Mike Pompeo arrives in UAE for talks

Our Correspondent

United States Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo is in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi for talks in the wake of the US-brokered UAE-Israel peace accord. Pompeo landed in the UAE on August 26 afternoon on the fourth leg of his regional tour, after having visited Israel, Sudan and Bahrain in the past few days. His next destination is Oman.

H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, and Secretary Pompeo reviewed a number of regional and international issues of concern in addition to the prospects of further consolidating the strategic relations between the two friendly countries.

Morgan Ortagus, Spokesperson for the US Department of State, told Emirates News Agency (WAM) that there were “incredibly positive conversations going on” between the US, Israel and UAE with regard to selling F-35 warplanes to the latter. She said Secretary Pompeo is here as more agreements have to formalise between the UAE and Israel, but the first step has been taken and other steps will fall in place.

“With respect to the F-35 or any military hardware or infrastructure, it is important to know that the UAE and US’ military and security relationship is robust and has been there for decades. Since the Gulf War, the US had sold military aircraft and hardware, F-16s, and others to the UAE,” she said. “This is not a new relationship; this is a sophisticated relationship that we have had for decades.”
Ortagus is accompanying Pompeo who, in his meetings this week with Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabi Ashkenazi had been “pretty firm in his commitment to both the UAE and Israel.”

She said, the US was letting all allies in the region know that its commitment to strengthen the UAE militarily is incredibly important.
Ortagus said that the August 13 peace accord showed the UAE’s “strength and power on the international stage.”

She expressed happiness that Israeli and Emirati children will grow up going on vacation in the other’s country and Emirati children will be able to visit the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. It is historic that our children will grow up in a society that is different from the prejudiced one we grew up in, she noted. What is normal is not for people to hate each other, she pointed out, but that there should be peace between Muslims, Christians and Jews.

Earlier on August 25, Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Bawardi, UAE Minister of State for Defence Affairs, held a teleconversation with his Israeli counterpart Benny Gantz regarding the peace deal.

Both ministers expressed conviction that this accord will enhance chances of peace and stability in the region. Both looked forward to strengthening communication channels and establishing solid bilateral relations for the benefit of their countries in particular and the region as a whole.