TFIZ01 (EAC): ABU DHABI SITREP NO. 12, APRIL

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001571 SIPDIS NOFORN STATE FOR IRAQ TASK FORCE, NEA/EX, NEA/ARP, CA/OCS/NEASA/DS/DSS/ITA, DS/IP/NEA, DSERCC, AND M E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/08 TAGS: ASEC AMGT KHLS PTER PREL EAID PGOV TC KPAO, TC SUBJECT: TFIZ01 (EAC): ABU DHABI SITREP NO. 12, APRIL 1 REF: ABU DHABI 1527 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (U) Classified by DCM Richard A. Albright for Reasons 1.5 (B) and (D). -------------- General Overview -------------- ¶2. (U) COM convened Abu Dhabi's Iraq Task Force/Core Emergency Action Committee (EAC) at 1000 local time, Tuesday 4/1. Embassy Abu Dhabi, FCS (located outside of the Embassy compound),and the USGS office in Al Ain remain open with full staffing. -------------- UAEG Actions/Statements -------------- ¶3. (U) POL reported that the UAE Cabinet issued a public statement on 3/31 calling for an end to the war in Iraq as soon as possible, UN participation in finding a peaceful resolution, and preservation of Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Council of Ministers also expressed its concern for Iraqi citizens and continued support for Kuwait's security and stability. ¶4. (U) The wife of the Crown Prince of Ras Al-Khaimah publicly called for strong participation in an anti- war demonstration to be held in that northern emirate later today. -------------- Security -------------- ¶5. (C) RSO proposed general guidelines defining two limited movement modes for embassy personnel to be imposed in emergency situations: "move safe" and "stand fast". Information defining the two security modes and providing guidelines for implementation will be distributed to embassy personnel by Administrative Notice. CONS discussed warden message wording approved by CA to be used in connection with the implementation of each security mode. ¶6. (S/NF) RSO noted that on 3/31 the 24-hour uniformed policemen assigned to the AMB, DCM, ORCA Chief and PAO residences were replaced with CID plain clothes roving patrol. RSO and ORCA will consult with their counterparts to discuss the possibility of uniformed walking patrols for neighborhoods where embassy staff reside. -------------- Humanitarian Assistance -------------- ¶7. (U) On 4/1, the UAE Red Crescent Authority and Ministry of Education and Youth began a weeklong fundraising campaign in all UAE schools to benefit Iraqi war victims. -------------- Local Media -------------- ¶8. (U) The local press and TV reported heavily on the 4,000 volunteers traveling to Iraq to fight coalition forces and continue to highlight Iraqi civilian casualties. PAO remarked on subtle positive shifts in press coverage reflecting continued military progress by coalition forces. In addition to covering the current military action in Iraq, the press is also speculating heavily about governance in post-Saddam Iraq, including who will receive reconstruction contracts. ¶9. (U) Abu Dhabi Iraq Task Force/Core EAC will reconvene at 1000 local time, Wednesday 4/2. ¶10. (U) Iraq Task Force/Core EAC members in attendance included AMB, DCM, RSO, POL, ECON, CONS, PAO, ADMIN, DAO, USLO, P/M, FBI, OBO and MSG. WAHBA