Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
03ABUDHABI1439 | 2003-03-25 13:03:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Abu Dhabi |
null Diana T Fritz 05/24/2007 04:45:14 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results Cable Text: CONFIDENTIAL SIPDIS TELEGRAM March 25, 2003 To: No Action Addressee Action: Unknown From: AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI (ABU DHABI 1439 - UNKNOWN) TAGS: EAID, PREL, PGOV, PHUM, KPAL, KWBG Captions: None Subject: TFIZ01: UAE POISED TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO IRAQI PEOPLE Ref: None _________________________________________________________________ C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 01439 SIPDIS CXABU: ACTION: POL INFO: RSO AMB DCM P/M ECON DISSEMINATION: POL CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: DCM: RALBRIGHT DRAFTED: ECON:CCRUMPLER CLEARED: CGD: ROLSON, ECON:TWILLIAMS, POL:STWILLIAMS VZCZCADI615 OO RUEHC RUCNRAQ RUEKJCS RUMICEA RUEKJCS RUEHDE DE RUEHAD #1439/01 0841303 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 251303Z MAR 03 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9074 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUMICEA/USCINCCENT INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI PRIORITY 2948 |
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001439 |
1. (U) Classified by DCM Richard A. Albright, for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D). 2. (C) Summary and comment: Under the aegis of the government-run Red Crescent Authority (RCA), the UAE is gearing up to provide significant humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people. In addition to direct contributions from the UAEG, the Emirati public will be mobilized through a series of telethons, food drives at schools and businesses, and other activities that will emphasize popular participation. The UAEG carried out similar humanitarian assistance programs for the Palestinians last year, directly channeling public frustration with events into positive activity. While the UAE has a strong preference to work its humanitarian assistance directly (vice via multilateral organizations or programs), we will work closely with the RCA to track its activities and assist/deconflict as necessary and appropriate. End summary and comment. -------------------------- -- Red Crescent Authority Spearheads Relief Effort -------------------------- -- 3. (C) UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) Chairman Shaykh Hamdan Bin Zayid Al-Nahyan told the Ambassador on March 23 that the Abu Dhabi-headquartered RCA, with branches throughout the UAE, would be responsible for the bulk of UAE humanitarian assistance to Iraq, and would begin distribution of food and supplies as soon as the security situation allows aid workers to enter safely. He agreed that the UAEG, at some point, would probably need to coordinate with the U.S. military to move humanitarian supplies and personnel into Iraq. 4. (C) Shaykh Hamdan noted that the RCA would immediately purchase about $3 million USD in medical supplies and other necessities on the local Iraqi market, to ensure prompt distribution to the needy. RCA already has provided more than $25,000 USD in supplies to hospitals and orphanages in Iraq. 5. (U) According to press reports, the RCA has established 115 posts throughout the UAE where donations in cash and supplies can be received. RCA Manager of Relief and Projects Dr. Salih Al-Taie said the organization expects to provide tons of high- calorie food items, including milk powder and biscuits for children, and supplies such as tents and blankets to the people of Iraq. Al-Taie said that the apparent shortage of drinking water in the city of Basra prompted RCA officials to purchase water filtering equipment and electricity generators, in addition to pharmaceutical products. 6. (U) An RCA delegation left Monday for Amman, Jordan to assess the humanitarian situation of refugees there, according to press reports. RCA officials are organizing similar assessment visits to neighboring countries that expect to receive an influx of Iraqi civilians fleeing the war. -------------------------- World Food Program Opens Its Doors In Dubai -------------------------- 7. (C) The UAE Foreign Ministry yesterday signed an agreement with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) formalizing WFP's regional office in Dubai. Shaykh Hamdan said that the WFP's regional office in Dubai would service the Iraqi people, and begin operations this week. (Note: This is apparently for reasons of political cover. WFP has had a regional office in Dubai for some time, and its operations are not specifically related to the Iraq crisis, although it will in fact support them. End note.) -------------------------- Dubai Starts Its Own Iraq Relief Campaign -------------------------- 8. (U) The Shaykh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Foundation (whose patron is the UAE Defense Minister and Dubai Crown Prince) launched today a 12-hour telethon in support of the Iraqi people on Dubai Television. The slogan of the telethon is "The Campaign For Our Brethren In Iraq." The Foundation is an umbrella organization of 16 charities in the UAE, and has launched a month-long campaign to raise funds and supplies for the Iraqi people. On 23 March, Shaykh Mohammed offered the Foundation's assistance distributing food aid to Iraqis (which he feels would be more acceptable to Iraqis than direct USG assistance)(reftel). 9. (U) According to press reporting, Dubai Attorney General and Vice-Chairman of the MBR Foundation Ibrahim Bu Melha confirmed that the Foundation had opened two bank accounts to receive donations, as well as collection centers where donors can drop relief goods. The Foundation is ready to send teams to Iraq to supervise the distribution of goods. 10. (U) Bu Melha said that coordination with international organizations in Iraq began before the war. The Foundation stored 500 tons of dates and other foodstuff in mosques around Baghdad a month ago. Foundation officials had hoped that Coalition forces would not destroy mosques. Prior to the onset of hostilities, the Foundation made arrangements with relief agencies in Iraq to begin distributing some of these items -- more than 300 tons of dates have already been distributed, he told the press. 11. (U) In the northern emirate of Ajman, a 3-day fundraiser for Iraqi children started today as part of the "Funtasia 2003" festival. However, a children's festival in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah was cancelled today to express solidarity for the suffering of the Iraqi people. Wahba |