Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUDHABI857
2009-08-30 13:04:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
MEDIA COVERAGE OF UAE NORTH KOREAN ARMS SEIZURE
how-toVZCZCXRO4441 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR RUEHKUK RUEHTRO DE RUEHAD #0857 2421304 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 301304Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2877 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0251 RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 0138
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 000857
NOFORN
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP, FOR T/ISN
E.O. 12958: 08/29/2019
TAGS: PREL PARM MNUC KNNP ETTC IR NK AE
SUBJECT: MEDIA COVERAGE OF UAE NORTH KOREAN ARMS SEIZURE
CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR RICHARD G. OLSON FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D.
REFS: A) ABU DHABI 797 (NOTAL)
B) SECSTATE 86588
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 000857
NOFORN
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP, FOR T/ISN
E.O. 12958: 08/29/2019
TAGS: PREL PARM MNUC KNNP ETTC IR NK AE
SUBJECT: MEDIA COVERAGE OF UAE NORTH KOREAN ARMS SEIZURE
CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR RICHARD G. OLSON FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D.
REFS: A) ABU DHABI 797 (NOTAL)
B) SECSTATE 86588
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: UAEG officials, though initially reluctant to
comment, have now publicly confirmed media reports of the seized
cargo of ANL Australia after reporters in Dubai learned of it from
shipping industry sources. Subsequent widespread media coverage
highlighted the UAE's previously low-profile interdiction program.
END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) London-based business daily Financial Times' Dubai
correspondent broke the story on August 28. Other Western media
outlets followed with quotes from an unnamed UN official providing a
detailed description of the embargoed materiel seized under UNSCR
1874. State-owned media outlets quoted Western officials praising
the UAE's vigilance enforcing Security Council sanctions.
3. (C) COMMENT: While the UAEG would have preferred to keep the
interdiction out of the public eye, it is not unhappy with this
outcome. MinState for Foreign Affairs Gargash told Ambassador on 30
August that once the UAE passed the information to the UN they knew
it would leak. (Our information is that FT got the initial story
from Dubai shipping sources, not the UN.) The UAE likely sought to
avoid media coverage of an interdiction that could provoke or
embarrass Iran. A key UAE media advisor told the Ambassador that UAE
officials initially refused comment, but concern over the accuracy of
media reports prompted an official UAEG response. Once the seizure
became public, the UAE attempted to manage media coverage by
portraying its role as that of an active and responsible UN member,
not missing an opportunity to bolster its nonproliferation
reputation. END COMMENT.
OLSON
NOFORN
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP, FOR T/ISN
E.O. 12958: 08/29/2019
TAGS: PREL PARM MNUC KNNP ETTC IR NK AE
SUBJECT: MEDIA COVERAGE OF UAE NORTH KOREAN ARMS SEIZURE
CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR RICHARD G. OLSON FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D.
REFS: A) ABU DHABI 797 (NOTAL)
B) SECSTATE 86588
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: UAEG officials, though initially reluctant to
comment, have now publicly confirmed media reports of the seized
cargo of ANL Australia after reporters in Dubai learned of it from
shipping industry sources. Subsequent widespread media coverage
highlighted the UAE's previously low-profile interdiction program.
END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) London-based business daily Financial Times' Dubai
correspondent broke the story on August 28. Other Western media
outlets followed with quotes from an unnamed UN official providing a
detailed description of the embargoed materiel seized under UNSCR
1874. State-owned media outlets quoted Western officials praising
the UAE's vigilance enforcing Security Council sanctions.
3. (C) COMMENT: While the UAEG would have preferred to keep the
interdiction out of the public eye, it is not unhappy with this
outcome. MinState for Foreign Affairs Gargash told Ambassador on 30
August that once the UAE passed the information to the UN they knew
it would leak. (Our information is that FT got the initial story
from Dubai shipping sources, not the UN.) The UAE likely sought to
avoid media coverage of an interdiction that could provoke or
embarrass Iran. A key UAE media advisor told the Ambassador that UAE
officials initially refused comment, but concern over the accuracy of
media reports prompted an official UAEG response. Once the seizure
became public, the UAE attempted to manage media coverage by
portraying its role as that of an active and responsible UN member,
not missing an opportunity to bolster its nonproliferation
reputation. END COMMENT.
OLSON