Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUDHABI2422
2006-06-12 11:47:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
FM FEEDBACK ON GCC MEETING; UAE REACTION TO GULF
how-toVZCZCXYZ0012 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAD #2422 1631147 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 121147Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5636 INFO RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA 1284 RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 1131 RUEHMK/AMEMBASSY MANAMA 1214 RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT 0533 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 1576 RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 002422
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NOFORN
STATE FOR PM/RSAT, NEA/IR AND NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS IR AE
SUBJECT: FM FEEDBACK ON GCC MEETING; UAE REACTION TO GULF
SECURITY DIALOGUE
REF: A. ABU DHABI 2358
B. STATE 94092
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 b and d.
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 002422
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NOFORN
STATE FOR PM/RSAT, NEA/IR AND NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS IR AE
SUBJECT: FM FEEDBACK ON GCC MEETING; UAE REACTION TO GULF
SECURITY DIALOGUE
REF: A. ABU DHABI 2358
B. STATE 94092
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 b and d.
1. (S) SUMMARY. Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed
(AbZ) told Ambassador on June 11 that the previous day's GCC
Foreign Ministers meeting in Riyadh had been a
"brainstorming" session on Iran rather than a decision-making
session. He complained again that he was "very disappointed"
with EU Foreign Policy Chief Solana and the European input
into the recent incentives/disincentives package for Iran.
The Gulf Security Dialog should launch bilaterally at first,
US-UAE, AbZ stated; if the entire GCC were called together
"nothing would happen." Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's
Office has proposed that the GSD first round take place in
July; UAEG participants and venue TBD. END SUMMARY.
2. (S) AbZ downplayed the one-hour GCC Foreign Ministers
meeting in Riyadh, saying that no decisions had been taken,
although "some voices" had pushed for greater GCC engagement
with the Iranians. Although AbZ declined to comment on which
voices those were, he argued that "we have to live in this
neighborhood, not the U.S. or the Europeans. It is very
difficult for us." Echoing his June 8 comments (ref A),AbZ
said that he was "very disappointed" with the Europeans for
their "having insisted" on a "security element" as part of
the Iranian incentive package. There should have been much
more engagement by the Europeans with regard to the Iran
incentives/disincentives package, he said. He welcomed the
U.S. proposal for a first round of Assistant Secretary-level
Gulf Security Dialog talks, and suggested that the process
kept US-UAE for the time being.
3. (S) Ambassador also met with Yousef al Otaiba,
International Affairs Director for Crown Prince Mohammed bin
Zayed (MbZ),on June 10 to present the Gulf Security Dialog
nonpaper (ref B) and seek UAE input on timing for GSD
follow-on discussions. Al Otaiba, who had met the
Henry-Hillen delegation on May 17 with MbZ, welcomed the
paper. He noted that the Crown Prince was very interested in
keeping up the momentum of US-UAE consultation on Gulf
security matters. Al Otaiba read the text carefully, and
agreed that the first round of bilateral GSD discussions
would ideally take place soon; he proposed July and offered
suggestions on counterpart UAEG participants. Al Otaiba also
emphasized that keeping the delegations small (3-4
participants) might offer the best option for addressing the
proposed agenda items. He noted that he would likely be
among the participants.
4. (S) Al Otaiba agreed to provide MbZ's feedback on any
additional agenda items and confirmation of timing and
location shortly. Al Otaiba cautioned that the Crown Prince
would likely wish to keep the talks bilateral in nature. MbZ
(and Otaiba) departed June 11 for twelve days abroad
(including stops in Korea and Thailand).
SISON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NOFORN
STATE FOR PM/RSAT, NEA/IR AND NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS IR AE
SUBJECT: FM FEEDBACK ON GCC MEETING; UAE REACTION TO GULF
SECURITY DIALOGUE
REF: A. ABU DHABI 2358
B. STATE 94092
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 b and d.
1. (S) SUMMARY. Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed
(AbZ) told Ambassador on June 11 that the previous day's GCC
Foreign Ministers meeting in Riyadh had been a
"brainstorming" session on Iran rather than a decision-making
session. He complained again that he was "very disappointed"
with EU Foreign Policy Chief Solana and the European input
into the recent incentives/disincentives package for Iran.
The Gulf Security Dialog should launch bilaterally at first,
US-UAE, AbZ stated; if the entire GCC were called together
"nothing would happen." Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's
Office has proposed that the GSD first round take place in
July; UAEG participants and venue TBD. END SUMMARY.
2. (S) AbZ downplayed the one-hour GCC Foreign Ministers
meeting in Riyadh, saying that no decisions had been taken,
although "some voices" had pushed for greater GCC engagement
with the Iranians. Although AbZ declined to comment on which
voices those were, he argued that "we have to live in this
neighborhood, not the U.S. or the Europeans. It is very
difficult for us." Echoing his June 8 comments (ref A),AbZ
said that he was "very disappointed" with the Europeans for
their "having insisted" on a "security element" as part of
the Iranian incentive package. There should have been much
more engagement by the Europeans with regard to the Iran
incentives/disincentives package, he said. He welcomed the
U.S. proposal for a first round of Assistant Secretary-level
Gulf Security Dialog talks, and suggested that the process
kept US-UAE for the time being.
3. (S) Ambassador also met with Yousef al Otaiba,
International Affairs Director for Crown Prince Mohammed bin
Zayed (MbZ),on June 10 to present the Gulf Security Dialog
nonpaper (ref B) and seek UAE input on timing for GSD
follow-on discussions. Al Otaiba, who had met the
Henry-Hillen delegation on May 17 with MbZ, welcomed the
paper. He noted that the Crown Prince was very interested in
keeping up the momentum of US-UAE consultation on Gulf
security matters. Al Otaiba read the text carefully, and
agreed that the first round of bilateral GSD discussions
would ideally take place soon; he proposed July and offered
suggestions on counterpart UAEG participants. Al Otaiba also
emphasized that keeping the delegations small (3-4
participants) might offer the best option for addressing the
proposed agenda items. He noted that he would likely be
among the participants.
4. (S) Al Otaiba agreed to provide MbZ's feedback on any
additional agenda items and confirmation of timing and
location shortly. Al Otaiba cautioned that the Crown Prince
would likely wish to keep the talks bilateral in nature. MbZ
(and Otaiba) departed June 11 for twelve days abroad
(including stops in Korea and Thailand).
SISON