US-UAE Cash Courier Task Force December Meeting

S E C R E T ABU DHABI 001159 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPARTMENT FOR SRAP, SCA/A, NEA/FO, NEA/ARP (MCGOVERN),S/CT AND INR DHS FOR WARRICK E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/12/22 TAGS: EFIN PTER PGOV PINR AE SUBJECT: US-UAE Cash Courier Task Force December Meeting REF: ABU DHABI 1110; ABU DHABI 890; ABU DHABI 877 CLASSIFIED BY: Richard G. Olson, Ambassador, State, Embassy Abu Dhabi, UAE; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (S/NF) On December 14, EmbOffs participated in the second meeting of the US-UAE Cash Courier Task Force, to further planning for a DHS/ICE-led Bulk Cash Smuggling (BCS) training and practical exercise in February 2010. UAE State Security Directorate (SSD) Director General GEN Matar Al Shamsi kicked off the meeting by stressing UAE commitment to greater cooperation with the USG to combat all forms of illicit financial flows through the UAE. The two-hour discussion that followed focused on the details of scheduling the February exercise, inviting appropriate personnel, and finalizing related details. It was agreed that Abu Dhabi Customs would serve as the logistical POC for the exercise, although SSD would continue to act at the primary UAE POC. Given a number of other related events in late January and early February, the group tentatively scheduled the theoretical training for Feb. 21-24 and practical operations Feb. 28 to March 3. Abu Dhabi Customs Director Saeed Al Muhairi said that 2009 statistics reveal 817 cash smuggling attempts at all Abu Dhabi ports of entry, the majority of which were at land borders. He suggested that the practical training include operations at the UAE-Saudi Arabia border crossing at Ghuwaifat. DHS will explore this possibility in the coming weeks. ¶2. (S/NF) Next Steps: DHS/ICE AttachC) will provide SSD with final proposed dates, detailed agenda and a profile of appropriate officials to invite. DHS/ICE AttachC) will also work with SSD to schedule January visit(s) to the location(s) of the practical training exercise. ¶3. (S/NF) Participants: The UAE side included several SSD officials, including Head of Border Security Lt. Col. Hamad Al Ameri, as well as senior officials from Dubai State Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, UAE Central Bank, Federal Customs Authority, and Abu Dhabi Customs. USG participants were DHS/ICE, State and GRPO. (Note: Treasury and Justice reps were unable to attend. End Note.) ¶4. (S/NF) Comment: As demonstrated in past meetings (reftels),all UAE officials exhibited strong enthusiasm for BCS training and operations. There was significant interest in conducting an after-action evaluation, to identify best practices and evaluate the program with the intent to schedule additional exercises later in 2010. Officials also discussed the role of prosecutors and relevant laws; EmbOffs will follow up with SSD in the coming months to pursue parallel legal reform and capacity building efforts. End Comment. OLSON