"hey are filling a
vacuum that has been quite empty for some time," he said.
"Although Ahmedinejad's rhetoric is unacceptable to most
countries, it is powerful," he conceded.


10. (S) Turning to other issues on the GCC summit agenda, the
leaders also reportedly discussed how the GCC states could
support Yemen and Yemeni President Saleh at the next
presidential election. AbZ indicated there was concern among
GCC leaders that Yemen would produce another Hamas scenario
in the region. In order to prevent such a scenario, the GCC
discussed holding a donors conference in London in November
2006 as well as the possibility of pledging $17 billion over
the next 10 years to help Yemen. The GCC leadership also was
concerned that those funds end up in the "right hands." The

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U.S. shares that concern, Crumpton told AbZ. Crumpton noted
that approximately 100 Yemenis are to be released from
Guantanamo Detention Facility and transferred back to Yemen
in the future, and that the U.S. would be interested in
discussing prisoner treatment, rule of law, and improved
prisons with the Yemeni Government. He asked for the UAEG's
advice on this. "No doubt we will need U.S. support,"
whether financial, technical or political, AbZ replied.

Bahrain to Host International CT Center
--------------


11. (C) AbZ reported that Bahrain agreed to host an
international (not regional) counterterrorism center, which
Saudi King Abdullah had been promoting. "I am not sure that
will happen soon," he said. "It will be a forum to exchange
ideas, intelligence, and information," he surmised. The
other item of business on the GCC consultative summit's
agenda was a paper presented by the Kuwaiti Emir. AbZ told
us that he was expecting a paper laying out possible
solutions for the tension that exists between Saudi Arabia
and its neighbors, including the UAE. Instead, there was
"basically nothing," he said. The paper described the
importance of the GCC, the fact that the region is living in
difficult times, and the challenge of making good use of the
wealth of the region. The paper reportedly advocated
resolving regional problems by strengthening the GCC. AbZ
told us that this would be "very difficult" to achieve,
particularly when the Saudis were "very determined not to
talk about any conflict. That (the Saudi approach) is not
the way to solve issues."

Saudi CT Cooperation
--------------


12. (S) Crumpton inquired about AbZ's assessment of the
Saudis' counterterrorism cooperation. AbZ said Saudi
intelligence chief, Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, was a close
friend whom he has known for a long time. He is an honest
person. In general, AbZ said, he had not seen "any hesitancy
from the Saudis to have a good relationship on
counterterrorism issues," although he characterized the Saudi
structure as "complicated and slow."

Afghanistan and Pakistan
--------------


13. (S) Crumpton briefed AbZ on his meetings in Afghanistan
and Pakistan. While the Afghans will benefit from a UAE
telecommunications contract and UAE-Afghanistan airline
service (Air Arabia and Emirates Airlines),they need friends
as well as positive signals of investment and confidence,
Crumpton said. The UAE has been a role model in the Arab
world in that regard, he added. President Karzai is
"desperate" to address his country's narco-terrorism problem.
Crumpton also credited Pakistan with doing "more than any
single country in capturing al-Qaida leadership, including
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Crumpton noted that despite a
weakened leadership and communications network, al-Qaida was
still planning attacks, including in the UAE, which has a
good relationship with the U.S. and is a symbol of
globalization. Pakistan needs help from its friends to
locate al-Qaida's leadership, who are thought to be on the
Pakistan side of the Pak-Afghan border, he added.


14. (S) AbZ mentioned that the UAE will be making more
commitments to Afghanistan, including sending an ambassador
to Kabul "very soon." AbZ reported receiving "a lot of
complaints from Afghanistan about Pakistan ... Karzai has to
understand that there is a limit on the amount of pressure we
can put on Musharraf. We have to make sure that Musharraf is
there for a very long time." Crumpton agreed, saying it was
"less about pressure and more about encouragement and
constructive support." We should also find a way to build up
support for local tribal leaders who control the Pak-Afghan
border area, Crumpton added.

Lebanon and Syria

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--------------


15. (C) AbZ and Crumpton also discussed the need to help the
Government of Lebanon and Prime Minister Siniora succeed
against Hizballah and Palestinian rejectionists. AbZ noted
that even some Sunnis were becoming less supportive of the
Lebanese government. The UAE had also heard from Saad Hariri
that some Sunni clerics in Lebanon were receiving financial
support from Iran. AbZ reported that the UAE was committed
to spending $50 million to build 36 police stations in
different regions of Lebanon. The UAE also plans to fund a
hospital in Beirut. He noted that all these projects were
"related to intelligence and security in Lebanon." He added
that corruption in Lebanon made the UAE's task more
difficult. Crumpton informed AbZ that he would request a
U.S. assessment of the situation in Lebanon, and he would
then seek the UAEG's feedback. Ambassador noted that
Assistant Secretary Hillen would be discussing UAE support
for the Lebanese armed forces during his upcoming visit to
Abu Dhabi.

Jordan's Border Worries
--------------


16. (S) AbZ shared some of the content of his meeting two
weeks ago with Jordan's King Abdallah and Jordan,s head of
the intelligence. They discussed Iran, Iraq, and the
Palestinian situation. King Abdallah "sounded very down,"
according to AbZ. King Abdallah spoke with AbZ about Syria
and the problem of infiltration across its border with Iraq.
King Abdallah is thinking of redeploying his own troops from
the south to the east and north to deal with infiltrators,
and knows the Saudis will not like his decision. Crumpton
said the Syrians were not doing anything about the porous
borders. King Abdallah reportedly told AbZ that foreign
fighters are going through Syria and Jordan, then to Saudi
Arabia. AbZ said the UAE has been "in continuous exchange"
with the Jordanians to assist them, including with
counter-terror resources. Crumpton recommended a three-way
discussion between the U.S., UAE, and Jordan to pursue ways
to improve Jordan's security, especially its homeland
security.

Israel and Palestinians
--------------


17. (C) Crumpton and AbZ also discussed the situation in
Israel and the Palestinian territories, with AbZ stating that
Israel seemed unconcerned about the consequences to
themselves or Jordan of their decision to turn inward. "This
is the fee you pay for democracies," AbZ said. "At the next
election, you should make sure your party wins," he added,
referring to Hamas' victory. Israel has tried for years to
engage with the Arabs, then they had a policy of disengaging
from Gaza, and the result was a Hamas win, he said.
Addressing a question about a possible collapse of Hamas, AbZ
asked a question of his own. "How do we get Hamas to
collapse without having all the institutions we built after
Oslo collapsing as well?" AbZ recounted a meeting in his
office with Mahmoud al-Zahar, foreign minister in the
Palestinian Authority administration formed by Hamas.
According to AbZ, Al-Zahar told him that if Hamas wants to
win, Hamas can win in Jordan and in other states as well.
AbZ added that al-Zahar also thought the UAE was "going to
give him a check." AbZ told al-Zahar no, but he does not
know if al-Zahar got the message. "I told him that if you do
not come public and support (then Saudi Crown Prince)
Abdullah's initiative, you won't get anything," AbZ said,
referring to the Beirut initiative. Al-Zahar reportedly told
AbZ that the Saudis had not taken as harsh a position as the
Emiratis. For the UAE, AbZ replied, "it's a matter of
principle."
SISON