Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUDHABI173
2009-02-18 12:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
REQUESTING UAE VIEWS ON AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN POLICY
how-toP 181233Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2149 INFO GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD AMEMBASSY KABUL NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000173
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PARM EAID NATO AF PK AE
SUBJECT: REQUESTING UAE VIEWS ON AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN POLICY
REF: A) STATE 14097, B) 08 ABU DHABI 1291
Classified by Ambassador Richard Olson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000173
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PARM EAID NATO AF PK AE
SUBJECT: REQUESTING UAE VIEWS ON AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN POLICY
REF: A) STATE 14097, B) 08 ABU DHABI 1291
Classified by Ambassador Richard Olson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash
took careful notes February 18 as the Ambassador delivered ref A points
regarding U.S. interest in the UAE's "considered views" on goals,
priorities, and actions that we might focus on in our
Pakistan/Afghanistan policy review. Dr. Gargash was familiar with the
rough 6-week timeline for the review (Ambassador noted that the April 4
NATO summit was one key driver in the timing) and undertook to supply
UAEG views by mid-March.
2. (C) Comment: The UAEG is seized with issues of stability in
Pakistan and Afghanistan; it hosts roughly 900,000 Pakistani nationals
(from unskilled workers to wealthy businessmen),which matches the
entire population of Emirati nationals. UAE leaders have strong
personal ties to Pakistani leaders, including the late PM Benazir
Bhutto, and were nervous about stability when Musharraf was under
pressure to resign last year. Abu Dhabi hosted the mid-November
"Friends of Pakistan" group and is genuinely interested in assisting
stable development (although cautious about donating without assurances
of wise implementation of projects). On the Afghan side of the border,
the UAEG has 300 special operations troops on the ground supporting
ISAF and has made significant humanitarian and development
contributions in Afghanistan (ref B). We anticipate that the UAEG will
want to share views on these issues and will report further
conversations on the matter. End comment.
OLSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PARM EAID NATO AF PK AE
SUBJECT: REQUESTING UAE VIEWS ON AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN POLICY
REF: A) STATE 14097, B) 08 ABU DHABI 1291
Classified by Ambassador Richard Olson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash
took careful notes February 18 as the Ambassador delivered ref A points
regarding U.S. interest in the UAE's "considered views" on goals,
priorities, and actions that we might focus on in our
Pakistan/Afghanistan policy review. Dr. Gargash was familiar with the
rough 6-week timeline for the review (Ambassador noted that the April 4
NATO summit was one key driver in the timing) and undertook to supply
UAEG views by mid-March.
2. (C) Comment: The UAEG is seized with issues of stability in
Pakistan and Afghanistan; it hosts roughly 900,000 Pakistani nationals
(from unskilled workers to wealthy businessmen),which matches the
entire population of Emirati nationals. UAE leaders have strong
personal ties to Pakistani leaders, including the late PM Benazir
Bhutto, and were nervous about stability when Musharraf was under
pressure to resign last year. Abu Dhabi hosted the mid-November
"Friends of Pakistan" group and is genuinely interested in assisting
stable development (although cautious about donating without assurances
of wise implementation of projects). On the Afghan side of the border,
the UAEG has 300 special operations troops on the ground supporting
ISAF and has made significant humanitarian and development
contributions in Afghanistan (ref B). We anticipate that the UAEG will
want to share views on these issues and will report further
conversations on the matter. End comment.
OLSON