UAE SIGNS UP FOR CORE GROUP ON IRAQ

S E C R E T ABU DHABI 001826 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/FO, NEA/NGA AND NEA/ARP STATE ALSO FOR PRM/ANE CENTCOM FOR POLAD AMBASSADOR LITT NSC FOR ABRAMS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/13 TAGS: EAID EFIN PREL ECON PGOV IZ TC SUBJECT: UAE SIGNS UP FOR CORE GROUP ON IRAQ STABILIZATION AND RECONSTRUCTION REF: A) ABU DHABI 1667, B) STATE 80809, C) ABU DHABI 1508 ¶1. (U) CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR MARCELLE M. WAHBA FOR REASONS 1.5 (B,D). ¶2. (S) MFA Minstate Hamdan bin Zayid told the Ambassador 4/16 that the Cabinet had approved UAE participation in the "core group" for Iraq stabilization and reconstruction outlined ref b. Shaykh Hamdan noted that the UAE -- with a modern, diversified economy -- sees itself as a good role model for Iraq and hopes to be able to play a significant role in Iraq reconstruction. To that end, the UAEG has established, under Hamdan's authority, an interagency committee (comprising the agencies responsible for energy, transportation, commerce, telecommunications, electricity and agriculture) to promote UAE involvement in the rebuilding of Iraq. The MFA Minstate added that the UAE hopes it will be considered a "preferred partner" in those activities, since the Emirates has solid expertise to offer and may carry less political baggage with the Iraqis than other Arab states. Shaykh Hamdan requested more information regarding the role of the "core group" and what precisely will be expected of the UAEG. ¶3. (S) Comment: It appears the Emiratis may see participation in the core group through the lens of burnishing their own credentials as a "preferred partner" for Iraq reconstruction -- with the attendant contracts and associated business activity it is hoped such status will bring. We would note that the UAE has never demanded any explicit quid pro quo for its support for Operation Iraqi Freedom, but there is clearly an unstated assumption on their part that we will look favorably upon them as contracts are awarded. Given their sustained support for the coalition effort, and their world-class expertise (particularly in the telecommunications, civil aviation, petroleum sectors and shipping),we hope that opportunities will present themselves for the Emiratis to play the sort of role that they desire. Their influence on an emergent Iraqi government can only be positive. Wahba