APHSCT TOWNSEND DISCUSSES IRAN, REGIONAL CT ISSUES

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 ABU DHABI 002695 SIPDIS SIPDIS NOFORN STATE FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ARP, S/CT, INR/NESA NSC FOR FRAN TOWNSEND, MMALVESTI, MTAYLOR, NSHAMPAINE COMMERCE FOR U/S DMCCORMICK, WWYSONG E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2016 TAGS: PTER PINS EPET ETTC SY IR IQ AE SUBJECT: APHSCT TOWNSEND DISCUSSES IRAN, REGIONAL CT ISSUES WITH UAE STATE SECURITY DIRECTOR REF: A. ABU DHABI 2358 ¶B. ABU DHABI 2422 ¶C. ABU DHABI 2633 ¶D. ABU DHABI 2245 Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (S/NF) Summary. On June 19, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counter Terrorism (APHSCT) Frances Fragos Townsend met with the Director of the UAE's State Security Department (SSD) Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed al-Nahyan to discuss the growing Iranian threat in the region and ongoing U.S./UAE counterterrorism cooperation. Hazza reported that Iranian intelligence units are actively gathering information in the UAE. Describing the relationship between UAE and Syrian intelligence services as "not fully successful yet," Hazza said the Syrians do not cooperate at all on issues relating to Iran. Hazza expressed concern over any security incentives that the P-5 plus 1 may have offered Iran. The UAE continues to work with Iyad Allawi in Iraq to encourage greater Sunni and moderate Shi'a participation. Hazza stressed securing the country should be the new Iraqi government's top priority. During a discussion about the Palestinian Territories, Hazza stated that with additional financial support, Fatah might effectively be a counter to Hamas. Recognizing that communication between Pakistan and Afghanistan is essential to Afghanistan's stability, the UAE continues to mediate between the two countries. Townsend and Hazza discussed the problem of Yemeni tribal relationships influencing the government's willingness to cooperate with international efforts to counter extremism. The UAE is in the process of forming its newly-announced National Security Council End summary. ¶2. (S/NF) Hazza was accompanied by SSD Director of External Relations Colonel Hamad al-Shamsi, SSD Director for Counterterrorism Major Saif Majed al-Mehairi, and SSD Chief, European and American External Relations Department, Major Sultan Saeed Mohammed Saleh al-Shamisi. APHSCT Townsend was accompanied by Ambassador, NSC Senior Director for Combating Terrorism Dr. Michelle Malvesti, Aide to APHSCT Michael Taylor, PolMil Chief, and Econoff (notetaker). Iran - A Continuing Concern -------------- ¶3. (S/NF) APHSCT Townsend began the meeting by thanking Hazza for the UAE's cooperation with the U.S. on counter- terrorism, counter-proliferation, and Iran. Agreeing that cooperation with "friends" is essential, Hazza told Townsend that the U.S. and the UAE have the same objective of countering both terrorism and the growing Iranian threat, and he noted that the UAE's cooperation with the U.S. has no limits. "We will work with you until we feel we are in a risky position (on matters relating to Iran)." ¶4. (S/NF) Hazza reported that he is growing more concerned about Iranian activity in the UAE. The Iranians have recently stepped up their intelligence collection efforts in the UAE, with a particular emphasis on UAE and U.S. military sites, he said. Additionally, Hazza stated that the Iranian intelligence service tries to "use" Iranian citizens and Shi'a living in UAE. Hazza noted that the SSD is in the process of forming a special unit to counter Iranian and Shi'a influence in the country. ¶5. (S/NF) Hazza told Townsend that the SSD had no formal relationship with Iranian intelligence units, but that the SSD established a relationship with Syrian intelligence 5-6 years ago. Hazza said that cooperation with the Syrians is "hit or miss" and that they are "not cooperative at all" on issues relating to Iran. Although the SSD is trying to improve the relationship between the two services, Hazza stated that he is aware Iranian intelligence is working through Syrian intelligence to gather information in the UAE and the region. ¶6. (S/NF) Turning to a discussion about potential dialogue with Iran, Hazza probed for more detail on the P-5 plus 1 ABU DHABI 00002695 002 OF 003 package. In particular he wanted more information on any security incentives for Iran that might have been included. APHSCT Townsend responded that the USG agreed to not share details until Iran has a chance to review the package, but she did note that President Bush had approved the proposal. (Note: Hazza's brother, ForMin Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, had also asked Ambassador for the same information, refs A-B). Townsend told Hazza that the decision to dialogue rests with Iran. She asked for the UAE's assistance in measuring Iranian commitment to any future dialogue. Securing Iraq - Continued UAE Role -------------- ¶7. (S) SSD Director of External Relations Colonel Hamad al-Shamsi briefed APHSCT Townsend on Iyad Allawi and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Khalilzad's June 15 meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed (HbZ) (which Ambassador Sison and al-Shamsi had also attended, ref C). Al-Shamsi said that Allawi is forming a "national unity front" that will be "more effective than before." Among other things, Allawi wants to reach out to moderate Shi'a, and the UAE is encouraging and facilitating this effort. A month ago, al-Shamsi reported, anti-Iranian senior Shia'a tribal leaders from southern Iraq visited the UAE to discuss ways to get out from under Iranian influence, and al-Shamsi said that the UAE and other regional players in the &Group of Six8 were helping them to coordinate with other moderates like Allawi. ¶8. (C) Noting that Iraq is "in the middle of a thunderstorm," Hazza said that the death of Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi was a very positive development. However, the most important job of the new Iraqi government remains the issue of securing the country, he said. The new Ministry of Interior has an important role to play, but the government must carefully monitor it to ensure that it is not corrupt. Additionally, al-Shamsi said that the government must find a way to eliminate the "militias" that are continuing the insurgency. Al-Shamsi said that once the government secures the country, only then will it be able to work to attract foreign direct investment. He indicated, however, that the UAE is favorably considering the idea of hosting a regional conference to encourage economic development in Iraq (particularly in the oil and gas sector),which was discussed during Khalilzad's meeting with HbZ. Supporting Fatah to Counter Hamas -------------- ¶9. (S) Townsend began a discussion of the Palestinian territories and Hamas by telling Hazza that the USG understands and supports the UAEG's desire to provide aid to Mahmud Dahlan. Hazza told Townsend that the UAE agrees with the U.S. policy of not supporting the Hamas-led Palestinian government. He reiterated his belief that if Hamas successfully governs, it could encourage other extremist organizations. "As Muslims and Arabs, we worry that their efforts will destroy us...I believe that the only people who can be successful in the West Bank and Gaza are the PLO and Fatah." Al-Shamsi elaborated and said that the UAE believes it is important to support Fatah and the PLO's efforts and to try to erode support for Hamas. Hazza said that the UAE has encouraged Fatah to remove corrupt officials, and al-Shamsi said that Fatah is trying to reform itself by bringing competent technocrats into the organization to do such things as control NGO activity in the West Bank and Gaza. Al-Shamsi noted, however, that Fatah needs more financing to support its efforts. "If Fatah had the same funds as Hamas, then they could more effectively challenge Hamas," he said. In particular, he said that if Fatah's security forces had more financial support, they could more effectively counter Hamas. If Hamas feels enough international pressure, it might accept the PLO position regarding Israel, al-Shamsi said. Mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan -------------- ¶10. (S) Hazza told Townsend that UAE ForMin Sheikh Abdullah ABU DHABI 00002695 003 OF 003 bin Zayed al-Nahyan intends to host Afghanistan and Pakistan in a security meeting to try to resolve outstanding issues between the two countries. Hazza said that successful mediation is essential because Pakistan will play an important role in ensuring Afghanistan has the "good future it deserves." Hazza also added that building trust between the two countries security services will be a critical part of the process, noting that the chiefs of the two services would meet shortly in Abu Dhabi. Regional Stability - Problems in Yemen -------------- ¶11. (S) In a discussion about ensuring terrorists do not use the UAE as a base and/or transit point, Hazza assured APHSCT Townsend that the UAE had implemented security procedures that make it difficult for individuals to smuggle explosives or dangerous items into or through the country. Noting that Yemeni cooperation with the USG has deteriorated in the past year, Townsend voiced concern about the risk of explosives coming into the UAE and other neighboring countries from Yemen. Hazza agreed that the situation in Yemen is difficult, particularly given the fact that the Yemeni Government does not exercise control over all of the various tribes. The UAE's approach is to dialogue with Yemen and encourage them to take action against extremist tribal elements, he said. Townsend noted that one of the most problematic figures, Abdelmajid Zindani, exploits Yemeni President Saleh's inability to exercise control as a tool against the U.S. and the international community. Agreeing, Hazza noted that the problem is twofold. First, Zindani is the holy leader of a tribe with close ties to President Saleh. Second, the Muslim Brotherhood has "penetrated" the Yemeni Government, and is pressuring it to not take action against Zindani and other extremists. UAE's National Security Council -------------- ¶12. (C) APHSCT Townsend congratulated Hazza on the recent formation of the UAE's National Security Council (ref D). Hazza said that he believes the committee will be an important mechanism to enhancing the UAE's own security. Hazza reported that the council members are in the process of appointing the individuals who will serve on the secretariat to run the day-to-day operations of the council and that a National Security Advisor would soon be named. SISON