UAE TIP ACTION PLAN SHARED WITH MFA

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001542 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR G/TIP, INL, DRL, NEA/RA, AND NEA/ARP, L/DL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM KCRM ELAB AE SUBJECT: UAE TIP ACTION PLAN SHARED WITH MFA REFS: A) STATE 122169, B) DUBAI 411 Sensitive but unclassified. ¶1. (SBU) PolChief discussed the TIP action plan with MFA Director for International Organizations Yacub al-Hosani September 11, having shared ref A points earlier in the week. Al-Hosani, who represents MFA on the new Committee for Combating Human Trafficking (ref B),said the Committee was preparing a report on UAEG progress in the TIP arena over the past six months. He said the report, covering the three "P's" (prosecution, prevention, and protection),would constitute a response of sorts to prior U.S. concerns. He anticipated a report of four or five pages noting training programs, MoU's signed with labor-sending countries, initiatives with the UN, and data on prosecutions through the early summer of 2007. PolChief urged MFA to share the report with us prior to the upcoming visit of Ambassador-at-large for Trafficking in Persons Mark Lagon to make meetings more meaningful during that visit. The Mission is also sharing ref A action plan with Committee Chairman Anwar Gargash. ¶2. (SBU) Al-Hosani further clarified that the Committee was commissioned to coordinate all TIP efforts, and that individual ministries would be less likely than before to share information directly with the USG (in the interest of avoiding confusion). Relevant ministries (Interior, Justice, Labor, Foreign Affairs) and Dubai Police are all represented on the Committee, the new focal point for TIP, and were not authorized to release TIP data independently. On the other hand, the increased focus of the new arrangement should lead to correct and more timely TIP data, suggested al-Hosani, as the Committee enjoys a Cabinet mandate. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Ambassador Lagon's meeting with Committee Chair Gargash (also Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs) later this month will be an important opportunity to compare notes on how closely UAE progress fits into the action plan. Post will seek to obtain a copy of the UAE report prior to that visit. End comment. QUINN