DIRECTOR OF DUBAI IMMIGRATION DISMISSED

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBAI 004105 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 7/3/2016 TAGS: PINS PGOV PHUM AE SUBJECT: DIRECTOR OF DUBAI IMMIGRATION DISMISSED CLASSIFIED BY: Jillian L. Burns, Acting Consul General, Dubai, UAE. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) 1.(U) Brigadier Saeed Mattar bin Bleilah was dismissed from his position as the director of Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) by Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid al-Maktoum on Sunday, July 2. Bin Bleilah had served in that position for more than 30 years. In addition, Colonel Ali Bu Jsaim, the deputy director of DNRD was relieved from duty. 2.(SBU) Colonel Mohammad Ahmad Rashid al-Merri -- not known to the Consulate -- was promoted to brigadier and appointed director of DNRD. Lieutenant Colonel Rashid Bekhit Rashid Al-Jumairi was promoted to colonel and was appointed the deputy director of DNRD. 3.(U) The local Arabic and English language newspapers carried the story on their front pages but provided no other information as to the reasons for the changes at DNRD. 4.(C)Sources in DNRD told PoleconFSN that bin Bleilah and Bu Jsaim had been engaged in a dispute since November 2005 and that last March Sheikh Mohammad personally warned bin Bleilah and Bu Jsaim to settle their dispute. 5.(C) Comment: A public dismissal of such a prominent official is relatively rare here. It is unlikely that Dubai's ruler would have taken such drastic action over a minor dispute. Additional information concerning the changes at DNRD and any consequences will be reported as they come to light. BURNS