US embassy cable - 04MANAMA1888

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001888 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR HADLEY 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2014 
TAGS: PREL, MARR, KDEM, IZ, IR, BA, TC 
SUBJECT: DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR HADLEY'S DECEMBER 
4 MEETING WITH UAE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
ABDUL RASHED AL NUAYMI 
 
 
Classified by A/DCM Hallie H. Hahn for reasons 1.4 (b) and 
(d). 
 
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Summary 
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1.  (C) Deputy National Security Advisor Hadley met with UAE 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Under Secretary Abdallah Rashed 
Al Nuaymi December 4 on the margins of the IISS Gulf Security 
Dialogue conference in Manama.  Al Nuaymi said that the 
United Arab Emirates was pleased with progress in the 
bilateral relationship and seeks to expand the strategic 
partnership.  DNSA Hadley stated that the President sees an 
opportunity to make progress on the Israel/Palestinian issue 
and urged the UAE to support the Palestinian Authority and 
the new president.  Al Nuaymi said that the UAE would do so 
and hoped that PM Sharon does the right thing.  DNSA Hadley 
said that the United States wants full participation in 
Iraq's elections, and Al Nuaymi replied that the Sunnis need 
to know that they will get their share of power and will not 
be second class citizens.  Al Nuaymi said that Iran will not 
relinquish its nuclear ambitions and the international 
community must apply pressure at all times.  End Summary. 
 
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Expanding the Strategic Partnership 
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2.  (C) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Under Secretary Abdallah 
Rashed Al Nuaymi opened the December 4 meeting with Deputy 
National Security Advisor Hadley by emphasizing the 
importance the United Arab Emirates places on its bilateral 
relationship with the United States.  The two countries have 
achieved a lot of success in bilateral cooperation, and the 
UAE wants to ensure that relations move forward in all areas. 
 In 2002, the UAE and U.S. established a strategic 
partnership; the list of areas of bilateral cooperation now 
covers 27 pages, including political issues, counter 
terrorism, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  The UAE would like to 
focus on areas such as a free trade agreement and the 
G8/Broader Middle East Forum for the Future.  DNSA Hadley 
expressed his condolences for the passing of Shaikh Zayed and 
stated that the U.S. also wants to focus on the bilateral 
relationship, which has a lot of potential. 
 
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Second Chance to Help Abu Mazen 
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3.  (C) DNSA Hadley stated that the President believes there 
is a strategic opportunity for movement on the 
Israel/Palestinian issue, and he would like to see the 
countries of the region step up.  The Palestinians need help; 
each month, Finance Minister Fayyad needs money to pay 
salaries.  After the elections, the international community 
should help the new president with political and financial 
support.  This could be a second chance to help Abu Mazen. 
 
4.  (C) Al Nuaymi said that in the past the UAE had problems 
with Arafat, and now wants Abu Mazen back.  He is a close 
friend and the UAE will support him and the Palestinian 
people fully.  He hoped that Israel does not let this chance 
go by.  DNSA Hadley responded that NSC Senior Director Abrams 
was in Jerusalem to explore with the GOI what could be done 
after the elections.  PM Sharon has said the right things and 
we need to be sure that these words are transferred into 
deeds.  Al Nuaymi stated that Abu Mazen will do his best but 
he does not have all the strings to control Hamas and PIJ. 
He noted that Egypt should also play a major role by ensuring 
that Israel does not block progress or be heavy handed. 
 
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Broadest Possible Participation in Iraqi Elections 
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5.  (C) DNSA Hadley told Al Nuaymi that the U.S. wants the 
broadest possible participation in the upcoming Iraqi 
elections.  We have to work together to assure the Sunnis 
that there is a place for them in the new Iraq.  There are 
calls from some for a delay in the elections, but we believe 
the message should be that now is the time for the Sunnis to 
get involved.  Al Nuaymi said that the UAE has believed from 
the beginning that Iraqis should govern themselves, and the 
issue now is how to get the Sunnis to the ballot box.  They 
need to know that they will get their share of political 
power and they will not be second class citizens.  They 
should feel they are part of the process and are fully 
engaged. 
6.  (C) DNSA Hadley said that the U.S. is telling Iraqis and 
others that the U.S. is steadfast in its determination to see 
through the Iraq project.  We will stay long enough for 
Iraqis to build a democracy and not one day longer.  Al 
Nuaymi said that the UAE understands this and wants Iraq to 
be a normal state respecting its neighbors and playing its 
role in the region. 
 
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Dangerous Iranian Nuclear Ambitions 
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7.  (C) In response to DNSA Hadley's question, Al Nuaymi said 
that Iran will not relinquish its nuclear ambitions.  It will 
evade and maneuver and when the international community turns 
away, will continue to work on its program.  There needs to 
be pressure on Iran at all times, particularly regarding 
nuclear weapons.  The IAEA must act forcefully on inspections 
because Iran will try to hide things.  The Europeans do not 
understand that Iran negotiates with different faces at 
different times.  In the end, deed count, not words.  DNSA 
Hadley said that the United States occasionally comes under 
pressure to negotiate with Iran, to alter our policy of 
sustained pressure.  Al Nuaymi replied that the UAE tells the 
Europeans, Japanese and others that it wants to see Iran 
living in harmony with its neighbors.  The UAE has strong 
trade and transportation links with Iran.  But it is scared 
of Iran because of its political system, military ambitions, 
and the role it is playing in Iraq. 
 
8.  (C) Al Nuaymi continued that there are three major 
variables determining the path Iran takes in the future: 
what role the older generation of revolutionaries plays in 
the future; the demands of the younger generation; and how 
stringent is internal security.  He said that change in Iran 
will not be quick, but history is moving in one direction and 
Iran will eventually have to move with it. 
 
9.  (U) Baghdad minimize considered. 
 
10.  (C) The NSC cleared this message. 
 
MONROE