MEETING WITH UAE MINISTER OF JUSTICE REGARDING MLAT

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000164 SENSITIVE SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION JUSTICE FOR OIA FBI FOR IOD/MEU DOD FOR WESCHLER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KTIA AE SUBJECT: MEETING WITH UAE MINISTER OF JUSTICE REGARDING MLAT ¶1. (SBU) On January 27, the Ambassador, accompanied by Legatt, met with Dr. Hadef bin Jua'an al Dhaheri, UAE Minister of Justice, to discuss the current UAE position on a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) reftel. Al Dhaheri advised the UAE desires to have an MLAT with the US and the UAE is willing to move forward with MLAT negotiations if the US will make a commitment on extradition and civil/commercial treaties. Al Dhaheri will discuss the MLAT issue with his staff to consider possible ways to advance the treaty with the US. Al Dhaheri confirmed that the UAE's position remains to link the three treaties. (Comment: Al Dhaheri emphasized the word "commitment" to move on the other treaties, implying that it would not be necessary to conclude all three, but that it would be necessary to begin negotiations on all three.) ¶2. (SBU) Al Dhaheri may be traveling to the US in March or April. Legatt suggested the Minister consider meeting with the Attorney General and other Department of Justice officials during his visit. ¶3. (SBU) Al Dhaheri requested judicial training from the US for UAE prosecutors. He specifically mentioned the need for a judicial training workshop this fall for about 40 newly hired prosecutors, and subsequent travel to the US of 5-10 prosecutors building on the successful experience of training UAE judges at the Federal Judicial Center. ¶4. (SBU) Al Dhaheri explained the UAE recently signed a prisoner transfer agreement with Spain and the UAE desires to pursue the same type of agreement with the US. Al Dhaheri was advised of existing multi-lateral prisoner transfer treaties currently in effect. OLSON