SCENESETTER FOR A/S ROOD: THE US-UAE COUNTERPROLIFERATION

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 ABU DHABI 000280 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN A/S ROOD, TFOLEY, PMCNERNEY, RPAN, CRUSSELL TREASURY FOR BHAMMERLE COMMERCE FOR WWYSONG E.O.12958: DECL: 1/28/2017 TAGS: PRELPGOVETTCIRAE SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR A/S ROOD: THE US-UAE COUNTERPROLIFERATION TASK FORCE REF: A) 06 ABU DHABI 1887 B) 06 ABU DHABI 2688 C) 06 STATE 102501 D) 06 ABU DHABI 2780 E) 07 ABU DHABI 0185 F) 07 ABU DHABI 0097 G) 06 BEIJING 024449 H) 07 DUBAI 0059 I) 06 ABU DHABI 4473 J) 07 ABU DHABI 0146 K) 07 ABU DHABI 0168 Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison, for reasons 1.4 (b and d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Assistant Secretary Rood, Embassy Abu Dhabi looks forward to welcoming you to the UAE for the third meeting of the US-UAE Counterproliferation Task Force (CTF) on March 1. The UAE CTF Chair, Brigadier General Mohammad Al Qemzi -- Dubai's General Department of State Security Director -- is likely anticipating a summary of the US export control policy plans alluded to by USDOC A/S Padilla in his December speech. In addition, we have requested meetings with Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdallah bin Zayed al Nahyan (AbZ) and Sheikha Lubna al Qasimi, Minister of Economy. We will want to use these opportunities to restate to the UAE leadership our concerns about the UAE's lack of an export control law, to discuss USG export control plans, and to push for full and effective implementation of UNSCR 1737 on Iran. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Since ISN/CPI Director Foley's April 2006 meeting of the CTF Working Groups (REF A),we have had several interactions with the UAE on proliferation, export controls, and proliferation finance issues. Improving the UAE's Counterproliferation Record -------------- --- ¶3. (C) Earlier this week, Embassy was informed that the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Zayed, had instructed that a new "Executive Committee on Commodity Control Procedures" be formed. Although the new committee adds greater participation by Abu Dhabi (Crown Prince's Office and Federal State Security Directorate) -- a welcome move -- we are concerned that the existence of competing committees may cause confusion. We have suggested that Executive Committee on Commodity Control Procedures members not already on the CTF join the March 1 meeting (septel) in order to unify UAE's efforts. (NOTE: Dubai State Security Director Mohammed al Qemzi chairs both committees. END NOTE.) ¶4. (S/NF) Although this letter is signed by the International Affairs Director of the Abu Dhabi Corwn Prince's Court, we have been told that it was actually drafted by al Qemzi. In June, the Ambassador provided AbZ and Al Qemzi information about USDOC export control officer duties and responsibilities, as well as those of the USDOC Sentinel Team (REF B). A non-paper explaining USG positions -- the urgency of passing an export control law by mid-July, effective enforcement and continued cooperation on interdiction efforts -- and possible repercussions of UAE inaction (REF C) prompted a terse written response from Al Qemzi (REFS C and D). Status of the UAE Export Control Law -------------- ¶5. (C/NF) In spite of longstanding US urging, the UAE still has no export control law. We have continued to push the UAE to move promptly in passing this law. The issue came up recently during the January 22 calls of Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns and NEA PDAS James Jeffrey on Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MbZ),AbZ, and UAE Prime Minister/Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (MbR). Following the meetings, AbZ told us that MbR, in his role as Prime Minister, had requested that the law be moved forward expeditiously. On February 5, Ministry of Economy Under Secretary Abdulla Al-Saleh (Sheikha Lubna's number two) told Econchief that the draft export control law had been passed from the Ministry of Economy to the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice reviews all legislation before it goes to the cabinet and the Federal Supreme Council (comprised of the rulers of each of the seven emirates) for approval to ensure that the legislation is compatible with existing legislation (REF E). USG Public Comments Spark Negative Reaction -------------- ¶6. (C/NF) USDOC A/S for Export Administration Padilla's December 14 remarks to the Washington International Trade Association received wide attention in the UAEG and in local media. The UAEG is likely to ABU DHABI 00000280 002.2 OF 003 ABU DHABI 00000280 003.2 OF 003 SISON