Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ABUDHABI4179
2004-11-22 11:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
how-tonull Diana T Fritz 02/05/2007 04:04:32 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results Cable Text: UNCLAS ABU DHABI 04179 SIPDIS CXABU: ACTION: PAO INFO: DCM ECON POL AMB DISSEMINATION: PAO CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: DCM:RALBRIGHT DRAFTED: PAO:HOLSIN-WINDECKER CLEARED: NONE VZCZCADI576 RR RUEHC RUEHZM DE RUEHAD #4179 3271131 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 221131Z NOV 04 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6858 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 004179
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/PPD, NEA/ARP AND IIP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO TC
SUBJECT: CHIEF OF ABU DHABI TELEVISION FIRED
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 004179
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/PPD, NEA/ARP AND IIP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO TC
SUBJECT: CHIEF OF ABU DHABI TELEVISION FIRED
1. (U) The chief of Abu Dhabi Television (ADTV) was removed from
his post after the station resumed normal programming sooner than
appropriate during the official mourning period for the death of
the late president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Ahmed Ali
Al Baloushi was in charge of Abu Dhabi TV in his capacity as
Director-General of Emirates Media Inc. (EMI) and has been asked
to "stay at home." The Minister of Information and Culture
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, one of the late president's
sons, was quoted in the English language Khaleej Times on Nov. 13
as saying that the decision was taken following a certain
"blunder." Ali Al Ahmed, director of ADTV, has been appointed as
acting director-general of EMI. The Khaleej Times was the only
local paper that covered the story.
2. (SBU) Sources told the embassy that Al Baloushi was supposed
to coordinate the return to normal programming with Dubai TV
sometime after the three day period during which all private
businesses were closed (public sector was closed until November
20). Instead, ADTV went on the air a day before it had been
agreed upon, embarrassing the Abu Dhabi leadership. Coming on
the heels of a financial fiasco in which ADTV reportedly overpaid
by millions of dirhams to produce several entertainment shows
rather than buying canned product, the slight to the emiri family
reportedly enraged Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, who ordered Al
Baloushi's departure.
SISON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/PPD, NEA/ARP AND IIP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO TC
SUBJECT: CHIEF OF ABU DHABI TELEVISION FIRED
1. (U) The chief of Abu Dhabi Television (ADTV) was removed from
his post after the station resumed normal programming sooner than
appropriate during the official mourning period for the death of
the late president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Ahmed Ali
Al Baloushi was in charge of Abu Dhabi TV in his capacity as
Director-General of Emirates Media Inc. (EMI) and has been asked
to "stay at home." The Minister of Information and Culture
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, one of the late president's
sons, was quoted in the English language Khaleej Times on Nov. 13
as saying that the decision was taken following a certain
"blunder." Ali Al Ahmed, director of ADTV, has been appointed as
acting director-general of EMI. The Khaleej Times was the only
local paper that covered the story.
2. (SBU) Sources told the embassy that Al Baloushi was supposed
to coordinate the return to normal programming with Dubai TV
sometime after the three day period during which all private
businesses were closed (public sector was closed until November
20). Instead, ADTV went on the air a day before it had been
agreed upon, embarrassing the Abu Dhabi leadership. Coming on
the heels of a financial fiasco in which ADTV reportedly overpaid
by millions of dirhams to produce several entertainment shows
rather than buying canned product, the slight to the emiri family
reportedly enraged Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, who ordered Al
Baloushi's departure.
SISON