UNCLAS ABU DHABI 002351

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER TC
SUBJECT: REORGANIZATION OF THE IRAQI MFA AND RECALL
OF COM

REFS: A) STATE 126507, B) ABU DHABI 1986,
C) ABU DHABI 1788, D) ABU DHABI 1786
E) ABU DHABI 1599

(SBU) Charge delivered reftel points on reorganization
of the Iraqi MFA, recall of Iraqi COM and disposition
of Iraqi missions to MFA Assistant Under Secretary for
Political Affairs, Abdullah Rashed al-Nuaimi on May

14. Recalling earlier discussions (refs B-E),
Abdullah Rashed replied that the UAEG had not taken
control of the Iraqi mission in the UAE as it had
taken over supervision of the Rafidain Bank. Noting
that this was in interim period as far as legal
authority in Iraq was concerned, he stated that the
UAEG would like to have some reference for taking
action with regard to Iraqi diplomatic facilities.
Charge replied that the steps being requested had been
communicated by the Iraqi MFA to Iraqi missions.
Abdullah Rashed suggested that it would be helpful for
the Iraqi MFA to communicate directly with host
governments regarding status of Iraqi missions and
noted that the UAE Embassy was functioning in Baghdad.
Charge replied that we were communicating on behalf of
the Iraqi MFA because it was constrained in its
ability to communicate with governments after having
instructed its diplomatic personnel abroad to cease
all diplomatic and consular activities. Abdullah
Rashed undertook to study the request and get back to
us.
ALBRIGHT