Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ABUDHABI3963
2004-11-03 11:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
Sheikh Zayed Funeral: Logistics and Embassy Public
how-tonull Diana T Fritz 02/05/2007 04:49:59 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results Cable Text: UNCLAS ABU DHABI 03963 SIPDIS CXABU: ACTION: POL INFO: USLO RSO AMB DCM MEPI CONS MGT DAO P/M ECON DISSEMINATION: POL CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: AMB: MSISON DRAFTED: ECON: MLUNA CLEARED: DCM, ECON, POL, CGD, CONS, PAO, RSO, DAO, PROTOCOL VZCZCADI889 OO RUEHC RUEKJCS RHEHNSC DE RUEHAD #3963/01 3081152 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 031152Z NOV 04 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6642 INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 003963
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV CASC OTRA PREL TC
SUBJECT: Sheikh Zayed Funeral: Logistics and Embassy Public
Announcement
Ref: Abu Dhabi 3957
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 003963
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV CASC OTRA PREL TC
SUBJECT: Sheikh Zayed Funeral: Logistics and Embassy Public
Announcement
Ref: Abu Dhabi 3957
1. Summary: The UAE is responding to the death of President
Zayed with a 40-day mourning period (through December 12).
The government will be closed from November 3 until November
20 (counting both mourning and the Eid Al-Fitr),and private
businesses will be closed through Friday, November 5. Abu
Dhabi Ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan will receive
condolences for 3 days from November 3 to November 5.
Public Announcement contained paragraph 6. End Summary
Burial and Condolences (November 3-November 5)
-------------- -
2. President Zayed's funeral took place on November 3, with
family and regional leaders in attendance (including King
Abdullah of Jordan, King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of
Bahrain, President Karzai of Afghanistan, President
Musharraf of Pakistan, President Sheikh Ghazi Al-Yawar of
Iraq, President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika of Algeria, President
Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen, President Emile Lahud of
Lebanon, President Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan, President Bashar
Al-Asad of Syria, Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Ibn
Saud of Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
of Kuwait). Overseas delegations will begin condolence
calls on Abu Dhabi Ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan
starting November 3 at 8:00 pm for three days. Visitors
making condolence calls on Sheikh Khalifa will enter the
reception hall (majlis) and shake hands with Sheikh Khalifa
and male members of the family. VIP delegations are likely
to sit for a few minutes to express condolences and then
leave. Delegation should not expect to be able to conduct
official "side meetings" with anyone in the UAEG for this 3-
day period. The UAEG will be granting visas at the airport
for official delegations coming to pay condolence calls.
3. Post recommends that U.S. cabinet members address any
written condolence messages to their counterparts as
appropriate. We recommend that these be sent through the
U.S. Embassy. We will translate and pass them to MFA
protocol, which will forward the messages.
Government Closed for Business (November 3 - November 20)
-------------- --------------
4. The UAEG and local emirate governments will be closed for
mourning (Nov. 3-12) and Eid (Nov. 13-20). During this UAEG
closure period it will be difficult to conduct all but the
most urgent and critical business. We will not be able to
schedule meetings with the UAEG during this time, so post
requests that official travelers defer travel until after
November 20. In addition, private businesses will be closed
from November 3 to 6.
Official Mourning Period (November 3 - December 13)
-------------- --------------
5. The UAE will observe 40 days of official mourning through
December 12. We expect the private sector and the
government will resume normal operations after the end of
the closure periods listed in paragraph 4 and will receive
visitors. Emiratis will not hold large-scale events,
parties, or receptions during this period of time, nor will
the Embassy.
Public Announcement
--------------
6. CA approved Post's initial public announcement of
November 2 (see reftel). Public announcement below replaces
the initial public announcement with additional details, and
it will be disseminated through our warden network and
published on our Web site.
Begin Text: Public Announcement
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan
passed away November 2, 2004. The Government of the United
Arab Emirates has announced a 40-day period of official
mourning and closure of UAE Government offices and
institutions from Wednesday, November 3 through Wednesday
November 10. Government offices will also close from
November 13 through November 17 in observance of the Islamic
holiday of Eid al Fitr. During these periods of government
closure, American citizens considering travel to the United
Arab Emirates cannot expect to do business with UAE
government offices or officials.
The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in
Dubai extend their heartfelt condolences to the people and
Government of the United Arab Emirates. Embassy Abu Dhabi
and Consulate General Dubai will be closed to the public
from Wednesday, November 3 through Sunday, November 7.
During this period, the Embassy and Consulate General will
continue to provide emergency consular services. In
observance of the U.S. Veteran's Day holiday and the Eid al
Fitr, the Embassy and Consulate General will also be closed
Saturday, November 13 through Monday November 15. During
this period, Embassy Abu Dhabi and Consulate General Dubai
will continue to provide emergency consular services.
Emergency Services for U.S. Citizens
For emergencies in the Abu Dhabi Emirate Americans can
contact the Embassy in Abu Dhabi by calling 02-414-2200.
For emergencies in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Americans
can contact the Consulate General in Dubai by calling 050-
645-8773.
Immigrant Visas
Persons who have appointments for Immigrant Visas at the
Embassy on the following days will have their appointments
re-scheduled according to the following dates:
Wednesday, November 03 rescheduled for Sunday,
November 21
Saturday, November 06 rescheduled for Sunday,
November 28
Sunday, November 07 rescheduled for Tuesday,
November 30
Non-immigrant Visas
Appointments for non-immigrant visas will not be available
from Saturday, November 6 through Sunday, November 7 and
from Saturday, November 13 through Tuesday, November 16.
Residents of Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah and
Umm al Quwain with previously scheduled appointments will
have to reschedule by calling Emirates Call at 9000-2900 to
make a new appointment. Residents of Dubai, Sharjah and Iran
with previously scheduled appointments should call Bahrain
Call at (00) 973-90000-797 to make a new appointment.
For further information, please monitor the Embassy's and
Consulate General's websites at
http://usembassy.state.gov/uae and
http://dubai.usconsulate.gov
End Text
Sison
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV CASC OTRA PREL TC
SUBJECT: Sheikh Zayed Funeral: Logistics and Embassy Public
Announcement
Ref: Abu Dhabi 3957
1. Summary: The UAE is responding to the death of President
Zayed with a 40-day mourning period (through December 12).
The government will be closed from November 3 until November
20 (counting both mourning and the Eid Al-Fitr),and private
businesses will be closed through Friday, November 5. Abu
Dhabi Ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan will receive
condolences for 3 days from November 3 to November 5.
Public Announcement contained paragraph 6. End Summary
Burial and Condolences (November 3-November 5)
-------------- -
2. President Zayed's funeral took place on November 3, with
family and regional leaders in attendance (including King
Abdullah of Jordan, King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of
Bahrain, President Karzai of Afghanistan, President
Musharraf of Pakistan, President Sheikh Ghazi Al-Yawar of
Iraq, President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika of Algeria, President
Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen, President Emile Lahud of
Lebanon, President Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan, President Bashar
Al-Asad of Syria, Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Ibn
Saud of Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
of Kuwait). Overseas delegations will begin condolence
calls on Abu Dhabi Ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan
starting November 3 at 8:00 pm for three days. Visitors
making condolence calls on Sheikh Khalifa will enter the
reception hall (majlis) and shake hands with Sheikh Khalifa
and male members of the family. VIP delegations are likely
to sit for a few minutes to express condolences and then
leave. Delegation should not expect to be able to conduct
official "side meetings" with anyone in the UAEG for this 3-
day period. The UAEG will be granting visas at the airport
for official delegations coming to pay condolence calls.
3. Post recommends that U.S. cabinet members address any
written condolence messages to their counterparts as
appropriate. We recommend that these be sent through the
U.S. Embassy. We will translate and pass them to MFA
protocol, which will forward the messages.
Government Closed for Business (November 3 - November 20)
-------------- --------------
4. The UAEG and local emirate governments will be closed for
mourning (Nov. 3-12) and Eid (Nov. 13-20). During this UAEG
closure period it will be difficult to conduct all but the
most urgent and critical business. We will not be able to
schedule meetings with the UAEG during this time, so post
requests that official travelers defer travel until after
November 20. In addition, private businesses will be closed
from November 3 to 6.
Official Mourning Period (November 3 - December 13)
-------------- --------------
5. The UAE will observe 40 days of official mourning through
December 12. We expect the private sector and the
government will resume normal operations after the end of
the closure periods listed in paragraph 4 and will receive
visitors. Emiratis will not hold large-scale events,
parties, or receptions during this period of time, nor will
the Embassy.
Public Announcement
--------------
6. CA approved Post's initial public announcement of
November 2 (see reftel). Public announcement below replaces
the initial public announcement with additional details, and
it will be disseminated through our warden network and
published on our Web site.
Begin Text: Public Announcement
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan
passed away November 2, 2004. The Government of the United
Arab Emirates has announced a 40-day period of official
mourning and closure of UAE Government offices and
institutions from Wednesday, November 3 through Wednesday
November 10. Government offices will also close from
November 13 through November 17 in observance of the Islamic
holiday of Eid al Fitr. During these periods of government
closure, American citizens considering travel to the United
Arab Emirates cannot expect to do business with UAE
government offices or officials.
The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in
Dubai extend their heartfelt condolences to the people and
Government of the United Arab Emirates. Embassy Abu Dhabi
and Consulate General Dubai will be closed to the public
from Wednesday, November 3 through Sunday, November 7.
During this period, the Embassy and Consulate General will
continue to provide emergency consular services. In
observance of the U.S. Veteran's Day holiday and the Eid al
Fitr, the Embassy and Consulate General will also be closed
Saturday, November 13 through Monday November 15. During
this period, Embassy Abu Dhabi and Consulate General Dubai
will continue to provide emergency consular services.
Emergency Services for U.S. Citizens
For emergencies in the Abu Dhabi Emirate Americans can
contact the Embassy in Abu Dhabi by calling 02-414-2200.
For emergencies in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Americans
can contact the Consulate General in Dubai by calling 050-
645-8773.
Immigrant Visas
Persons who have appointments for Immigrant Visas at the
Embassy on the following days will have their appointments
re-scheduled according to the following dates:
Wednesday, November 03 rescheduled for Sunday,
November 21
Saturday, November 06 rescheduled for Sunday,
November 28
Sunday, November 07 rescheduled for Tuesday,
November 30
Non-immigrant Visas
Appointments for non-immigrant visas will not be available
from Saturday, November 6 through Sunday, November 7 and
from Saturday, November 13 through Tuesday, November 16.
Residents of Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah and
Umm al Quwain with previously scheduled appointments will
have to reschedule by calling Emirates Call at 9000-2900 to
make a new appointment. Residents of Dubai, Sharjah and Iran
with previously scheduled appointments should call Bahrain
Call at (00) 973-90000-797 to make a new appointment.
For further information, please monitor the Embassy's and
Consulate General's websites at
http://usembassy.state.gov/uae and
http://dubai.usconsulate.gov
End Text
Sison