UAEG RESPONDS TO U.S. PROPOSALS FOR THE 2003

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 002631 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EB/CIP FOR AJILLSON AND IO/T DEPT PASS NTIA AND FCC E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/03/08 TAGS: ECPS AORC TC SUBJECT: UAEG RESPONDS TO U.S. PROPOSALS FOR THE 2003 WORLD RADIOCOMMUNICATION CONFERENCE (WRC-03) REF: STATE 145955 ¶1. (U) Classified by Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Thomas ¶E. Williams for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶2. (U) This cable contains an action request; please see paragraph 7. ¶3. (C) Summary: Econoff delivered ref demarche 6/1 to UAE Ministry of Communications Undersecretary Abdullah Ahmed Lootah, and met with Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company International Affairs Manager Mohamed Al-Ghanim to further discuss the U.S. proposals for WRC-03. Al-Ghanim confirmed that the UAE, through its participation in the Arab Common Proposal, is likely to support all of the U.S. proposals except for Agenda Item 1.24. He also confirmed that Undersecretary Lootah would head the UAE delegation to WRC-03, which will consist of representatives from Thuraya, UAE monopoly telecom provider Etisalat, UAE media outlets, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Telecom Office. End summary. ¶4. (C) Although the Arab countries are still fine-tuning the Arab Common Proposal for WRC-03 -- the salient points of which appear on ITU's website -- Al-Ghanim outlined for Econoff the UAE's position regarding the U.S. proposals, and speculated as to how each debate would be resolved. He said that both the UAE and the Arab Common Proposal would support the United States on Agenda Item 1.5 on Radars And High Density Fixed And Mobile Services In The 5 GHz Band, and Agenda Item 1.26 on Earth Stations On Vessels (ESVs), although Al-Ghanim admitted that most countries will be reluctant to sign any treaty that measures unregulated use of ESVs from the "normal baseline" described in UNCLOS ¶1982. He mentioned that Syria continues to insist that each administration should determine its own point of measurement. ¶5. (C) Al-Ghanim stated that Agenda Item 1.24 on Allowing Commercial Fixed Satellite Service More Access Into The 13.75-14.0 GhZ Band is very controversial, but is the most important item for both the Arab countries (because of Arabsat) and the United States. Our interlocutor admitted that he is burdened by his responsibility to coordinate the Arab countries' position on Agenda Item 1.24, which is "very political." The UAE and Thuraya, furthermore, do not have a direct interest in Agenda Item 1.24, but Al-Ghanim hopes to find a middle-ground among the Arab countries. He has heard from his EU colleagues that a number of European countries will abandon the EU position on 1.24 and support either the U.S. or Arab proposal. ¶6. (C) Agenda Item 1.31 on Additional Allocations To The Mobile Satellite Service In The 1-3 Ghz Band is one of the few topics in which the UAE -- and Thuraya, in particular - - has a direct interest. The L Band spectrum that Thuraya currently uses is nearing saturation, and the company's future depends on allocation of a different band. Thuraya has lobbied for MMS spectrum allocation since WRC-97, and Al-Ghanim noted that WRC-03 is the company's last shot until the next WRC in 2007. If Thuraya is permitted to use MMS spectrum, it is likely that Boeing would build the third Thuraya satellite to use this spectrum. Al-Ghanim said that 17 of the 22 member countries have agreed to support allocation of MMS into regions 1 and 3 at the WRC- ¶03. The Emirati official acknowledged that the FCC could block approval of the proposal, but Thuraya believes it has received assurances from DoD that the USG will support the UAE's initiative. ¶7. (C) Comment and action request: Al-Ghanim is a very competent technocrat and negotiator, having graduated from Etisalat Technical College several years ago. He is an Etisalat officer, seconded to Thuraya specifically for the purpose of coordinating the Arab Common Proposal for WRC- ¶03. Al-Ghanim asked Post to relay the message that the UAE delegation would like to meet with U.S. officials in Geneva just prior to, or at the beginning of, WRC-03. He said "there are a lot of issues to work out with the U.S. team in advance." Such a meeting may provide an opportunity for the U.S. delegates to seek concessions from the Emiratis on Agenda Items 1.24 and 1.31. Post would appreciate any guidance that we could pass to our interlocutor regarding the possibility for such a meeting. End comment and action request. Wahba