Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUDHABI1163
2008-10-16 11:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
MFA MINSTATE GARGASH ON KEY ISSUES IB US-UAE BILATERAL
how-toVZCZCXRO7031 RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHAD #1163 2901145 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 161145Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1574 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC RHMFIUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001163
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, CA/VO, AND L
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV KCRM CVIS AE
SUBJECT: MFA MINSTATE GARGASH ON KEY ISSUES IB US-UAE BILATERAL
RELATIONSHIP on Key ISSUES IN US-UAE BILATERAL RELATIONASHIP.
REFS: A) ABU DHABI 571, B) ABU DHABI 304, C) ABU DHABI 044
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001163
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, CA/VO, AND L
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV KCRM CVIS AE
SUBJECT: MFA MINSTATE GARGASH ON KEY ISSUES IB US-UAE BILATERAL
RELATIONSHIP on Key ISSUES IN US-UAE BILATERAL RELATIONASHIP.
REFS: A) ABU DHABI 571, B) ABU DHABI 304, C) ABU DHABI 044
1. (SBU) Summary: During a 28 September meeting at which
Ambassador presented copies of his credentials, MinState for Foreign
Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash outlined two key areas for the Ambassador
to focus on in the bilateral relationship: visas and MLAT
negotiations. Both agreed that the overall relationship was in good
shape, especially on key political issues, as reflected in the
intensity and frequency of interchanges between senior leadership.
End summary.
Visas
--------------
2. (SBU) Gargash said Emiratis were increasingly resentful of
difficulties faced in getting visas from the US and "several other"
Embassies. This was a sensitive issue because it has an emotional
aspect. Gargash expressed the Emirati perception that "out of 1000
visa applicants, perhaps 50 are Emirati and may get lost in the
process." (Note: UAE nationals represent approximately 20 percent
of our mission-wide non-immigrant visa workload. At Embassy Abu
Dhabi, Emiratis make up almost half of our workload. End note.)
Gargash urged Ambassador to conduct a "review" of visa issuing
procedures.
3. (SBU) Ambassador replied that the US was committed to
maintaining America's openness to foreign visitors, while protecting
our security. Ambassador said he had personally heard from senior
State Department leadership about the importance of this issue.
Moreover, the numbers have improved since the dark days after 9/11;
this year the Embassy was likely to issue more F-1 visas than in any
year since 2001. This suggested part of the problem was one of
outreach, and the Ambassador pledged to make greater efforts to
explain to Emiratis what the USG had done on visa policy.
Legal Agreements
--------------
4. (SBU) Gargash said that the UAE wanted to consolidate the legal
basis for its relationship with the US by concluding three basic
agreements: an MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty),an
Extradition Treaty, and a Treaty on Judicial Cooperation in Civil
and Commercial Matters. Moreover, the UAE wanted to treat the three
treaties as a package and negotiate them at once. Ambassador
pointed out that there were certain challenges with an extradition
treaty, since our understanding is that the UAE does not allow
extradition of its own nationals, thereby reducing the utility of
the treaty to the U.S.
Comment
--------------
5. (SBU) Both of these issues were also on Foreign Minister
Abdullah bin Zayed's list when he outlined his priorities just
before the President's visit in January (ref C). Visas are a
perennial MFA complaint, with one MFA officer last week asking why
the Embassy did not have a "walk in" window for Emirati applicants.
The complaints tend to be related to appointments not being
immediate and delayed processing in cases requiring Security
Advisory Opinions (SAOs). In many cases requiring SAOs, delays now
stretch beyond 100 days. Many, if not most, official and ruling
family Emirati travelers (and many senior business travelers) seek
and receive "B referral" assistance with expedited appointments,
particularly in Dubai. SAO delays, however, frequently undermine
any goodwill such assistance may generate. MFA clearly faces
pressure from throughout Emirati society to address this irritant,
which has also been the topic of discussion at the Federal National
Council and to some degree in the local press.
6. (SBU) Comment continued: Refs A and B address the lingering
MLAT discussion. The lack of an MLAT seriously hampers the work of
our law enforcement agencies in the UAE and frankly inhibits counter
terrorism cooperation. In our view, making progress on the MLAT is
worth at least starting a frank discussion on the package, in hopes
of either moving towards formal negotiations or at some point
discovering an alternative to the package approach. The MoJ has
expressed frustration that, by not talking, our negotiators are not
even sure what issues divide them. End comment.
OLSON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, CA/VO, AND L
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV KCRM CVIS AE
SUBJECT: MFA MINSTATE GARGASH ON KEY ISSUES IB US-UAE BILATERAL
RELATIONSHIP on Key ISSUES IN US-UAE BILATERAL RELATIONASHIP.
REFS: A) ABU DHABI 571, B) ABU DHABI 304, C) ABU DHABI 044
1. (SBU) Summary: During a 28 September meeting at which
Ambassador presented copies of his credentials, MinState for Foreign
Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash outlined two key areas for the Ambassador
to focus on in the bilateral relationship: visas and MLAT
negotiations. Both agreed that the overall relationship was in good
shape, especially on key political issues, as reflected in the
intensity and frequency of interchanges between senior leadership.
End summary.
Visas
--------------
2. (SBU) Gargash said Emiratis were increasingly resentful of
difficulties faced in getting visas from the US and "several other"
Embassies. This was a sensitive issue because it has an emotional
aspect. Gargash expressed the Emirati perception that "out of 1000
visa applicants, perhaps 50 are Emirati and may get lost in the
process." (Note: UAE nationals represent approximately 20 percent
of our mission-wide non-immigrant visa workload. At Embassy Abu
Dhabi, Emiratis make up almost half of our workload. End note.)
Gargash urged Ambassador to conduct a "review" of visa issuing
procedures.
3. (SBU) Ambassador replied that the US was committed to
maintaining America's openness to foreign visitors, while protecting
our security. Ambassador said he had personally heard from senior
State Department leadership about the importance of this issue.
Moreover, the numbers have improved since the dark days after 9/11;
this year the Embassy was likely to issue more F-1 visas than in any
year since 2001. This suggested part of the problem was one of
outreach, and the Ambassador pledged to make greater efforts to
explain to Emiratis what the USG had done on visa policy.
Legal Agreements
--------------
4. (SBU) Gargash said that the UAE wanted to consolidate the legal
basis for its relationship with the US by concluding three basic
agreements: an MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty),an
Extradition Treaty, and a Treaty on Judicial Cooperation in Civil
and Commercial Matters. Moreover, the UAE wanted to treat the three
treaties as a package and negotiate them at once. Ambassador
pointed out that there were certain challenges with an extradition
treaty, since our understanding is that the UAE does not allow
extradition of its own nationals, thereby reducing the utility of
the treaty to the U.S.
Comment
--------------
5. (SBU) Both of these issues were also on Foreign Minister
Abdullah bin Zayed's list when he outlined his priorities just
before the President's visit in January (ref C). Visas are a
perennial MFA complaint, with one MFA officer last week asking why
the Embassy did not have a "walk in" window for Emirati applicants.
The complaints tend to be related to appointments not being
immediate and delayed processing in cases requiring Security
Advisory Opinions (SAOs). In many cases requiring SAOs, delays now
stretch beyond 100 days. Many, if not most, official and ruling
family Emirati travelers (and many senior business travelers) seek
and receive "B referral" assistance with expedited appointments,
particularly in Dubai. SAO delays, however, frequently undermine
any goodwill such assistance may generate. MFA clearly faces
pressure from throughout Emirati society to address this irritant,
which has also been the topic of discussion at the Federal National
Council and to some degree in the local press.
6. (SBU) Comment continued: Refs A and B address the lingering
MLAT discussion. The lack of an MLAT seriously hampers the work of
our law enforcement agencies in the UAE and frankly inhibits counter
terrorism cooperation. In our view, making progress on the MLAT is
worth at least starting a frank discussion on the package, in hopes
of either moving towards formal negotiations or at some point
discovering an alternative to the package approach. The MoJ has
expressed frustration that, by not talking, our negotiators are not
even sure what issues divide them. End comment.
OLSON