US embassy cable - 05ABUDHABI3801

S E C R E T ABU DHABI 003801 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/ELA, AND IO/UNP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PTER, SY, TC 
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON ISOLATING SYRIA AT UNGA 
 
REF: A. STATE 159137 
     B. ABU DHABI 3700 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison. 
Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
1. (S) In a September 4 call on Abdullah Rashid Al Noaimi, 
U/S for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador delivered ref A demarche 
and argued that Syria must be isolated at the UNGA Summit in 
order to send a strong message that Syria will be held 
accountable for its abysmal record on support for terrorist 
and the insurgency in Iraq, interference in the internal 
affairs of Lebanon, Palestinian extremist groups and human 
rights. 
 
2. (S) Ambassador underscored that all nations should focus 
on "isolation, not engagement" with regard to Syria.  She 
cited Iraqi FM Zebari's call on Syria to honor member states' 
obligations to prevent the movement of extremist elements 
into Iraq and the failure of Syria to heed this call.  While 
acknowledging Syria's role as a transit point into Iraq and 
common US-UAE goals vis-a-vis Syria, Al Noaimi responded that 
the UAEG preferred an approach which would "help" President 
Bashar Al Asad free himself of the "old guard" surrounding 
him, rather than to isolate him.  The Ambassador responded 
that isolation, not engagement, was the best way to send the 
clearest, most direct message that current Syrian actions 
will not be tolerated. 
 
3. (S) Al Noaimi noted that UAE's UNGA high level event 
attendee, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, would likely 
engage Syria, referring to Sheikh Abdullah's July 31 meeting 
with Bashar in Damascus.  If this was to be the case, said 
Ambassador, the US urged the UAEG to convey the message that 
Syria's behavior was not/not acceptable.  Al Naoimi nodded 
agreement and conceded that Bashar had "not done enough." 
 
 
SISON