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