Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUDHABI164
2007-02-04 10:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

UAE DENIES SENDING WEAPONS TO GAZA

Tags:  PGOV KPAL PARM AE 
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VZCZCXRO7308
RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHROV
DE RUEHAD #0164 0351016
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 041016Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8175
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000164 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ARP, NEA/PI, NEA/PPD

E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPAL PARM AE
SUBJECT: UAE DENIES SENDING WEAPONS TO GAZA


UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000164

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ARP, NEA/PI, NEA/PPD

E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPAL PARM AE
SUBJECT: UAE DENIES SENDING WEAPONS TO GAZA



1. The UAE has publicly dismissed Hamas claims that it had
dispatched weapons and ammunitions to the Palestinian Authority in
Gaza. On February 1, in a press release headlined "UAE Astonished
at Allegations of Sending Weapons to Gaza," the official Emirates
News Agency (WAM) stated that the UAE did not send weapons but only
bullet proof vests, vehicles, and tents for the Presidential Guard
at the request of the Palestinian presidency.


2. Full text of the WAM release is as follows:
(Begin Text)
An official source at the UAE Foreign Ministry today voiced
astonishment at the news that the country has allegedly sent weapons
and ammunitions to the Gaza Strip.

The source dismissed the news as "false and baseless." "The UAE sent
only bullet proof vests, vehicles and tents for the Presidential
Guard. They were dispatched on request of the Palestinian
Presidency," the source said.

"These are equipments, not weapons. They were not sent to a certain
faction but to the highest authority that represents all Palestinian
people." The source called on all parties in Gaza strip to stop
fighting and to focus their efforts on resuming dialogue and
strengthening national unity. He reiterated UAE's respect to the
independent Palestinian decision and its keen efforts in support of
the Palestinian people.

"The humanitarian aid given by the UAE to the brotherly Palestinian
people is a living example that we always seek to help and support
the Palestinian people to cling firmly to their land, to overcome
difficult and tragic conditions and to achieve their ultimate goal
of establishing their independent state with Jerusalem as its
capital," added the source. (End Text)

SISON
UAEresponse-WeaponsGaza UNCLASSIFIED