UAE MFA ON SUPPORT FOR LEBANON TRIBUNAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000187 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: 02/11/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM EFIN EINV LE AE SUBJECT: UAE MFA ON SUPPORT FOR LEBANON TRIBUNAL REFS: A) QUINN-DANIN E-MAILS (FEBRUARY 8, 2008) B) ABU DHABI 168 C) SECSTATE 10786 Classified by CDA Martin Quinn, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On February 10, Charge queried UAE Minster of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed Hussain al-Sha'ali about the apparent UAE commitment of $5 million to the UN Special Tribunal for Lebanon (ref A). Al-Sha'ali said he thought the commitment was firm, but wanted to know the precise mechanism through which the financial transfer should be made. He also requested information on other countries' donations; the Charge noted that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were also making significant contributions. ¶2. (C) Comment: Decisions of this nature are always taken by leaders from the ruling family, in this case Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed (AbZ) al-Nahyan. MFA is often not privy to the decision itself, and not necessarily brought into confidence later on. Al-Sha'ali committed to follow up to confirm the fund transfer, which we recommend the Department simultaneously pursue in New York. A bank routing number may be required. End comment. QUINN