VZCZCXRO0558
PP RUEHDE
DE RUEHAD #3782 2691200
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 261200Z SEP 06 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7102
INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1538
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0319 S E C R E T ABU DHABI 003782 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR S/CT ECROWE, NEA/ARP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2016 
TAGS:        
SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE: TALIBAN UAE STRATEGY 
 
REF: STATE 145269 
 
Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1. 
4 (b & d). 
 
 1. (S/NF) Post appreciates the opportunity to comment on 
reftel strategy for disrupting external financing to the 
Taliban.  We believe that the draft background paper covers 
the issue in a comprehensive fashion.  In the UAE 
specifically, we would propose using the existing Joint 
Terror Financing Coordinating Committee as our lead mechanism 
for implementing a strategy of disrupting external financing 
to the Taliban.  We would additionally use opportunities for 
Ambassador and/or senior Washington officials to raise USG 
concerns with senior UAE officials including the Central Bank 
Governor, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince 
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, and UAE Foreign Minister 
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. In addition, our DEA 
attaches are working closely with the UAEG to disrupt drug 
and drug money flows through the UAE.  As a key part of our 
interaction with the UAEG we would recommend noting that the 
UAE has special operations troops operating in Afghanistan -- 
and thus it is in its own interest to disrupt funding to the 
Taliban. 
 
 2. (S) On September 12, during the 3rd meeting of the JTFCC, 
Treasury A/S O,Brien raised U.S. concerns with cash flows to 
the Taliban.  Central Bank Governor Suweidi said 
that the UAE was ready to cooperate and explained that the 
UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) had trained the Afghan 
FIU and is looking to sign a memorandum of understanding with 
its Afghan counterpart.  The next round of the JTFCC is 
tentatively proposed for January 2007.  We would propose 
following up on the issue during that meeting.  The Governor 
has accepted an invitation to attend the second U.S. - MENA 
dialogue on anti-money laundering and counter-terror finance 
in New York from December 11-13.  This visit would be an 
excellent opportunity for senior Treasury officials to meet 
with him and press our strategy of disrupting financing to 
the Taliban. 
 
 3. (C) We are currently working with the UAE to have it 
accept a DHS/ICE-proposed operation to target cash couriers 
in three UAE airports (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah). 
Under the terms of the proposal, the DHS/ICE agents would 
play a strictly advisory role.  Post plans to present the 
Central Bank with a paper describing the differences between 
U.S. and UAE regulations on cash couriers on September 26. 
Given the apparent importance of cash couriers in funding the 
Taliban, this program could prove effective in disrupting 
funding, should the UAE agree to implement it. 
 
 4. (C) Our DEA Attaches are focused on investigating the 
financial flows associated with the Afghan narcotics trade. 
The DEA Attaches are coordinating closely with the UAE to 
combat drugs and drug money laundering activities related to 
Afghanistan.  In July, DEA attaches from the UAE and 
Afghanistan met with the head of the UAE Drug Enforcement 
Administration, Ministry of Interior, Dubai Police 
Department, Sharjah Police Department and the UAE 
Drug Liaison Officer assigned to Islamabad, Pakistan.  UAE 
officials reported that they are willing to share information 
on the numerous heroin couriers, most of whom were traveling 
from Afghanistan and Pakistan when they were interdicted. 
SISON