TFLE01: UAE HUMANITARIAN AID CONVOY ATTACKED

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 002940 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2016 TAGS: EAID KPAL LE SY AE SUBJECT: TFLE01: UAE HUMANITARIAN AID CONVOY ATTACKED REF: MJSISON-S/ES-O A WOODWARD TELCON 1400 ON 17JUL06 Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Per reftelcon, ConGen Dubai officer received a telephone call from General Director, State Security Mohamed al Qemzi at approximately 1340 local time reporting that a UAE humanitarian aid convoy traveling from Damascus to Beirut had been attacked. The exact location of the attack was not provided. Al Qamzi said that he was calling on behalf of Vice President/Prime Minister of UAE Mohammed bin Rashid (MbR is also ruler of Dubai). ¶2. (C) According to Al Qamzi, the convoy of some fifteen new ambulances had been en route from Damascus to Beirut. The convoy was also carrying a container of medical supplies. The relief represents a joint donation by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan and MbR, said al Qamzi. One of the convoy drivers was killed, he added, and an unknown number of ambulances destroyed. The convoy drivers abandoned the vehicles and hid in a nearby church for cover. Al Qemzi added that the attack of a clearly marked humanitarian relief vehicle was "unacceptable." He also asked that the USG urge Israel "to exercise restraint." ¶3. (C) Note: per ref B, UAEG dispatched 25 ambulances via cargo aircraft to Damascus on July 16; the fifteen vehicles in the convoy represent the first of two expected deliveries. SISON