UAE AGREES IN PRINCIPLE TO VISIT BY USG ASSESSMENT

S E C R E T ABU DHABI 000474

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR S/CT (FEIRSTEIN),NEA/ARP, EEB/ESC/IEC/EPC, PM/PPA
ENERGY FOR SENIOR FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR MOLLY WILLIAMSON,
SENIOR ADVISOR GETTO, AND DAS BRODMAN
OVP FOR KEVIN O'DONOVAN
NSC FOR ZARATE, JESSEE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2017
TAGS: EPET ENRG EINV PTER KCIP AE
SUBJECT: UAE AGREES IN PRINCIPLE TO VISIT BY USG ASSESSMENT
TEAM ON CRITICAL ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION

Classified By: AMBASSADOR MICHELE J. SISON FOR REASONS 1.4 B & D.


1. (S) Summary: The commander of UAE's Critical National
Infrastructure Force told Ambassador and visiting Department
Senior Coordinator for Critical Energy Infrastructure Policy
that he -- in principle -- welcomed a visit from a U.S.
assessment team. He said that the UAE was creating a unified
command to protect all critical infrastructure oil, gas,
power and water, and that the UAE already had 1,600 people
protecting these facilities. He is preparing a report for
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan by early
April laying out his recommendations for improving facility
security. End Summary.


2. (S) On March 20, Senior Coordinator for Critical Energy
Infrastructure Protection Policy, Dr. Bruce Averill,
Ambassador, and Econchief met with the UAE's Commander of the
Critical National Infrastructure Force, Staff Colonel Sheikh
Ahmed bin Tahnoun Al-Nahyan to discuss USG-UAE cooperation to
protect the UAE's critical energy infrastructure. Sheikh
Ahmed explained that he had been recently charged with
creating a unified command dedicated to critical
infrastructure protection, which includes power and
desalinization plants as well as oil and gas facilities. He
is in charge of both physical security and implementing
procedures and policies for identification cards, etc.
According to Sheikh Ahmed, police and military assets would
be under one command. In the longer term, this command would
recruit and train its own forces. Currently, he noted, the
UAE has 1,600 people on the ground protecting key facilities.
He confirmed that his responsibility and authority extend to
both onshore and offshore facilities.


3. (S) Sheikh Ahmed said that he was currently surveying Abu
Dhabi's critical infrastructure security requirements and
that he would be preparing a report to Abu Dhabi Crown
Prince/Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh
Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MbZ) detailing his proposals by
early April. He emphasized that he already had authority to
procure "the best" hardware. Physical barriers would be
obtained from the same U.S. company that designed the border
wall with Saudi Arabia. Sheikh Ahmed said that he reported
directly to MbZ, who was "his commander". Sheikh Ahmed also
noted that the UAE had made significant progress in
protecting its critical infrastructure, but that further
progress was still needed.


4. (S) Dr. Averill briefly explained the USG's interest in
protecting critical energy infrastructure and in working with
partners such as the UAE. He proposed that the USG send a
team of experts to look at key UAE facilities and to make
specific recommendations on ways for the UAE to improve its
critical infrastructure protection. Dr. Averill explained
that the USG had a developed a great deal of practical
experience in protecting critical infrastructure. Ambassador
noted that this subject would be on the agenda for the
upcoming May 7 Gulf Security Dialogue GSD) in Washington and
that it would be useful if the team's visit could take place
before the GSD meeting. Averill stressed that Sheikh Ahmed
might also want to refer to this visit in preparing his
report to MbZ. Sheikh Ahmed agreed in principle to the
proposal, but he asked for a formal letter from the USG
explaining what the U.S. was offering in terms of assistance.
(Note: A proposed draft letter has been sent back via
e-mail to S/CT, NEA/ARP, and NSC. End Note.)


5. (S) This message has been cleared by Dr. Averill.
SISON