UAE RESPONSE TO SUPPORT FOR UNSC ACTION ON SPECIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000858 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARP BJACHIM, NEA/RA DMONOSSON, AND I/O UNP AREINEMEYER ALSO PASS TO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER LE AE SUBJECT: UAE RESPONSE TO SUPPORT FOR UNSC ACTION ON SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON REF: SECSTATE 70443 Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b and d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador spoke to Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed (AbZ) via telephone on May 23 to ask that the UAE urge Qatar to support immediate UNSC action to establish the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Ambassador encouraged the UAEG to support publicly UN Security Council action to establish the Special Tribunal via Chapter VII authority, noting that regional support to establish the tribunal would be key to maintaining stability in Lebanon. Ambassador emphasized that the vote might be scheduled as early as May 25. (Note: AbZ is in Morocco at present on a private trip with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed; AbZ and MbZ were both present at the May 15 bilateral meeting in Washington during which the UAEG made its offer to engage with Qatar.) ¶2. (C) AbZ first replied that the UAE "would do what it could do," adding that he was not sure what the outcome would be. "If there is a possibility, we'll do our best, although it would be easier for us to weigh in with the Congo, Indonesia, or South Africa." Ambassador emphasized that a resolution adopted by consensus or with as many affirmative votes as possible would send a message to the Lebanese people that the international community supports their desire for justice. When reminded of last week's meetings in Washington and the conversation regarding the UAEG offer of assistance to engage with Qatar, AbZ said he would "make some calls" and added that he would also telephone Qatari Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim al Thani. SISON