Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUDHABI1179
2007-07-16 13:34:00
SECRET
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
MBR LOOKING AT DIAMOND CONTROLS
how-toVZCZCXRO3679 PP RUEHDE DE RUEHAD #1179 1971334 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 161334Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9361 INFO RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI PRIORITY 7174 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0596 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0560 RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 0211 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 001179
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/ESC
TREASURY FOR OFAC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2017
TAGS: EMIN ETRD ETTC AE
SUBJECT: MBR LOOKING AT DIAMOND CONTROLS
REF: SECSTATE 98129
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b & d).
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 001179
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/ESC
TREASURY FOR OFAC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2017
TAGS: EMIN ETRD ETTC AE
SUBJECT: MBR LOOKING AT DIAMOND CONTROLS
REF: SECSTATE 98129
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b & d).
1. (S) During a July 15 meeting with UAE Vice President and
Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (MbR),
Ambassador expressed appreciation for the UAE's and Dubai's
early commitment to the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme
(other topics reported septel). Ambassador asked MbR to
clarify how the UAE intends to conduct government oversight
over diamond industry operations in emirates other than
Dubai. Ambassador also noted that the USG takes seriously
recent reports of irregularities in the Kimberly Process.
2. (S) MbR was very cognizant of the reputational risk to
Dubai of problems with the Kimberly Process, and asked for
more details on the irregularities. He instructed BG
Mohammed Al-Qamzi Director of Dubai's General Department for
State Security to look into the issue, stressing that Dubai
did not want "bad people" to misuse the system. Al-Qamzi
noted that certain countries would try to game the system by
either forging Kimberly Process Certificates or making
deliberate errors in them in an effort to slip something
through. Al-Qamzi said that he would consult with the UAE
Central Bank about possible changes to the Kimberly Process
Authority to reflect the growth in the UAE's diamond industry.
3. (C) On July 16, Ambassador also raised reftel demarche
with Yousef Al-Otaiba, International Affairs Director for Abu
Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. We
will pass copies of UN reports to MbR's staff and Al-Otaiba,
follow-up with UAE federal authorities, and report results.
SISON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/ESC
TREASURY FOR OFAC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2017
TAGS: EMIN ETRD ETTC AE
SUBJECT: MBR LOOKING AT DIAMOND CONTROLS
REF: SECSTATE 98129
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b & d).
1. (S) During a July 15 meeting with UAE Vice President and
Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (MbR),
Ambassador expressed appreciation for the UAE's and Dubai's
early commitment to the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme
(other topics reported septel). Ambassador asked MbR to
clarify how the UAE intends to conduct government oversight
over diamond industry operations in emirates other than
Dubai. Ambassador also noted that the USG takes seriously
recent reports of irregularities in the Kimberly Process.
2. (S) MbR was very cognizant of the reputational risk to
Dubai of problems with the Kimberly Process, and asked for
more details on the irregularities. He instructed BG
Mohammed Al-Qamzi Director of Dubai's General Department for
State Security to look into the issue, stressing that Dubai
did not want "bad people" to misuse the system. Al-Qamzi
noted that certain countries would try to game the system by
either forging Kimberly Process Certificates or making
deliberate errors in them in an effort to slip something
through. Al-Qamzi said that he would consult with the UAE
Central Bank about possible changes to the Kimberly Process
Authority to reflect the growth in the UAE's diamond industry.
3. (C) On July 16, Ambassador also raised reftel demarche
with Yousef Al-Otaiba, International Affairs Director for Abu
Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. We
will pass copies of UN reports to MbR's staff and Al-Otaiba,
follow-up with UAE federal authorities, and report results.
SISON