Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUDHABI96
2007-01-24 12:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
UAE DRAFT EXPORT CONTROL LAW OUT FOR COMMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO6824 PP RUEHDE DE RUEHAD #0096 0241249 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 241249Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8084 INFO RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI PRIORITY 6780 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000096
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, ISN/CPI
USDOC FOR A/S FOULON, DAS WYSONG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2017
TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL KSTC AE
SUBJECT: UAE DRAFT EXPORT CONTROL LAW OUT FOR COMMENT
REF: A. 06 ABU DHABI 4517
B. 06 ABU DHABI 2772
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b&d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000096
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, ISN/CPI
USDOC FOR A/S FOULON, DAS WYSONG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2017
TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL KSTC AE
SUBJECT: UAE DRAFT EXPORT CONTROL LAW OUT FOR COMMENT
REF: A. 06 ABU DHABI 4517
B. 06 ABU DHABI 2772
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b&d).
1. (C/NF) In spite of longstanding U.S. urging, the UAEG
still has no export control law. At the end of last year,
UAE officials told us that they have an omnibus draft
export-import law being finalized, which included a section
on strategic trade controls. According to MinEcon Under
Secretary Abdullah Al-Saleh "everything you are concerned
SIPDIS
about (in relation to export controls) is there." (ref A).
2. (C/NF) We have continued to push the UAE to move
expeditiously in passing this law. The issue came up most
recently during the January 22 call of Under Secretary of
State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns and NEA PDAS James
Jeffrey on Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed
Al-Nahyan (MbZ),and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin
Zayed Al-Nahyan (AbZ). On January 23, UAE Minister of
Economy, Sheikha Lubna Al-Qasimi told Ambassador that the
omnibus trade law had been sent to the various UAE Chambers
of Commerce for comment. The comments would be reviewed
shortly. Obaid Al-Tayer, President of the Dubai Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, confirmed that his organization had
received the law.
3. (C/NF) Early morning on January 24, AbZ called Ambassador
to report that MbZ and UAE Prime Minister/Ruler of Dubai
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (MbR) had spoken about
the law subsequent to Burns, meetings with both. AbZ said
that MbR, in his role as Prime Minister, had requested that
the law be moved forward expeditiously.
4. (C/NF) Comment: The apparent interest of MbR is a good
sign, given that Dubai's ports control most of the re-export
trade for the UAE and have been advertising efficiency in
clearing freight as one of their comparative advantages. We
have heard for several years that the export control law is a
high priority for the UAEG, but have seen only limited
progress in moving the law through the cabinet. Indeed, as
late as summer 2006, MbR told the Ambassador the export law
should be passed. (ref B) The next meeting of the US-UAE
Counterproliferation Task Force -- proposed for mid-February
-- will give us another high-level opportunity to try and
move the law forward. End Comment
SISON
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, ISN/CPI
USDOC FOR A/S FOULON, DAS WYSONG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2017
TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL KSTC AE
SUBJECT: UAE DRAFT EXPORT CONTROL LAW OUT FOR COMMENT
REF: A. 06 ABU DHABI 4517
B. 06 ABU DHABI 2772
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b&d).
1. (C/NF) In spite of longstanding U.S. urging, the UAEG
still has no export control law. At the end of last year,
UAE officials told us that they have an omnibus draft
export-import law being finalized, which included a section
on strategic trade controls. According to MinEcon Under
Secretary Abdullah Al-Saleh "everything you are concerned
SIPDIS
about (in relation to export controls) is there." (ref A).
2. (C/NF) We have continued to push the UAE to move
expeditiously in passing this law. The issue came up most
recently during the January 22 call of Under Secretary of
State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns and NEA PDAS James
Jeffrey on Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed
Al-Nahyan (MbZ),and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin
Zayed Al-Nahyan (AbZ). On January 23, UAE Minister of
Economy, Sheikha Lubna Al-Qasimi told Ambassador that the
omnibus trade law had been sent to the various UAE Chambers
of Commerce for comment. The comments would be reviewed
shortly. Obaid Al-Tayer, President of the Dubai Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, confirmed that his organization had
received the law.
3. (C/NF) Early morning on January 24, AbZ called Ambassador
to report that MbZ and UAE Prime Minister/Ruler of Dubai
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (MbR) had spoken about
the law subsequent to Burns, meetings with both. AbZ said
that MbR, in his role as Prime Minister, had requested that
the law be moved forward expeditiously.
4. (C/NF) Comment: The apparent interest of MbR is a good
sign, given that Dubai's ports control most of the re-export
trade for the UAE and have been advertising efficiency in
clearing freight as one of their comparative advantages. We
have heard for several years that the export control law is a
high priority for the UAEG, but have seen only limited
progress in moving the law through the cabinet. Indeed, as
late as summer 2006, MbR told the Ambassador the export law
should be passed. (ref B) The next meeting of the US-UAE
Counterproliferation Task Force -- proposed for mid-February
-- will give us another high-level opportunity to try and
move the law forward. End Comment
SISON