SUPPORTING THE TRANSITION IN IRAQ; GC

S E C R E T ABU DHABI 003771 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/NGA, PM/PMAT, EB-IRAQ TASK FORCE, IO/UNP AND NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/15/13 TAGS: PREL IZ TC SUBJECT: SUPPORTING THE TRANSITION IN IRAQ; GC TO VISIT ABU DHABI Ref: State 238110 ¶1. (U) Classified by Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Richard Albright, for Reasons 1.5 (B) and (D). ¶2. (C) Summary: Charge discussed reftel points during a August 16 telcon with de facto Foreign Minister Shaykh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan that also included a discussion of an upcoming visit to the UAE by Iraq Governing Council (GC) President, Dr. Ebrahim Jafari and five GC members. The GC delegation, which will fly in aboard an Emirati flight from Baghdad, is scheduled to meet with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Shaykh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Shaykh Hamdan. HbZ promised a strong statement backing the Governing Council and continued UAE economic and humanitarian support in Iraq. End Summary. ¶3. (C) In response to reftel points encouraging UAEG support, and recognition of, the current political process in Iraq and Iraqi reconstruction, Sh. Hamdan affirmed his country's continuing commitment to Iraq. He noted the UAEG's ongoing humanitarian, medical, and transportation assistance. During the visit of the Governing Council, the UAEG will issue a public statement that is "stronger and clearer than those of Oman and Qatar recently." The statement will say that the UAEG strongly supports the Iraq GC. Hamdan told Charge that his government wishes the GC a "fruitful and successful visit." Their visit represents a "good step," he added. ¶4. (C) The UAEG's strong message in support of the GC should encourage other countries to follow suit, Hamdan said. He singled out "negative statements" made by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria. Hamdan expressed disappointment at the Arab League for not being more proactive in sending delegations to Baghdad to meet with the GC. Instead, he said, it is the Iranians who have sent delegation after delegation to Baghdad. "We think it should have been the other way around," he said. The Charge conveyed USG appreciation for the UAEG role in Iraq. ¶5. (S) In regard to Pakistan and Turkey, HbZ said the UAEG hoped they would participate and said he would look for appropriate opportunities to convey this message. ¶6. (SBU) Hamdan said he was delighted to learn that both Gulf Air and Emirates Airlines were selected to fill slots at Basra airport. This decision will not only be beneficial to the two airlines, but also to the Iraqi people, and will boost the level of economic exchange between the Gulf countries and Iraq. ALBRIGHT