UAE APPROVES IOM OVERSEAS VOTER PROGRAM FOR IRAQIS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000035

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/02/2015
TAGS: PREL KDEM IZ TC
SUBJECT: UAE APPROVES IOM OVERSEAS VOTER PROGRAM FOR IRAQIS

REF: 04 ABU DHABI 4714

(U) Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (U) The UAE and the International Organization for
Migration (IOM) signed a memorandum of understanding January
2 in Abu Dhabi allowing Iraqi expatriates living in the UAE
and other Gulf countries to take part in the January 30 Iraqi
elections. The agreement covers all aspects of the
Out-of-Country Voter (OCC) program promised by IOM (see
reftel). The MOU, which is valid for three months, was
signed by Mohammed Al Nasiri, director of the Iraqi Voting
Program at the IOM, and MFA Under Secretary Abdullah Rashid
Al Noaimi.


2. (U) The MOU establishing an OCV program does the
following:

-- establishes two voting centers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai,
staffed by international, Iraqi, and local officials. These
officials will have freedom to operate.

-- exempts equipment imported for use in the elections from
any fees or customs duties.

-- UAE and IOM will adopt necessary procedures to ensure
confidentiality and impartiality of voters and the voting

SIPDIS
process, without UAEG political interference.

-- international and Iraqi observers and voters,
representatives coming to observe the election will receive
visas.

-- UAE will provide protection for voting centers and for
international, Iraqi, and local observers.

-- UAE will adopt all necessary procedures to ensure an
election environment free from any violence, threat or
coercion.

-- UAE agrees to cooperate with IOM to make information on
elections available to Iraqis living in the UAE
(approximately 50,000 by Iraqi Embassy estimates).


3. (C) In their official pronouncements, as well as in
private meetings with Emboffs, UAE officials have indicated
full support for the Iraqi people and the Iraqi Interim
Government,s decision to go forward with the elections as
scheduled. Tariq Al Haidan, MFA Assistant Under Secretary
for Political Affairs, told Pol Chief December 29 that there
would be no change in the UAEG,s policy toward Iraq and the
elections. &We will accept every Iraqi and we want to help
as much as we can, from issuing visas for them to get here to
providing security for them to vote,8 he said.


4. (U) The Embassy,s Iraqi contacts have expressed mixed
feelings about the upcoming elections. Some say that
adhering to the January 30 elections timetable is essential,
and that not doing so would be tantamount to surrendering to
the insurgents who want to disrupt the elections and destroy
Iraq. Others fear that the lack of security in Iraq will
make it impossible to hold a free and fair election, and add
that the U.S. and Iraqi Interim Government should reconsider
holding the elections at a later date once security is
assured.


5. (U) On December 24, more than 600 Iraqis attended a forum
organized by the Iraqi Business Council of Abu Dhabi aimed at
informing them about registration and voting procedures.
Registrations will take place from January 17 to 23 and after
reviewing the registrations, those eligible to vote will be
notified.


6. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
SISON