Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ABUDHABI2062
2004-06-22 14:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

UAE CROWN PRINCE ADVISOR ON SAUDI INSTABILITY,

Tags:  PREL PGOV TC 
pdf how-to read a cable
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Diana T Fritz 02/06/2007 05:34:24 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results

Cable 
Text: 
 
 
CONFIDENTIAL

SIPDIS
TELEGRAM June 22, 2004


To: No Action Addressee 

Action: Unknown 

From: AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI (ABU DHABI 2062 - ROUTINE) 

TAGS: PREL, PGOV 

Captions: None 

Subject: UAE CROWN PRINCE ADVISOR ON SAUDI INSTABILITY, HANDLING
 EXTREMISTS, BROADENING POLITICAL PARTICIPATION 

Ref: None 
_________________________________________________________________
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 02062

SIPDIS
CXABU:
 ACTION: POL 
 INFO: RSO DCM P/M AMB ECON 

DISSEMINATION: POL
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: CDA:RAALBRIGHT
DRAFTED: POL:JFMAYBURY
CLEARED: NONE

VZCZCADI521
RR RUEHC RUEHZM RUEHDE
DE RUEHAD #2062/01 1741406
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 221406Z JUN 04
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4825
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 4082
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 002062 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2009
TAGS: PREL PGOV TC
SUBJECT: UAE CROWN PRINCE ADVISOR ON SAUDI INSTABILITY,
HANDLING EXTREMISTS, BROADENING POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

Ref: (A) Abu Dhabi 1766, (B) 03 Abu Dhabi 3146

Classified by Richard A. Albright, Charge d'Affaires,
a.i., reasons
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 002062

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2009
TAGS: PREL PGOV TC
SUBJECT: UAE CROWN PRINCE ADVISOR ON SAUDI INSTABILITY,
HANDLING EXTREMISTS, BROADENING POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

Ref: (A) Abu Dhabi 1766, (B) 03 Abu Dhabi 3146

Classified by Richard A. Albright, Charge d'Affaires,
a.i., reasons 1. 5 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador met on June 14 with
Mohamed Habroush Al-Suweidi, chairman of the National
Bank of Abu Dhabi and close advisor to the Al-Nahyan
ruling family. Their discussion covered the uncertain
security situation in Saudi Arabia and its
repercussions in the UAE, the disparities between the
Northern Emirates and the wealthy emirates of Abu Dhabi
and Dubai, the UAE's handling of extremists within its
borders, and expanding the bounds of political
participation in the UAE. End Summary.

Saudi security situation and repercussions in the UAE
-------------- --------------


2. (C) Habroush, who wields considerable political
power behind the scenes through his close relationship
with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Shaykh Khalifa and his
membership on the Executive and Supreme Petroleum
Councils of Abu Dhabi, said that the UAE is very
concerned about the situation in Saudi Arabia. He said
further deterioration in the Kingdom's security
situation would have major repercussions on the UAE,
with Saudis fleeing to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The longer
term political implications are far more serious, he
warned. Habroush argued that the Saudis need to act
swiftly - even if it means borrowing from the banks --
to at least provide the basic material needs for the
many disaffected and unemployed Saudis. This should be
the Saudis' first priority, he continued, because under
Islam, the person who goes hungry or homeless is not
bound by any of the rules. There is no excuse for the
Saudi ruling family not to act immediately to provide
the basic material needs of their poorer subjects, he
said. The national dialogue on reform and women's
issues is important, but it cannot become the only
movement in Saudi Arabia. "It is not enough to talk.
They must act on the basic human needs and continue to
talk about the broader social and political reform,"
Habroush said.

Northern Emirates lagging behind Abu Dhabi and Dubai
-------------- --------------


3. (C) The Ambassador commented on the standard of

living gap between the northern Emirates and the
wealthier emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai and asked
Habroush if that worried the rulers in light of events
in Saudi Arabia. He said that the federal government
(meaning decision-makers in Abu Dhabi) would have to
play a larger role in improving the livelihood of the
northern Emirates, especially Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman,
and Fujairah. He said Abu Dhabi is already
accomplishing a lot in Fujairah, citing the
desalinization project as one of the ways to generate
employment opportunities and pump money into the local
economy. Shaykh Saud in Ras Al Khaimah is working
diligently to attract projects to that Emirate and to
improve education. Abu Dhabi is supporting him as
well, but Habroush added that "we need to do more for
the northern Emirates because it is in our interest to
do so."

Extremists in the UAE and how to handle them
--------------


4. (C) The Ambassador inquired whether Habroush
believed there was a growing presence of extremists in
the UAE, and whether he thought the authorities were
handling them effectively. He said that the UAE has
the luxury of having a fairly open and tolerant society
where extremist thinking has not flourished.
Nevertheless, he said it is important to remain
vigilant and weed out those who have the capacity to
lead others in a negative direction. Because of the
small size of the UAE population (4 million) and the
very strong tribal and family bonds, it is important
that the UAEG address the extremist element in a quiet
and effective manner rather than in a heavy-handed way
that could create more enemies. "Some of the younger
people believe we need to be heavy-handed with anyone
showing extremist tendencies, but we advise against
that because, as we have seen in other countries, you
create more enemies that way."


5. (C) (Comment: Habroush was clearly alluding to some
within the ruling family circle in Abu Dhabi who are
advocating for a more robust response to the extremists
they identify. When the Ambassador discussed this with
Abu Dhabi Deputy Crown Prince and Chief of Staff of the
UAE Armed Forces Shaykh Mohammed bin Zayed (ref A),he
had told her that there were ongoing consultations on
how best to handle the Muslim Brotherhood activists
identified in civilian positions, and that no final
decisions had been made. We can assume Habroush is
advocating with Crown Prince Khalifa and others to
handle these extremists carefully through the tribal
and clan structure, and not through harsher methods,
which is what MbZ advocated for those he identified
within the military. End Comment.)

Political participation
--------------


6. (C) As we reported a year ago (ref B),Habroush is
one of those high-ranking Emiratis who believes that it
is time for political openness in the UAE, through some
form of elected or appointed Federal National Council,
to give a voice to the people in the direction of the
country. He also mentioned the need for "more
transparency in budget decisions and clearer lines
between the 'public purse' and the 'private ruling
family' purse. People need to know how their country's
resources are being spent."
ALBRIGHT