UAE SUPPORTS TFG IN SOMALIA -- VIA ARAB LEAGUE

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000444 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, AF/E/MWALSH E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV SO AE SUBJECT: UAE SUPPORTS TFG IN SOMALIA -- VIA ARAB LEAGUE REF: STATE 39133 Sensitive but unclassified; please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Pol Chief discussed reftel points, including UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah's remarks about supporting TFG security forces, on May 4 with MFA Department of Arab Affairs Director (Ambassador) Mohammed Sultan Saif al-Sowaidi. Al-Sowaidi clearly stated UAEG support for the TFG and Sheikh Sharif, agreeing that this is an important juncture in which to lend financial support as well. He said current funding mechanisms focus on the Arab League, to which the UAEG makes contributions (he referred to an aggregate Arab League donation of $3 million monthly). The Arab League also supports AMISON, he noted. ¶2. (SBU) The UAE's bilateral assistance to Somalia is primarily in humanitarian relief, said al-Sowaidi, and largely coordinated through the UAE Red Crescent. Pol Chief reiterated the need of the international community, including the UAEG, to increase support for the TFG. GREENE