Contents of the United States diplomatic cables leak (United Arab Emirates)

Content from the United States diplomatic cables leak has depicted United Arab Emirates and related subjects extensively. The leak, which began on 28 November 2010, occurred when the website of WikiLeaks — an international new media non-profit organisation that publishes submissions of otherwise unavailable documents from anonymous news sources and news leaks — started to publish classified documents of detailed correspondence — diplomatic cables — between the United States Department of State and its diplomatic missions around the world. Since the initial release date, WikiLeaks is releasing further documents every day.

Iran-UAE relations

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates, referred to as MBZ in the cables, urged the U.S. not to appease Iran and said, "Ahmadinejad is Hitler".[1] He said that UAE is even more worried about Iranian intentions than is Israel and described a nuclear-armed Iran as absolutely untenable. He believes that "all hell will break loose" if Iran attains the bomb, with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Turkey developing their own nuclear weapons capability and Iran instigating Sunni-Shia conflict.[2]

Lebanon-UAE relations

Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed has said that UAE will purchase additional munitions for Lebanese Armed Forces helicopters, donated by the UAE to LAF last year, but is waiting for France to provide a price estimate.[2]

Pakistan-UAE relations

Zardari "dirty", Nawaz Sharif "dangerous"

In July 2009, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and de facto defence chief, said Zardari was "dirty but not dangerous" and that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was "dangerous but not dirty -- this is Pakistan".[3]

UAE persuaded US to sell F-16

Muhammad bin Zayed supported the U.S.'s decision to sell F-16 aircraft to Pakistan to strengthen the Musharraf government, saying the sale would not alter the balance of strength between India and Pakistan.[4]

India and UAE support Baloch insurgency

DG ISI General Shuja Pasha commented that India, the UAE, and Russia were funding, arming, and training the Baloch rebels.[5]

Drone attacks in Pakistan

In a cable it was noted that UAE had allowed Americans to use an airstrip of UAE in Pakistan (Shamsi Airbase) in order to launch drone strikes against militants. UAE became upset over publicity of support to US military in Pakistan when it was revealed by General Tommy Franks in his book "American Soldier.[6]

UAE-UK relations

Diplomats in the U.A.E. revealed that Muhammad bin Zayed, Abdullah II of Jordan and the U.K.'s Prince Andrew, Duke of York, are "close friends" that "frequently hunt — in Morocco and Tanzania".[7]

Predator drones

U.A.E. military officials have pressured the U.S. for Predator B drones, to be used in countering Iran. As Iran is known to be developing its own drones, a U.A.E. general stated "That's why we need it first...give me Predator B".[8]

Israel and Iran's nuclear programme

Muhammad bin Zayed believes that an Israeli strike will not be successful in stopping Iran's nuclear programme, and therefore a new plan is required. He also believes that Israel will strike Iran, causing Iran to launch missile attacks including hits on the U.A.E. and to unleash attacks worldwide. In his view, the map of the Middle East would change.[9] MBZ said Iran is surrounding Israel driven by ideological conviction and will threaten Israel's existence should it go nuclear. At the same time, he described Iran's ambitions as reflecting a desire to restore Persia's great-power status, rather than driven by religious convictions.[9]

MBZ suggested that the key to containing Iran revolves around progress on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. He argued that it will be essential to bring Arab public opinion in line with the leadership in any conflict with Iran and that roughly eighty percent of the public is amenable to persuasion. To win them over, the U.S. would have to quickly bring about a two state solution over the objections of the Netanyahu government. He suggested working with moderate Palestinians that support the road map, and forget about the others as there is no time to waste.[9]

Muhammad bin Zayed

Muhammad bin Zayed apparently runs the U.A.E. While he is officially only the Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and his only federal title is Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, he is said to be the key decision maker on national security issues. He was observed to be unlike his elder half-brother President Khalifa, who is reported to be a distant and uncharismatic personage. "MBZ" has authority in all matters except for final decisions on oil policy and major state expenditures.[10]

UAE donors fund terror groups

It was noted in a cable that UAE-based donors have provided financial support to a variety of terrorist groups, including al-Qa'ida, the Taliban, LeT and other terrorist groups. They also fund Hamas.[11]

Alleged Indian and Iranian support for insurgents in Pakistan

The U.A.E. believed that India and Iran had aided Taliban and Pushtun separatists in Pakistan, and that Pashtuns in the UAE may be supporting the Taliban.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Keinon, Herb (30 November 2010). "WikiLeaks: Burying Linkage between Peace Process, Iran". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  2. 1 2 "US embassy cables: Saudis fear 'Shia triangle' of Iran, Iraq and Pakistan". The Guardian. London. 3 December 2010.
  3. ↑ Allbritton, Chris (29 November 2010). "Pakistan Defends Nuclear Stance Revealed by WikiLeaks". Reuters. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
  4. ↑ Staff writer (29 November 2010). "Exposed: UAE, Turkey Betrayed India?". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
  5. ↑ http://tribune.com.pk/story/84902/wikileaks-india-russia-supporting-baloch-insurgency/
  6. ↑ http://www.dawn.com/2011/05/26/2005-uae-upset-over-publicity-of-support-to-us-military-in-pakistan.html
  7. ↑ Leigh, David; Booth, Robert (29 November 2010). "US Embassy Cables Flush Out Royal Gossip — Nuggets of Diplomatic 'News' about Prince Charles, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew Found in Leaked Dispatches". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  8. ↑ Rawnsley, Adam (29 November 2010). "WikiLeaks Reveals Everybody's Christmas List: The World Wants Drones". Wired News. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  9. 1 2 3 "Crown Prince sounds alarm on Iran". WikiLeaks. 20 July 2009. WikiLeaks cable: 09ABUDHABI736. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  10. ↑ "Scenesetter for the President's meeting with Shaykh Mohammed Bin Zayed". WikiLeaks. 31 August 2009. WikiLeaks cable: 09ABUDHABI862. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  11. ↑ "US embassy cables: Hillary Clinton says Saudi Arabia 'a critical source of terrorist funding'". The Guardian. London. 5 December 2010.
  12. ↑ Staff writer (6 December 2010). "UAE Officials Believed India Helped Pak Taliban, Pashtuns". Press Trust of India (via daily.bhaskar.com). Retrieved 13 December 2010.

External links

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