Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUDHABI977
2008-08-28 10:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
UAE COMMENTS ON RUSSIAN RECOGNITION OF SOUTH OSSETIA AND
how-toVZCZCXRO0550 OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHAD #0977 2411055 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 281055Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1385 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0469
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000977
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/28
TAGS: PREL PGOV GG RU AU
SUBJECT: UAE COMMENTS ON RUSSIAN RECOGNITION OF SOUTH OSSETIA AND
ABKHAZIA
Classified by CDA Martin Quinn reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
REF: State 91894
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000977
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/28
TAGS: PREL PGOV GG RU AU
SUBJECT: UAE COMMENTS ON RUSSIAN RECOGNITION OF SOUTH OSSETIA AND
ABKHAZIA
Classified by CDA Martin Quinn reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
REF: State 91894
1. (C) The Charge presented reftel points condemning Russia's
recognition of the two breakaway republics to Assistant Under
Secretary for Political Affairs Tariq al-Haidan August 27.
Al-Haidan, the most senior MFA official on duty this week, agreed
that Russia was erroneously comparing the situation to Kosovo and
sought an excuse to keep a presence in Georgia. The two republics
are, in fact, somewhat disconnected from Georgia, he asserted, but
those differences do not warrant their recognition as independent
states. He stated clearly that the UAE has no plan to bend to
Russian pressure to recognize South Ossetia or Abkhazia.
2. (C) Al-Haidan was concerned that tension with Russia might impact
other issues, wondering if Russia might be less cooperative on new
UNSC sanctions on Iran, for example. He hoped tensions would
de-escalate such that a regional dispute did not affect the "more
important" global issues.
QUINN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/28
TAGS: PREL PGOV GG RU AU
SUBJECT: UAE COMMENTS ON RUSSIAN RECOGNITION OF SOUTH OSSETIA AND
ABKHAZIA
Classified by CDA Martin Quinn reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
REF: State 91894
1. (C) The Charge presented reftel points condemning Russia's
recognition of the two breakaway republics to Assistant Under
Secretary for Political Affairs Tariq al-Haidan August 27.
Al-Haidan, the most senior MFA official on duty this week, agreed
that Russia was erroneously comparing the situation to Kosovo and
sought an excuse to keep a presence in Georgia. The two republics
are, in fact, somewhat disconnected from Georgia, he asserted, but
those differences do not warrant their recognition as independent
states. He stated clearly that the UAE has no plan to bend to
Russian pressure to recognize South Ossetia or Abkhazia.
2. (C) Al-Haidan was concerned that tension with Russia might impact
other issues, wondering if Russia might be less cooperative on new
UNSC sanctions on Iran, for example. He hoped tensions would
de-escalate such that a regional dispute did not affect the "more
important" global issues.
QUINN