Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUDHABI2285
2006-06-05 11:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

FM SHEIKH ABDULLAH, PM SHEIKH MOHAMMED ON IRAN

Tags:  PREL PARM IR AE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7705
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
DE RUEHAD #2285/01 1561103
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 051103Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5466
INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 6216
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 002285 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/IR AND NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2016
TAGS: PREL PARM IR AE
SUBJECT: FM SHEIKH ABDULLAH, PM SHEIKH MOHAMMED ON IRAN
NUCLEAR PROGRAM

REF: A. ABU DHABI 1903

B. ABU DHABI 2277

ABU DHABI 00002285 001.2 OF 002


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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 002285

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/IR AND NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2016
TAGS: PREL PARM IR AE
SUBJECT: FM SHEIKH ABDULLAH, PM SHEIKH MOHAMMED ON IRAN
NUCLEAR PROGRAM

REF: A. ABU DHABI 1903

B. ABU DHABI 2277

ABU DHABI 00002285 001.2 OF 002


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


1. (C) Summary: UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin
Zayed (AbZ) chaired the GCC Foreign Ministers meeting in
Riyadh June 3 where the main point of deliberation was Iran's
nuclear program. Both AbZ and UAE VP/PM Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid (MbR) made public statements in recent days expressing
concern over Iran nuclear radiation leaks and calling for a
WMD-free Middle East. According to AbZ, Oman is hesitant to
go to Tehran on behalf of the GCC without clear "talking
points." End summary.


2. (C) The June 3 GCC Foreign Ministers meeting included a
two and one half hour meeting on Iran and "one minute on
Yemen," AbZ told Ambassador on June 4. "It was a tough
meeting." The foreign ministers did not agree on an approach
toward Iran, but will meet again on June 10 in Riyadh, still
with AbZ as chair. AbZ added that the Omanis are "hesitant
to go to Tehran" on behalf of the GCC states to deliver a
message expressing concern about Iran's nuclear program. At
the GCC Foreign Ministers meeting in Riyadh June 3, the
Omanis, according to AbZ, told fellow council members, "If
you want us to go, we need talking points."

-------------- ---
Sheikh Abdullah on Fears of Iran Nuclear Program
-------------- ---


3. (U) At a June 3 press conference following the GCC foreign
ministers meeting, AbZ asserted that "the GCC would support
all efforts to hold talks between the international community
and Iran to solve the stalemate through diplomatic means."
Elaborating on Gulf states' fears about Iran's nuclear
program, AbZ said, "Honestly speaking, we, as people of the
region, are afraid of the nuclear program. There is fear
that it could pose a danger to the region and its environment
as well." AbZ noted that Gulf states depend heavily on the
Gulf waters "for desalinated water as well as for
electricity. (The Gulf) is also used as a passage for
carrying energy resources to various parts of the world.
Hence, any radioactive leak from an Iranian nuclear power
plant could cause an enormous ecological catastrophe by
polluting the Gulf waters."


4. (U) Speaking at the opening of the GCC Foreign Ministers'
meeting June 3, AbZ repeated his comments that GCC states are
"extremely alarmed" by developments in Iran's nuclear
program, and discussed the "considerable fear" over the
potential for a radioactive leak at an Iranian nuclear power
plant causing an ecological catastrophe in the Gulf. He
called on Iran to cooperate fully with the International
Atomic Energy Agency and to come forward with more
substantive guarantees. AbZ reiterated the need for a
diplomatic solution (ref A) while advocating that the Gulf
and the broader Middle East be free of Weapons of Mass
Destruction. AbZ's statements were reported by the official
Emirates News Agency (WAM) and widely in both Arabic and
English language press.

-------------- --------------
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Call for WMD-Free Middle East
-------------- --------------


5. (U) Also on June 3, London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat
reported UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Mohammed bin
Rashid al-Maktoum (MbR) making almost identical statements in
a personal interview. Calling for the "clearing out" of
Weapons of Mass Destruction from the Middle East, MbR stated
that the issue must be addressed peacefully through
negotiations with "international legitimacy." He expressed
concern over Iran's nuclear program, "Any radioactive leakage
will affect the entire region," evoking the image of a
Chernobyl-type disaster in the Gulf.


6. (C) Comment: Senior UAEG officials appear to be
coordinating their messages on Iran. The UAEG, although
clearly worried about Iran's nuclear program, is careful to
portray its consternation, publicly at least, in
environmental and ecological terms rather than as military
and defense concerns. Seeking not to escalate what it views
as a potentially dangerous confrontation, the UAEG may be
looking for a compromise whereby Iran would continue to
pursue a non-weapons related nuclear program, but within the
confines of cooperation with the IAEA. End comment.

ABU DHABI 00002285 002.2 OF 002


SISON