Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ABUDHABI5289
2003-12-15 12:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
how-toO 151253Z DEC 03 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2690 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/HQ COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTH BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 005289
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/NGA AND NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/13
TAGS: PREL IZ TC
SUBJECT: SADDAM'S CAPTURE - UAEG REACTION
Classified by Ambassador Marcelle M. Wahba, Reasons
1.5 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 005289
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/NGA AND NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/13
TAGS: PREL IZ TC
SUBJECT: SADDAM'S CAPTURE - UAEG REACTION
Classified by Ambassador Marcelle M. Wahba, Reasons
1.5 (b) and (d).
1. (U) UAE officialdom reacted positively to
Saddam's capture. In an official statement
released December 15, UAE President Shaykh Zayed
expressed the hope that Iraq will witness a new era
of stability and security in which its national
unity and territorial integrity will be preserved.
"Iraq has been relieved of a heavy burden and this
will enable it to move forward to a new era where
there will be no despotism, oppression, and fear,
and none of the practices that destroyed Iraq over
recent decades, causing serious damage to the whole
of the Arab and Islamic nations," the statement
read.
2. (U) Zayed continued, "I hope that the recent
developments in Iraq will contribute to the
restoration of stability and peace in that country,
and will prove to be a stepping-stone that will
permit the Iraqi people to unify their ranks and to
strengthen their national reconciliation, giving
priority, above all else, to that which will foster
the unity of Iraq as a country and as a people,
working hand-in-hand for a bright future."
3. (C) Deputy Prime Minister and de facto Foreign
Minister Shaykh Hamdan bin Zayed told the
Ambassador on December 14 that the capture was
significant and a positive outcome. Capturing
Saddam alive was better for the Iraqis, he said,
because they now have a chance to bring him to
trial. Shaykh Hamdan said he hoped to hear similar
news about Al Qaida leaders Osama bin Laden and
Ayman Al-Zawahiri.
4. (U) The Emirati press also reacted positively to
Saddam's capture, with the English daily Gulf News
describing the event as an opportunity to start
afresh, to end the phase of armed resistance to the
coalition, and to move ahead with rebuilding a new
Iraq based on the will of the people as expressed
freely and without coercion.
WAHBA
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/NGA AND NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/13
TAGS: PREL IZ TC
SUBJECT: SADDAM'S CAPTURE - UAEG REACTION
Classified by Ambassador Marcelle M. Wahba, Reasons
1.5 (b) and (d).
1. (U) UAE officialdom reacted positively to
Saddam's capture. In an official statement
released December 15, UAE President Shaykh Zayed
expressed the hope that Iraq will witness a new era
of stability and security in which its national
unity and territorial integrity will be preserved.
"Iraq has been relieved of a heavy burden and this
will enable it to move forward to a new era where
there will be no despotism, oppression, and fear,
and none of the practices that destroyed Iraq over
recent decades, causing serious damage to the whole
of the Arab and Islamic nations," the statement
read.
2. (U) Zayed continued, "I hope that the recent
developments in Iraq will contribute to the
restoration of stability and peace in that country,
and will prove to be a stepping-stone that will
permit the Iraqi people to unify their ranks and to
strengthen their national reconciliation, giving
priority, above all else, to that which will foster
the unity of Iraq as a country and as a people,
working hand-in-hand for a bright future."
3. (C) Deputy Prime Minister and de facto Foreign
Minister Shaykh Hamdan bin Zayed told the
Ambassador on December 14 that the capture was
significant and a positive outcome. Capturing
Saddam alive was better for the Iraqis, he said,
because they now have a chance to bring him to
trial. Shaykh Hamdan said he hoped to hear similar
news about Al Qaida leaders Osama bin Laden and
Ayman Al-Zawahiri.
4. (U) The Emirati press also reacted positively to
Saddam's capture, with the English daily Gulf News
describing the event as an opportunity to start
afresh, to end the phase of armed resistance to the
coalition, and to move ahead with rebuilding a new
Iraq based on the will of the people as expressed
freely and without coercion.
WAHBA