FURTHER BACKGROUND ON UAE SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO

S E C R E T ABU DHABI 004263

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ARP, NEA/ELA, NEA/RA
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/FO
BEIRUT FOR AMBASSADOR FELTMAN, POLCHIEF, AND ODC CHIEF LTC
OGLESBEE
NSC FOR EABRAMS AND GMARCHESE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2016
TAGS: MASS PREL EAID LE AE
SUBJECT: FURTHER BACKGROUND ON UAE SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO
LEBANON

REFS: A) ABU DHABI 4239, B) STATE 183255, C) ABU DHABI 4213,
D) ABU DHABI 3686

Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 (B)
and (D).


1. (C) DATT and USLO Chief discussed UAE security assistance
to Lebanon November 9 with UAE Armed Forces Director of
Logistics MG Obaid Al-Heri Salem Al-Ketbi, following up on
prior conversations with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed's
International Affairs Director Yousef Al-Otaiba (ref A).
Al-Ketbi noted the UAE's extensive involvement in Lebanon and
specifically GHQ's role in building and operating a medical
center in Beirut, constructing/rehabilitating 30 police
stations, and building schools, in addition to donations of
materiel. He said the UAE officer in Beirut (see ref A) was
responsible for coordinating support and relaying GOL
priorities to the UAEG.


2. (S) Al-Ketbi said the UAE was involved in GCC-wide
coordination of military goods to Lebanon with UAE State
Security Director Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed at the center of the
effort for the UAE. A list of GOL requirements was being
considered by each GCC state. Regarding potential UAE
contributions, GHQ had prepared a list of things it could
contribute if asked; Sheikh Hazza had this list and would
coordinate with the GCC, although that process could take
time and Al-Ketbi could not comment on the substance of those
discussions -- he did say GHQ had not yet received any
specific tasking for support within the framework of the GCC
effort.


3. (C) Al-Ketbi did clarify that GHQ had purchased for
delivery 4 million rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, had
transferred from its stocks 5,000 Kalashnikov rifles, had
purchased for Lebanon 5,500 Arsenal rifles from Bulgaria
(compatible with the 5.56 mm ammunition),and that the UAE
thinks the LAF needs 499 HWMMV vehicles rather than the 1,000
noted ref B.


4. (C) Regarding communications systems, Al-Ketbi said the
GOL requested from the UAE a 10-million dollar police radio
system, but that the UAE had not agreed to provide the system
due to the lack of a national infrastructure in Lebanon to
support it. Contrary to Yousef Al-Otaiba's characterization
(ref A),Al-Ketbi said the UAE does have TETRA systems
communications and had reviewed GOL requests for a similar
network. The UAE determined, however, that Lebanon's
communications infrastructure could not at present support
this system. Building the infrastructure required would put
the price tag well above the $60 million purchase cost of the
TETRA system.
SISON