UPDATE ON UAE RESPONSE TO USG INFORMATION REQUESTS;

S E C R E T ABU DHABI 000901

NOFORN
SIPDIS

ISN/CPI FOR CHRIS HERRINGTON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/10/2034
TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL PARM MNUC KNNP KSTC IR
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON UAE RESPONSE TO USG INFORMATION REQUESTS;
COUNTERPROLIFERATION TASK FORCE EXPERTS GROUP MEETING PROPOSED FOR
NOVEMBER

Classified by CDADouglas Greene for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

Ref (A) STATE 91868; Ref (B) STATE 88541; Ref (C) STATE 88639; Ref
(D) STATE 21426


1. (S) This is an action request; please see paragraph 6.


2. (S) Summary: Pol Chief delivered ref A demarche on disposition of
interdicted cargo to MFA counterproliferation (CP) lead, Deputy Legal
Affairs Director Abdullah al-Naqbi, on September 9. In response to
the USG requestto schedule thenext meeting of the US-UAE CP Experts
Group, to discuss primarily disposition issues, al-Naqbi suggested
November, rather than September or October. PolChief also raised
the need to schedule EXBS training for UAE officials (ref B);
outstanding requests for information on specific CP cases (ref C);
and UAE progress toward establishing implementation and disposition
regulations and in setting up a CP Office to implement existing and
new Emirati export controls under the 1997 law and accompanying
regulations (ref D). End Summary.

Progress on CP Implementation Office in Dubai
--------------


3. (S) Al-Naqbi reported that much progress had been made in
establishing the new CP Office. The head of the office is now MFA
(diplomat) Hamad al-Shamsi, who al-Naqbi described as experienced and
capable. The office is now staffed with representatives from
customs, state security, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior,
and an addition MFA member. At the moment, al-Naqbi explained, the
office is dealing with interdictions on a case by case basis, but is
setting up its database and website for licensing and tracking, along
with other computer-based capabilities which will be needed once the
implementation and disposition regulations are in place. Al-Naqbi
promised to take Pol Chief to the Dubai office to see the facilities
and meet the staff following the Eid holiday.

Training
--------------


4. (S) Al-Naqbi said he had distributed ref B US training courses and
schedule options to the appropriate Federal and Dubai agencies but
had not received any responses. He acknowledged the need to be more
proactive and said he would make clear the need to assign and
schedule training in the short-term to the agencies' representatives
on September 14.

UAE CP Committee Meeting, Joint US-UAE Experts Meeting
-------------- --------------


5. (S) Al-Naqbi lamented the multiple postponements of meetings of
the UAE working group due to Ramadan, but promised the committee
would meet September 14. Al Naqbi shared the Agenda items for the
September 14 meeting: U.S. training; progress report from CP Office
head al-Shamsi; approval to move forward on theUAE's draft letter
providing additional information on the M/V ANL Australia to the UNSC
on violation of UNSCR 1784.; and preparation of disposition
regulations to submit to UAE cabinet for approval.


6. (C) Action Request: Al-Naqbi suggested November for the next
meeting of the US-UAE experts group, and agreed on disposition as the
primary agenda item. Post requests guidance from department on
possible November dates for a Washington meeting, as well as
suggested add-on visits for Emirati officials to CP-related sites in
the US. End Action Request.

New Information on Interdiction Cases
--------------


7. (S/NF) The UAE is preparing a supplemental letter to the UNSCR
1874 Committee on the violations report it submitted on the
interdiction of the M/V ANL Australia. Al-Naqbi agreed to pass to
pass us an unofficial copy of this letter at the same time it is
submitted in New York.