IRAQ GC AUGUST 17-18 VISIT TO ABU

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 003816

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/NGA, PM/PMAT, EB-IRAQ TASK FORCE, IO/UNP AND
NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/19/13
TAGS: PREL IZ TC
SUBJECT: IRAQ GC AUGUST 17-18 VISIT TO ABU
DHABI

Ref: Abu Dhabi 3771


1. (U) Classified by Charge d'Affaires, a.i.,
Richard Albright, for Reasons 1.5 (B) and (D).


2. (C) Summary: In the wake of the Iraqi
Governing Council's (GC) first visit to the UAE,
UAEG officials were cautiously optimistic that
the entire Arab world will eventually throw its
support behind the Iraqi people. For the time
being, the UAEG says it is prepared to lobby
diplomatically and publicly for the Iraqis,
especially targeting the Arab League where there
is still enmity toward the UAE dating back to
Sheikh Zayed's initiative calling on Saddam
Hussein to step down. This cable is based on
readouts of the visit. End summary.


3. (C) Information Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin
Zayed Al-Nahyan told Charge shortly after the
delegation had departed for Oman, the evening of
August 18, that the UAEG was pleased with the
talks, but continues to be disappointed with the
lack of support for the GC by some Arab
countries and the Arab League. Sh. Abdullah
pointedly noted that the GC has an official
invitation to visit Iran, which is more than can
be said of the Arab League and most Arab
countries.


4. (C) Prior to their arrival (see reftel),the
UAEG had promised a strong statement backing the
GC and continued UAE economic and humanitarian
support for Iraq. Following the visit, on
August 19, the Emirates News Agency released a
statement by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh
Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan saying that
President Zayed "had taught us that solidarity,
cooperation and helping out a brother in weal
and woe were the principles that should guide
the relationship between brothers." The
statement continued, "It is imperative on us to
support the Iraqi people and the Governing
Council's efforts out of desire to see Iraq
surmount the present state of affairs and build
a better future for its sons." Sh. Khalifa
stressed that the UAE, under the leadership of
Sheikh Zayed, would spare no efforts to stand by
the Iraqi people until they get over the
difficult times they are experiencing now. "The
UAE will back up the Governing Council in its
endeavor to bring security and stability to the
Iraqi people, form a national government, and
draft a constitution for the country."


5. (C) In a further readout of the visit, HbZ's
Office Director, Sultan Al-Romeithi, told
Polchief August 19 that the GC asked the UAEG
for its support to win the recognition of Arab
League states. "They need us to lobby for
them," and "We are going to go to the maximum on
this."


6. (C) Al-Romeithi acknowledged that one of his
country's main obstacles will be Arab League
Secretary General Amr Moussa. "We haven't been

SIPDIS
good friends with the Secretary General," he
said. "But we enjoy strong connections with
countries in the Arab League that could work
alongside us on this. Amr Moussa is not the one
who makes the calls." The fact that several
countries in the region o far, the UAE, Oman,
Bahrain ad welcomed the GC this week should
make a difference, Al-Romeithi said. "We were
trying to push others and it appears that they
followed in our tracks," he added.


7. (C) The IGC delegation consisted of Council
President, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Jafari, and five other
Council members. Flown in from Baghdad by the
Emiratis on August 17, the delegation was
greeted first by Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh
Sultan Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, then had a private
meeting with de facto Foreign Minister Sheikh
Hamdan Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (HbZ). Later in the
day, they met with the Iraqi community in Abu
Dhabi, a meeting described as positive by Al-
Romeithi. The following day, the GC met with
the Crown Prince, had lunch with HbZ, then met
with Sheikh Abdullah, and with the Minister of
Higher Education Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al-
Nahyan. The delegation was given a visit of
Zayed University. The meetings covered a wide
range of issues for existing and potential
cooperation between the two countries, including
education and infrastructure building, Al-
Romeithi told Polchief. The GC was to have met
with meetings in Dubai, but that portion of the
trip was canceled to fit in travel to Oman,
which was scheduled at the last minute.


8. (C) From the GC's perspective, the visit to the
UAE he first country on the itinerary as "the
cream" of the trip, Al-Romeithi said. Al-Jafari
was reportedly very appreciative of the UAE's
stance. In a statement, Al-Jafari said the GC was
keen to begin its Arab tour with a visit to the UAE
"which was at the top of countries that came to the
rescue of the Iraqi people." He and Sheikh Khalifa
both talked about solidarity and building bridges.
Al-Jafari also acknowledged the negative stands by
some Arab countries (referring to Syria, Egypt, and
Saudi Arabia),but expressed hope that Arabs will
support and sympathize with what the GC is trying
to accomplish.


9. (C) Polchief asked Al-Romeithi if the GC
delegation had any messages to pass on to the USG.
The GC did mention that they had had a good
exchange of views in meetings with Americans, and
that business was conducted in transparent fashion.
ALBRIGHT