US embassy cable - 04ABUDHABI4237

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 004237 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR G/TIP, INL, DRL, NEA/RA, AND NEA/ARP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2014 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, TC, PK 
SUBJECT: ANTI-TRAFFICKING NGO MEETS WITH UAE LEADERSHIP 
 
 
Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Summary: Ansar Burney founder of the NGO featured in 
the October 19 HBO documentary highlighting the UAE's camel 
jockey issue, met November 21 with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince 
and UAE Armed Forces Chief of Staff Sheikh Mohammed bin 
Zayed (MbZ) and UAE Minister of Interior Sheikh Saif bin 
Zayed (SbZ).  Both Burney and the sheikhs' staff told us 
that the meetings were productive.  End summary. 
 
2. (C) On November 22, Poloff met with Ansar Burney, 
founder of the Ansar Burney International Welfare Trust. 
Burney said that MbZ and SbZ appeared to be genuinely 
concerned about the welfare of the boys featured in the 
October 19 documentary, as well as any underage camel 
jockeys working illegally in the UAE.  Burney said both 
sheikhs offered the support of their offices, and said they 
would not interfere with future rescue efforts (although 
SbZ said he preferred that Burney worked with law 
enforcement in the future).  Burney stated he was not 
convinced by the sheikhs' claims of ignorance of the 
ongoing problem, and said as much to the sheikhs.  However, 
Burney and the UAE's officials parted with the 
understanding that they were working toward the same goal, 
and said they would continue to communicate to accelerate 
efforts to save trafficking victims. 
 
3. (C) SbZ's special advisor, Issam Azouri, told Burney 
that if he was aware of the names of any traffickers, no 
matter how prominent the individuals or their benefactors, 
he should let his office know and they would take immediate 
action.  SbZ told Burney that, now that he has been 
promoted to minister, he will be better able to control law 
enforcement UAE-wide.  Azouri said that SbZ directed his 
staff to assist Burney to rescue victims, especially the 
boy named "Shakeel," who was featured in the HBO 
documentary.  Burney told SbZ that he appreciated the 
offer, and would make every effort to work with the UAEG, 
but would continue to save boys with or without UAEG 
assistance or permission.  Azouri said that SbZ reminded 
Burney that many of the boys are here with their parents, 
and that UAE laws do not permit separation of children from 
their parents without court involvement.  He asked for 
information on each child Burney wanted to rescue, and said 
that there would be no legal problem removing children from 
the UAE if their parents were not here. (Note: SbZ told 
Ambassador on November 24 that 18 underage boys had been 
rescued by UAE authorities, from a camel farm the day 
before; septel to follow). 
 
4. (C) MbZ's special advisor, Yousef Al Otaiba, told Poloff 
that the MbZ/Burney meeting was equally successful.  Burney 
was touched that MbZ appeared to be visibly moved as he 
discussed the abuse suffered by the victims.  Burney said 
that MbZ told him that he watched the program with his nine 
children, and the whole family was moved to tears.  Burney 
told Poloff that he had said to MbZ that he could not 
believe that MbZ could have remained completely unaware of 
the issue, since camel racing was a sport closely followed 
in the UAE.  MbZ told Burney he wanted to put the past 
behind them, and work together to stop any future abuses. 
 
SISON