Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUDHABI1123
2007-07-04 09:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO UAE FOR DELAY OR WITHDRAWAL
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHAD #1123 1850915 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 040915Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9283 INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0135 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 001123
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/RA, ISN/CPI - MCGEEHAN, IO
TREASURY FOR CURTIS AND HECHT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/04/2017
TAGS: PREL PARM AADP IR AE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO UAE FOR DELAY OR WITHDRAWAL
OF SANCTIONS NOTICE
REF: SECSTATE 93145
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b & d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 001123
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/RA, ISN/CPI - MCGEEHAN, IO
TREASURY FOR CURTIS AND HECHT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/04/2017
TAGS: PREL PARM AADP IR AE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO UAE FOR DELAY OR WITHDRAWAL
OF SANCTIONS NOTICE
REF: SECSTATE 93145
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b & d).
1. (C) On July 4, Ambassador contacted UAE Minister of State
for Foreign Affairs Mohammed Hussein Al-Shaali to inform him
of USG concerns related to the UAEG's notification to the
UNSC 1737 Sanctions committee to unfreeze certain
Sepah-related funds. Ambassador asked that the UAEG delay or
withdraw its request and provide further details about the
nature of the transactions. Al-Shaali was not familiar with
the issue, but listened carefully and took note of the six
UAEG banks under discussion. He undertook to telephone the
UAE's permrep to the UN, Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Shamsi, to
pursue further.
2. (C) The same day, Econchief contacted Ahmed Al-Qamzi, Head
of the International Division for the UAE Central Bank's Anti
Money Laundering and Suspicious Cases Unit (AMLSCU) to make
the same request. Al-Qamzi said that it should be possible
to get the additional information, although he added that he
thought that it might be preferable if the UNSC 1737
Committee made the request for information. He also
speculated that it could be possible to release the assets
before providing the information, since UAE banks were
"suffering" and the payments were not going to designated
entities. Econchief pushed back, reiterating the USG request
for withdrawal or delay. In response, Al-Qamzi promised to
convey USG concerns to Central Bank Governor Al-Suwaidi.
3. (C) In any case, Al-Qamzi added, the UAEG did not have an
automatic unfreezing policy. The Governor would need to issue
an order to banks authorizing them to release the funds. He
did not think that Al-Suwaidi would issue that order on July
5. In addition, he noted the entire National Anti-Money
Laundering Committee would be leaving for a ten day visit to
Europe on July 8, which should give some time/flexibility.
4. (C) Embassy will continue to follow-up with both MFA and
AMLSCU.
SISON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/RA, ISN/CPI - MCGEEHAN, IO
TREASURY FOR CURTIS AND HECHT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/04/2017
TAGS: PREL PARM AADP IR AE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO UAE FOR DELAY OR WITHDRAWAL
OF SANCTIONS NOTICE
REF: SECSTATE 93145
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b & d).
1. (C) On July 4, Ambassador contacted UAE Minister of State
for Foreign Affairs Mohammed Hussein Al-Shaali to inform him
of USG concerns related to the UAEG's notification to the
UNSC 1737 Sanctions committee to unfreeze certain
Sepah-related funds. Ambassador asked that the UAEG delay or
withdraw its request and provide further details about the
nature of the transactions. Al-Shaali was not familiar with
the issue, but listened carefully and took note of the six
UAEG banks under discussion. He undertook to telephone the
UAE's permrep to the UN, Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Shamsi, to
pursue further.
2. (C) The same day, Econchief contacted Ahmed Al-Qamzi, Head
of the International Division for the UAE Central Bank's Anti
Money Laundering and Suspicious Cases Unit (AMLSCU) to make
the same request. Al-Qamzi said that it should be possible
to get the additional information, although he added that he
thought that it might be preferable if the UNSC 1737
Committee made the request for information. He also
speculated that it could be possible to release the assets
before providing the information, since UAE banks were
"suffering" and the payments were not going to designated
entities. Econchief pushed back, reiterating the USG request
for withdrawal or delay. In response, Al-Qamzi promised to
convey USG concerns to Central Bank Governor Al-Suwaidi.
3. (C) In any case, Al-Qamzi added, the UAEG did not have an
automatic unfreezing policy. The Governor would need to issue
an order to banks authorizing them to release the funds. He
did not think that Al-Suwaidi would issue that order on July
5. In addition, he noted the entire National Anti-Money
Laundering Committee would be leaving for a ten day visit to
Europe on July 8, which should give some time/flexibility.
4. (C) Embassy will continue to follow-up with both MFA and
AMLSCU.
SISON