US embassy cable - 05ABUDHABI716

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000716 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2015 
TAGS: EAID, ECON, EFIN, KPAL, KWBG, PREL, TC 
SUBJECT: UAEG EXPRESSES VIEWS ON ISRAEL-PALESTINE 
 
REF: STATE 26150 
 
 (U) Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Summary:  On February 13, MFA U/S Abdullah Rashid 
Al-Noaimi told visiting ARPI Office Director Alan Misenheimer 
and DCM that he is more optimistic about the prospect for 
peace in Israel and Palestine since Abu Mazen,s election. 
He noted that motion on this front will help solve other 
regional problems, but remained concerned about Iran,s 
potential to destabilize both Israeli-Paletinian peace and 
Lebanon.  End Summary. 
 
2.  (C) Al-Noaimi told Misenheimer and DCM that &the peace 
train has departed from Sharm al-Sheikh and it,s not going 
to stop.8  He said the UAEG knows Abu Mazen well, is 
optimistic about him as a leader, and is encouraged by his 
engagement with Hamas.  He called Abu Mazen a statesman who 
can lead people, whereas Arafat could never distance himself 
from his guerilla past.  The UAE believes that supporting Abu 
Mazen and the Palestinians politically and financially is in 
its self interest, and will continue to do so.  (Note:  Post 
delivered draft version of reftel demarche during 
Misenheimer,s visit.  End note.)  Without committing to a 
direct figure, Al-Noaimi opened the door to renewed UAE 
assistance to the PA, noting that UAE concerns about Arafat 
and corruption had forced the UAEG to concentrate its support 
on humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people and 
funnel it through the UAE Red Crescent.  (Note:  Although 
2004 data is not available, the UAE provided Palestinians 
more than 200 million dollars in humanitarian aid in grants 
and loans in 2003; this figure does not include in-kind 
assistance.  End note.). 
 
3.  (C) Al-Noaimi said that the momentum from progress in 
Israel and Palestine will propel resolution of other problems 
in the Middle East, such as Lebanon and Syria.  He added that 
the more the Palestinians progress toward peace, the more 
pressure there will be on Syria to reform. 
 
4.  (C) Al-Noaimi viewed Iran as the biggest threat to 
stability and the peace process.  Recalling his recent visit 
to Lebanon, Al-Noaimi said that he doesn,t like to see 
Iranians in the Bekaa Valley or hear Farsi on Lebanese radio. 
 He stated that it was necessary to &unplug8 Iran from 
Lebanon and Syria, and urged the United States to keep up 
pressure on Iran. 
 
5.  (C) Misenheimer encouraged the UAEG to urge Iran to move 
in a constructive direction, stating Iran should support a 
final outcome of a Palestinian state.  Al-Noaimi was 
pessimistic about Iran changing its policies.  He described 
Tehran airport signs with Palestinian and anti-US slogans, 
and stated that Iran needs this rhetoric to maintain the 
regime,s legitimacy. 
 
SISON 
SISON