US embassy cable - 04ABUDHABI568

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Identifier:	04ABUDHABI568
Wikileaks:	View 04ABUDHABI568 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Abu Dhabi
Created:	2004-03-03 13:47:00
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Tags:	PREL PTER IZ TC
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000568 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ARP, AND S/CT 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2009 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, IZ, TC 
SUBJECT: CONDEMNING THE TERRORIST ATTACKS IN IRAQ 
 
REF: (A) STATE 47118, (B) ABU DHABI 3976, (C) ABU 
DHABI 3827 
 
Classified by Ambassador Marcelle M. Wahba, reasons 
1.5 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (U) UAE officials denounced the attacks in Baghdad 
and Karbala, and pledged to cooperate in global 
efforts to fight terror.  The public condemnations had 
been aired on television and published in the local 
press by the time Post received ref A demarche. 
Nevertheless, PolChief delivered ref A points March 3 
to Ambassador Ahmed Al Muqarrab, MFA director of the 
European, American and Oceanic Department. 
 
2. (U) "The UAE expresses shock and strongly condemns 
such crimes, which are denounced by all divine laws 
and human values," an official source at the Foreign 
Ministry told the press.  The Gulf News reported that 
the UAE had called on the Iraqi leadership and all 
organizations and parties to exercise self-restraint 
and thwart attempts aimed at igniting sedition and 
ripping apart national unity in the country.  The MFA 
source said that Iraqis would overcome this 
"distressful tragedy, abort sedition, and work hand in 
hand to restore stability and carry on the 
reconstruction of Iraq." 
 
3. (U) In a separate statement issued at a seminar on 
terrorism co-sponsored by the UN and the Ministry of 
Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowment, Justice 
Minister Mohammed Nakhira Al Dhaheri said that the UAE 
is "dedicated to combating terrorism whether 
regionally or internationally and has exerted huge 
efforts in international cooperation in the fight 
against terrorism."  He cited the UAEG's 
accomplishments in counter-terrorism, including the 
establishment of a national committee for the 
prevention of terrorism.  Central Bank Governor Sultan 
Al Suweidi, speaking at the same seminar, said that 
terrorism is a global problem which has a substantial 
impact on the security of the international community 
due to its links with extremism and destruction, 
"which lead in turn to the spread of poverty and 
under-development."  He noted the Central Bank's 
efforts to combat terrorism financing, including 
requesting banks to search for and freeze any 
accounts, deposits or investments that are in the 
names of terrorist leaders, terrorist organizations, 
or those who help terrorists. 
 
4. (C) Comment: Unlike like August after the attacks 
on UN headquarters in Baghdad (ref C) and in Najaf 
(see ref B), the government's strong condemnation of 
the attacks in Iraq did not need any prompting from 
the USG.  By the time Post received reftel March 3, 
local media had aired and published the UAEG 
statements. 
WAHBA