Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUDHABI4382
2006-11-30 10:43:00
SECRET
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
VISIT OF THE SYRIAN PRESIDENT TO THE UAE
how-tonull Diana T Fritz 12/06/2006 04:37:08 PM From DB/Inbox: Diana T Fritz Cable Text: S E C R E T ABU DHABI 04382 SIPDIS CXABU: ACTION: AMB INFO: P/M POL DCM ECON DISSEMINATION: AMB CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: AMB:MJSISON DRAFTED: AMB:MJSISON CLEARED: NONE VZCZCADI697 OO RUEHC RUEHAM RUEHLB RUEHDM RUEHDE DE RUEHAD #4382 3341043 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 301043Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7775 INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0716 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0541 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0834 RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 6672
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 004382
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: PREL AE SY
SUBJECT: VISIT OF THE SYRIAN PRESIDENT TO THE UAE
REF: SECSTATE 193041 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 004382
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: PREL AE SY
SUBJECT: VISIT OF THE SYRIAN PRESIDENT TO THE UAE
REF: SECSTATE 193041 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) Ambassador spoke with Foreign Minister Abdullah bin
Zayed al Nahyan (AbZ) November 29 evening to relay USG
concern regarding news of a planned visit by Syrian President
Bashar al Assad to the UAE. With reference to Minister of
State al Sha,ali's comments the day before on a possible AbZ
visit to Damascus, Ambassador also urged that AbZ not travel
to Syria. It was important to avoid sending the message that
Syria,s misbehavior would be rewarded with enhanced
engagement by a major Gulf player, she emphasized.
2. (S) AbZ acknowledged that the Syrians might spin a Bashar
visit to Abu Dhabi as a diplomatic "win." He noted that
Bashar's travel had been postponed several times. A date had
not yet been set, although there had been discussion of a
possible December timeframe. Ambassador outlined the
possibility of such a visit undermining the government of PM
Siniora at a time when it was under intense pressure by Syria
and proxies. AbZ stated that the UAE leadership would take
into account the situation on the ground in Lebanon when
discussing a possible Syrian visit. Ambassador highlighted
again the need to avoid emboldening the Syrian regime and the
likely possibility that an AbZ visit to Damascus would be
exploited by the SARG. She reminded the Foreign Minister that
although Bashar had promised a "low profile" visit when AbZ
traveled to Damascus in July 2005, the SARG had ensured full
media coverage of the event.
3. (S) Embassy recommends that senior level USG interlocutors
echo these concerns with AbZ
on the margins of November 30 Forum for the Future sessions
in Jordan as well as at the upcoming December 8-9 IISS
meetings in Manama.
SISON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: PREL AE SY
SUBJECT: VISIT OF THE SYRIAN PRESIDENT TO THE UAE
REF: SECSTATE 193041 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) Ambassador spoke with Foreign Minister Abdullah bin
Zayed al Nahyan (AbZ) November 29 evening to relay USG
concern regarding news of a planned visit by Syrian President
Bashar al Assad to the UAE. With reference to Minister of
State al Sha,ali's comments the day before on a possible AbZ
visit to Damascus, Ambassador also urged that AbZ not travel
to Syria. It was important to avoid sending the message that
Syria,s misbehavior would be rewarded with enhanced
engagement by a major Gulf player, she emphasized.
2. (S) AbZ acknowledged that the Syrians might spin a Bashar
visit to Abu Dhabi as a diplomatic "win." He noted that
Bashar's travel had been postponed several times. A date had
not yet been set, although there had been discussion of a
possible December timeframe. Ambassador outlined the
possibility of such a visit undermining the government of PM
Siniora at a time when it was under intense pressure by Syria
and proxies. AbZ stated that the UAE leadership would take
into account the situation on the ground in Lebanon when
discussing a possible Syrian visit. Ambassador highlighted
again the need to avoid emboldening the Syrian regime and the
likely possibility that an AbZ visit to Damascus would be
exploited by the SARG. She reminded the Foreign Minister that
although Bashar had promised a "low profile" visit when AbZ
traveled to Damascus in July 2005, the SARG had ensured full
media coverage of the event.
3. (S) Embassy recommends that senior level USG interlocutors
echo these concerns with AbZ
on the margins of November 30 Forum for the Future sessions
in Jordan as well as at the upcoming December 8-9 IISS
meetings in Manama.
SISON