DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH UAE FOREIGN MINISTER:

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001218

SIPDIS

FOR D (JOST),NEA/FO, NEA/ARP and SCA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PTER CVIS PK IR IZ AE
SUBJECT: DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH UAE FOREIGN MINISTER:
MEDICAL VISAS, PAKISTAN

REF: ABU DHABI 1162

Classified by Ambassador Richard Olson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: On the margins of the Forum for the Future
ministerial in Abu Dhabi October 19, UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah
bin Zayed (AbZ) recited to Deputy Secretary Negroponte UAE concerns
about U.S. visas for medical cases, an irritant in the context of
very favorable relations overall. On Pakistan, AbZ commented on
Saudi perceptions of Zardari's Shi'a identity as a hindrance to the
broad regional cooperation necessary to help Islamabad stabilize
economically and politically. AbZ strongly endorsed the friends of
Pakistan grouping, and emphasized the importance to the UAE of a
multilateral mechanism by which to channel aid to Pakistan.
Surprised that the USG had allocated significant new aid to the
Palestinian Authority (PA) in spite of the financial crisis, AbZ
hoped USG efforts to overcome that crisis would be good for Abu
Dhabi's financial bottom line. Agreeing that Iraqi PM al-Maliki is
in an increasingly strong position, the Deputy Secretary cited POTUS'
remark that success in Iraq is our best policy to contain Iran. AbZ
hoped for successful SOFA negotiations between the U.S. and Iraq.
End summary.

Medical Visas an irritant in strong bilateral ties
-------------- --------------


2. (C) Emphasizing his pleasure that the U.S.-UAE relationship is
something to be "really proud of," AbZ was optimistic our cooperation
would continue. He was pleased at progress on the Congressional
notification of THAAD missiles. Nonetheless, and while acknowledging
the complexities of post 9/11 security in the U.S., AbZ said visas
for UAE medical cases took much longer than required and urged the
USG to assist with these "very urgent" cases.

Pakistan -- Saudi perception of a Shi'a threat?
-------------- --


3. (C) After securing agreement that AbZ would encourage Morocco to
accept before the end of the Forum for the Future ministerial to host
the Forum's next session, the Deputy Secretary noted that the USG was
"reasonably impressed" with Zardari's leadership in Pakistan. It
continued to be important to encourage the civilian and military
leaderships of Pakistan to coordinate collegially. Pakistani
relations with Saudi Arabia were strained by Pakistani suspicions of
Saudi support for Nawaz Sharif (which the Saudi government denies) he
added, lamenting Saudi absence from the friends of Pakistan meeting
in New York. For his part, AbZ said he was delighted to participate
in New York, said it was important for the Friends to work together
to aid Pakistan, and emphasized the UAE's need for a multilateral
mechanism through which it could provide aid. Such a mechanism adds
transparency and demonstrates a broader international will to push
the Pakistani government in the right direction. The mechanism need
not channel all aid (to the exclusion of bilateral programs),but
should encompass most assistance. The grouping helps participants
overcome their respective reservations about Zardari, said AbZ.


4. (C) We cannot win in Afghanistan without a stable Pakistan, said
AbZ, which requires us to work closely with the Saudis (who have
particular concerns about Zardari). When the Saudis view Shi'a
influence in Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and elsewhere, they see Pakistan as
another of Tehran's neighbors "led by a person they [the Saudis] also
see as Shi'a." AbZ said "I would be worried too" if Zardari were
indeed a Shi'a partisan. While agreeing with the Deputy Secretary
that Zedari seemed a secular leader, ABZ said Zardari's government
needs to go out of its way to explain itself to the Saudis so they do
not fear a Zardari-led Pakistan as part of a new Persian Empire
featuring alliances between Tehran and "its Shi'a citizens in the
region."


5. (C) Continuing his theme of a rising Iran, AbZ noted that Iran's
rhetoric was even impressing Sunnis, including the Muslim
Brotherhood. He had been amazed at the rhetoric of influential Sunni
figures on the topic of expanding Persian influence. The outspoken
Yousef al-Qaradawi, for example, uses al-Jazeera as a mouthpiece to
spread his views (as one of the "original Muslim Brothers") against
Israel (and often the U.S.). When al-Qaradawi stood against
expanding Shi'a (and Persian) influence in Arabia, however, many
Sunnis attacked his position. AbZ expressed concern that the
heightened tension between Sunni and Shi'a would drive "our Shi'a
citizens" into Iran's camp, causing Sunnis to further distrust Shi'a.
He commended Secretary Rice for pulling Syria "slightly" away from
Iran in her brief encounter with FM Muallim. (The Deputy Secretary
noted that Syria had a problem with the Muslim Brotherhood in its own
country and had cracked down somewhat on cross-border insurgents into
Iraq.)


6. (C) Taking the issue back to Zardari, the Deputy Secretary noted
that he is a secularist, and reinforced the importance of a broad
assistance strategy endorsed by the friends of Pakistan. Islamabad

ABU DHABI 00001218 002 OF 002


must work harder as well; it often seeks a "pot of gold" from
overseas when it needs to help itself develop economically, tighten
its belt, and fight corruption.

Palestine and the financial crisis
--------------


7. (C) AbZ cited an urgent requirement to Aid Palestinians on the
humanitarian front, although he agreed it was a challenge. The UAEG
would help in any way possible to put the government of Abu Mazen and
Fayad on better footing. He was surprised to hear that the USG had
committed $150 million in new aid to the PA in spite of the current
financial crisis.


8. (C) Reflecting on the financial situation, AbZ said the UAEG
understood the Secretary's reasons for not traveling to the Forum for
the Future and said he had told her by phone that the UAE had more at
stake in the financial crisis than in the Forum and appreciated USG
efforts to bolster the financial system. The UAE has lost much money
from its sovereign wealth funds and hopes USG efforts can "help us
make some money back."

Iraq on a better course
--------------


9. (C) Discussing their recent visits to Baghdad, the Deputy
Secretary and AbZ agreed that PM al-Maliki is in a stronger position
than before, which the Deputy Secretary said helps Iraq be more
independent of Iran. The Saudis should not fear a stronger GoI, he
asserted; as POTUS said, success in Iraq is our best policy to
contain Iran. AbZ cited a remark (which he credited to Saudi Crown
Prince Sultan) about the possibility of a Saudi embassy in Baghdad if
al-Maliki stays the course. That said, he hoped the PM would not
become so strong that it would be difficult for others to deal with
him. He agreed with the importance of successful SOFA negotiations
between the U.S. and Iraq.


10. (SBU) U.S. Attendees:
-- The Deputy Secretary
-- Ambassador Richard Olson
-- NEA A/S David Welch
-- Aaron Jost, D Staff
-- Al Magleby, Note taker

UAE Participants:
-- Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed
-- MFA Director of American and European Affairs Ali al-Zarouni


11. (U) The Deputy Secretary's party cleared on this cable.

OLSON