MFA on Status of Export Control Law Amendment

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000574

SIPDIS

STATE FOR T, ISN, AND NEA/ARP
COMMERCE FOR BIS

E.O. 12958: DECL 5/7/2018
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC AE
SUBJECT: MFA on Status of Export Control Law Amendment

Reference: ABU DHABI 326

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


1. (C) On May 8, MFA International Organizations Director Yacub
Al-Hosani told Econchief that the UAE Cabinet's Legislative Committee
should meet in the next week to review the amended export control
law. Al-Hosani did not have many details to share, explaining that
the law was with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed
Al-Nahyan (AbZ) for review. Al-Hosani reiterated what he had told
ISN Acting A/S McNerney on February 25. The UAEG would abolish the
two committees called for in the UAE's export control law and wanted
to establish an export control office or authority. The current
situation where companies applied for licenses from Emirate-level
Departments was too complicated. The office would rationalize the
process.


2. (SBU) With regard to private sector outreach, Al-Hosani said that
the UAE had not conducted any formal "seminars or workshops" for the
private sector. The UAEG had, however, provided informal guidance
explaining, for example, the procedures needed to apply for licenses.
Al-Hosani remarked that he had conversations with the USG -- and
possibly with the EU -- about arranging industry outreach training.
In response to Econchief's question as to whether the UAEG would like
assistance; he stated that he wanted to focus on building the new
export control authority first.


3. (SBU) Al-Hosani welcomed the June training program for prosecutors
and judges and reviewed the draft agenda with interest. He told
Econchief that he was coordinating with the UAE's
Counterproliferation Task Force Chair BG Mohammad Al-Qemzi about the
possibility of adding a one day program for investigators, but had
not yet received an answer. Econchief urged the UAE to take
advantage of the opportunity. Al-Hosani explained that Al-Qemzi
would need to coordinate with the law enforcement community to be
sure that the training was not duplicative and addressed unmet needs.
He promised to provide a response as soon as he could.


Quinn