(C) UAE LETTER CONFIRMS ZAYED CENTER CHANGES

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 003722 SIPDIS NSC FOR AMB ELIOT ABRAMS NEA/FO AND NEA/APR E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/08 TAGS: PREL PGOV TC SUBJECT: (C) UAE LETTER CONFIRMS ZAYED CENTER CHANGES REFS: ABU DHABI 3617 ¶1. (U) Classified by CDA Richard A. Albright, for reason 1.5 (D). ¶2. (C) Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Director General, Office of His Highness the President sent the following letter dated August 6 (received at Embassy August 12, 2003) to Ambassador Wahba in response to the her letter of July 29, ¶2003. Begin Text: H.E. Marcelle M. Wahba Ambassador Embassy of the United States of American Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Your Excellency, Thank you for your letter of July 29, 2003, in which you raised a number of issues concerning the activities of the Zayed International Center for Coordination and Follow-up, Abu Dhabi. These issues have been given due consideration and His Highness President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has asked me to convey his apologies for any misunderstanding that the Center's activities may have inadvertently contributed to. We would like to assure you that the Center does not represent the Government of the UAE or its people. Neither does the Center represent the thoughts or views of His Highness the President, who strives to promote co-existence, cooperation and dialogue among nations, regardless of color, race or religion. He encourages free practice of beliefs without any coercion or pressure. As you are aware, His Highness the President has sponsored, and continues to support, humanitarian and educational initiatives around the world which help bring about greater tolerance and understanding among its peoples. The endowment to the Divinity School at Harvard University is just one example. In this context, we would like to inform you that appropriate measures have been taken in relation to the activities of the Center in order to ensure that such forums remain focused on its informational and educational objectives but do not become embroiled in controversies that adversely affect the reputation and standing of the UAE and its people, without infringing on the principles of freedom of speech and through which both our countries uphold. We appreciate your understanding of the issues and your role in enhancing the growing bilateral relationship and cooperation between our two friendly countries. Please accept our highest regards. Yours sincerely, Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Director-General Office of H.H. the President End Text. ALBRIGHT