DUBAI CUSTOMS DIRECTOR PRAISES COOPERATION, ASKS SENATOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBAI 006954 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL ETRD ETTC AE SUBJECT: DUBAI CUSTOMS DIRECTOR PRAISES COOPERATION, ASKS SENATOR COLEMAN ABOUT MLA CLASSIFIED BY: Paul R Sutphin, Consul General, Dubai, UAE. REASON: 1.4 (d),(e) 1.(C) On 21 December, U.S. Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) met with the Director General of Dubai Customs, Ahmed Butti Ahmed, to discuss port security and bilateral cooperation. Butti said Customs is improving its technology and training due to its participation in the Container Security Initiative (CSI) and Megaports Initiative. Butti asked if it would be possible to move faster on a cooperation agreement for customs training (there is a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) negotiation already underway). End Summary 2.(SBU) Butti highlighted the challenges faced in Dubai to Senator Coleman, Consul General, Embassy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Attache, Assistant ICE Attache and PolEconoff (notetaker). He said safety and security is Customs first priority and Customs is modernizing procedures and processes to become more efficient and effective. Butti mentioned CSI and the Megaports Initiative as two examples of improved technology, training and cooperation, noting that Dubai had come to the U.S. seeking participation in the programs. Butti discussed Customs' advanced shipment tracking and scanning technology which is used to flag and inspect suspect shipments. He also stressed specific training Customs officers receive - such as drug interdiction and scanning techniques - to make them experts in those areas. 3.(SBU) Senator Coleman thanked Butti for Dubai's efforts to ensure the safety of Americans through the excellent cooperation the U.S. receives from Customs. Butti praised the work of U.S. ICE personnel who work in Dubai, saying ICE and Dubai Customs are one team. He noted that Dubai Customs has a green light from the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to cooperate to the maximum with ICE. Senator Coleman visited the Container Security Initiative office, which is located at Dubai Customs headquarters at Port Rashid for a briefing on CSI operations. He saw how all containers bound for the U.S. are scrutinized, and to date Dubai Customs has a 100% track record in scanning those that CSI selects for further scrutiny. 4.(C) Butti spoke about a recent MOU signed with the U.K. on technology assistance, training, officer exchanges and other areas. He asked whether it would be possible to move more quickly on establishing something similar with the U.S. ICE Attache informed Butti an MLAT is on the table for 2007. Senator Coleman and CG pledged to follow up on the issue. SUTPHIN