UAE QUIET ABOUT TROOP PRESENCE IN AFGHANISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000407

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2018
TAGS: PREL MOPS MASS PHUM EAID AF AE
SUBJECT: UAE QUIET ABOUT TROOP PRESENCE IN AFGHANISTAN
AFTER BBC COVERAGE

Classified by Charge d'Affaires Martin Quinn, reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Although the BBC, likely with UAEG
approval, broadcast the presence of UAE forces in Afghanistan
on a March 28 report, no signs of the story have appeared in
local media. Internet comment, often quite scathing, is
being generated by the BBC report and reflects some angst
that the presence was hidden from the UAE public. Until
notice from the UAEG that its public posture on the
deployment has changed, Post recommends the USG refer
inquiries on the story to the UAEG. End summary.

Putting the troops on camera
--------------


2. (C) BBC viewers and listeners, including some members of
the country team in Abu Dhabi, were treated to a surprisingly
frank presentation of the UAE troop presence in Afghanistan
on Friday, March 28. The UAE presence has been kept at the
confidential (or higher) level since its outset almost five

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years ago at the request of the UAEG. We have heard mention
of the deployment by UAE officials in multilateral military
meetings (SOCCENT Symposium in Abu Dhabi, spring 2007),but
even then details were vague and far from the public eye. In
fact, the upshot of the BBC's opening line was acknowledgment
of a troop presence that even the UAE public knew nothing
about. The coverage kept the focus on humanitarian
operations in a "hearts and minds" campaign, highlighting the
value of a Muslim army in the coalition, yet noted the
periodic need to engage the enemy militarily.


3. (C) While the UAEG no doubt authorized the coverage, the
journalist may have gone somewhat farther than the UAEG
anticipated. Even as the BBC footage circulates on the
Internet, Post has seen no acknowledgment of the UAE
presence, or the BBC story, in the local media. Neither the
English nor Arabic dailies have made any mention of the
breaking story. The silence suggests possible UAEG
discomfort with the extent of the coverage.

No local press, but some venting on the Internet
-------------- ---


4. (SBU) With the cat out of the bag over the BBC, however,
the blogsphere is giving the troops some unwelcome attention.
Some writers cite the wisdom of the UAE leadership in
sending Muslim troops to assist in a humanitarian operation,
others decry the poor judgment of a decision to send UAE
troops into an infidel operation. While we cannot
definitively ascertain the nationality of contributors to a
specific Internet forum, the following comments were derived
from sites frequented by UAE nationals (informal translations
from Arabic).

--- "You (UAE forces) are dogs. I hope al-Qaeda and the
Taliban behead you."
--- Reference to the "disgraceful presence" of the UAE in
Afghanistan.
--- "May Allah curse them" for their "betrayal."
--- Why do they not keep peace in Sudan and Somalia instead?
--- A reference to getting "permission from Bush" for
deployments. Another reference to troops sent to "obey their
masters in Washington."
--- Humanitarian missions should be carried out by the Red
Crescent Society, not men in uniform.
--- Why did the government keep this mission a secret until
the BBC exposed it?


5. (C) Some comments appear politically motivated and all
are self-selecting voices who seek to provoke as much as to
contribute to a rational dialogue. That said, if the
Internet is the only forum in which a UAE citizen can comment
on a government decision of this magnitude, it is not
surprising that those who choose to do so will take a
generally controversial stance. It would also appear that
the underlying anger of contributors has as much to do with
the UAEG having kept the deployment a secret as it does with
the deployment itself.

Deployment still being handled discreetly
--------------


6. (C) Post has commended the UAEG on the openness this
coverage indicates, but has yet to receive clarification as
to the UAEG intent in granting permission to the BBC (one

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must assume the coverage was authorized given the direct
interviews conducted with willing UAE soldiers) or any new
guidance on how to address the deployment in public. Until
such time as guidance is received, Post recommends keeping
details of the deployment confidential and referring
inquiries to the UAEG if pressed.
QUINN