Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUDHABI280
2007-02-19 04:23:00
SECRET
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  AE ETTC IR PGOV PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1229
RR RUEHDE
DE RUEHAD #0280/01 0500423
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 190423Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8343
INFO RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 6860
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RHEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
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).

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

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SISON