ABZ ON GCC+2, UNGA, IRAN SANCTIONS

S E C R E T ABU DHABI 001238 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/PCC (BATTLE),NEA/RA (LANGEVIN, MACDONNELL, AND ADLER),AND ISN/RA (NEPHEW) ALSO FOR USUN (MCBRIDE) NSC (MCDONALD) E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV UNGA IZ IR LE AE SUBJECT: ABZ ON GCC+2, UNGA, IRAN SANCTIONS REF: A. STATE 101527 ¶B. STATE 101574 ¶C. STATE 101170 Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador previewed the themes to be discussed at the upcoming July 31 GCC 2 Sharm el-Sheikh meeting with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed (AbZ) on July 23 (ref A). AbZ asked for additional information on the issue of increased assistance for Iraq, wondering if the Iraq Compact or Strategic Investment Initiative proposals would be raised. He also expressed interest in hearing a read-out of the planned July 24 US-Iran discussions on Iraq. AbZ noted that he would return to Abu Dhabi in time to participate in discussions with Secretary of Defense Gates on August 2. ¶2. (C) Turning to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, AbZ pledged support for a two-state solution. With regard to Lebanon, he and Ambassador reviewed the upcoming schedule of elections. ¶3. (S) AbZ voiced agreement with the statement of support for a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue. Ambassador took the opportunity to urge robust implementation of U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions on Iran, emphasizing that sanctions were having the desired effect in the economic and financial isolation of Tehran and preventing the acquisition of materiel for Iran's WMD and missile programs (ref B). AbZ noted that the UAEG had provided implementation reports for both UNSCR 1737 and UNSCR 1747. ¶4. (SBU) AbZ also noted that he would represent the UAE at the U.N. General Assembly (ref C). SISON