UAEG STRICT LIMITS ON PRIVATE WEAPONS POSSESSION

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000761 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/TRA/OTP (HAYWOOD) AND PM/ISO (FREDERICK) USCG FOR JOHN KOEPPEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT KHLS ASEC KOMC MARR PARM PREL PHSA CASC AE SUBJECT: UAEG STRICT LIMITS ON PRIVATE WEAPONS POSSESSION REFS: A) STATE 45331 B) ABU DHABI 607 (NOTAL) C) ABU DHABI 583 (NOTAL) ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The UAEG has strict laws regarding private possession of weapons and ammunition. Americans have been arrested and jailed for transporting such weapons and equipment, even in cases where airline and U.S. authorities allowed shipment on a U.S.-originating flight. Although diplomatic clearances for official arms are easily facilitated, UAE officials state that there are no official procedures for private entities to obtain such permission. Given the UAE's laws and the lack of an official permission mechanism, Post does not/not recommend U.S. citizens or companies attempt to transit the UAE with weapons and/or ammunition. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) The answers below are keyed to Ref A questions: -- 1. and 2. UAE laws ban private individuals from bearing arms and possessing ammunition. UAE authorities will confiscate any weapons, weapon parts, ammunition, body armor, handcuffs, and/or other military/police equipment transported to or through a civilian airport. Americans have been arrested and jailed for transporting such weapons and equipment, even though airline and U.S. authorities allowed shipment on a U.S.-originating flight. UAE officials report there are no existing procedures to grant private individuals and/or entities permission to bring weapons or ammunition into the country, including for transit. -- 3. Post is able to obtain MFA approval for USG security personnel to bring in weapons and ammunition. U.S. naval vessels regularly enter UAE ports with all weapons securely stored and prior diplomatic clearance. -- 4. There is no difference in clearance procedures for military and civilian USG personnel. -- 5. UN Convention on the Law of the Sea procedures provide the basis for the UAE response to piracy. The exact UAEG response would depend on the circumstances of the specific case. -- 6. Responsible UAE government entities include the Ministry of Interior, State Security, Critical National Infrastructure Authority (Coast Guard),National Transport Authority and individual emirates' police and customs officials. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: Given the UAEG's demonstrated sensitivity to these issues (Refs B and C),post strongly recommends that no/no U.S. vessels or security teams transit UAE territory, by air, land or sea. We further advise that no USG entity attempt to facilitate efforts by U.S. entities to do so. End Comment. GREENE