UAE WELCOMES IRAQ TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 002070 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL IZ TC SUBJECT: UAE WELCOMES IRAQ TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT REF: STATE 79107 ¶1. (U) The UAE Cabinet of Ministers issued a statement May 9 welcoming the Iraq Transitional Government (ITG). The statement, which was carried in the Arabic and English press May 10, said that the UAE hailed the final composition of the Iraq government and hoped that this latest political development would usher in a new period of stability that would allow the government to carry out its duties, particularly the drafting of a new constitution. The cabinet reiterated that it would stand by Iraq in whatever endeavor that might help it recuperate, regain its regional, Arab, and international role, and safeguard its territorial integrity. ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador had delivered reftel points to Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan May 8 urging the UAEG to make an official statement welcoming the ITG (septel). SISON