Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ABUDHABI3954
2005-09-18 11:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

ENGAGEMENT OF UAEG ON IRAQ-UNGA THEMES AND

Tags:  PREL PTER PGOV KPAL KDEM UNGA AEMR EAID TC IZ 
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Diana T Fritz 08/28/2006 03:57:15 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results

Cable 
Text: 
 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 03954

SIPDIS
CXABU:
 ACTION: AMB
 INFO: POL ECON DCM

DISSEMINATION: AMB
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: AMB:MSISON
DRAFTED: POL:BTHOMSON
CLEARED: DCM:MQUINN

VZCZCADI796
RR RUEHC RUEHZM RUEHDE RUCNDT
DE RUEHAD #3954/01 2611149
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 181149Z SEP 05
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1605
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 5409
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0047
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 003954 

SIPDIS

NEA/ARPI, NEA/I

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV KPAL KDEM UNGA AEMR EAID TC IZ
SUBJECT: ENGAGEMENT OF UAEG ON IRAQ-UNGA THEMES AND
APPRECIATION FOR KATRINA ASSISTANCE

REF: A. STATE 168004


B. STATE 164135

C. STATE 164132

D. STATE 165002

E. STATE 164134

Classified By: DCM Martin Quinn for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 003954

SIPDIS

NEA/ARPI, NEA/I

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV KPAL KDEM UNGA AEMR EAID TC IZ
SUBJECT: ENGAGEMENT OF UAEG ON IRAQ-UNGA THEMES AND
APPRECIATION FOR KATRINA ASSISTANCE

REF: A. STATE 168004


B. STATE 164135

C. STATE 164132

D. STATE 165002

E. STATE 164134

Classified By: DCM Martin Quinn for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: During call on MFA Assistant Under Secretary
Tariq Ahmed Al Haidan on September 13, DCM engaged the
Assistant U/S on a range of issues including Hurricane
Katrina, Avian Flu, and Iraq themes at UNGA. DCM thanked
UAEG for its generosity following Hurricane Katrina. He
encouraged UAEG action regarding the threat of Avian Flu, and
found that UAEG is taking steps to establish monitoring
committees and creating organizational structures to
coordinate responses to the threat both unilaterally and
multilaterally. DCM urged UAEG to offer public support for
the political process in addition to financial aid to Iraq.
The Assistant U/S expressed concern regarding Iran's growing
influence in Iraq as well as worry that the US might leave
too soon. End Summary.

--------------
Hurricane Katrina
--------------


2. (U) DCM expressed appreciation to UAEG for the extremely
generous response to Hurricane Katrina, and passed a copy of
the Embassy press release regarding the $100MN donation. Al
Haidan responded that our countries are friends and must
stand by each other during difficult times.

--------------
Avian Flu
--------------


3. (U) DCM passed a second copy of the Statement of Core
Principles on Avian and Pandemic Influenza (ref E). Al
Haidan said that Majed Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the
Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency, had recently chaired a series
of meetings including members from the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries, as well as from Abu Dhabi
Municipality and the General Authority for Health Services,
resulting in the formation of standing committees on

monitoring and promoting education concerning Avian Flu. It
was also proposed that a Center for Infectious Diseases be
set up in Abu Dhabi to coordinate all activities related to
the control, prevention, and management of Avian Flu-related
illnesses. DCM stressed that it is important that countries
join together at UNGA to partner in the effort to contain the
disease, to which Assistant U/S replied that he had strongly
recommended participation to the Minister and to the
representatives in NY.

--------------
Iraq
--------------


4. (C) DCM inquired about the outcome of the Arab League FM
meeting in Cairo and the GCC Ministers' meeting in Jeddah,
particularly in regard to Iraq. Al Haidan stated that the
Arab League plans to open an office in Iraq in order to
assure the government of Iraq's full participation in that
organization. While the Iraqi constitution was not formally
addressed at the meetings, he said that it was stated that
Iraq was and will be recognized as a single state within the
Arab League, and that there was significant discussion
regarding the importance of maintaining a unified Iraq. DCM
queried if the UAE would have an Ambassador in Iraq soon, and
Al Haidan stated that after the election when the security
situation was stable the UAEG will send more embassy staff.
He said the UAEG wants an active embassy in Baghdad but that
Sheikh Hamdan had asked what the point was of sending
diplomats who cannot safely leave their building. He noted
that most of the Emirati embassy staff currently in Baghdad
(8-10 persons) are there to provide security.


5. (C) DCM pointed out that Iraq is at a critical juncture in
its transition to democracy. He urged that debt forgiveness
and public statements of support from neighboring Arab
governments would be important steps in rebuilding the
country. The Assistant U/S responded that UAEG was aware of
the economic needs and had been studying the issue of debt
forgiveness with its neighbors. But, he said, it was
generally agreed that now is not the time to come to a final
decision regarding this matter, but that after a new
parliament and government are seated in Baghdad the issue
will be revisited. He added that the UAEG hopes the upcoming
referendum will succeed and noted that the UAEG may be
willing to make a public statement urging full participation
of all Iraqi parties.


6. (C) Al Haidan noted that he is troubled by recent
developments in Iraq, especially the terrorist activity in
the south, which he sees as very significant. Al Haidan
(having begun his MFA career in Iran and serving more than 10
years in Tehran) stated that this development is indicative
of the growing influence of Iran in the south, particularly
in Basra. He said the problem cannot be defined simply as
one of Shi'a versus Sunni, but that it is increasingly Arab
Shi'a against Iranian Shi'a, and that the Arab Shi'a are
growing more resentful of the Iranian influence. He noted
that the Iranians are also supporting the Sunni insurgency
throughout Iraq, with funds and weapons, as a way to foster
instability from which Iran continues to benefit.


7. (C) The Assistant U/S expressed a fear that the USG would
leave Iraq before its mission was complete, noting that
leaving Iraq too early would lead to an absolute disaster.
The DCM countered that the United States is fully committed
to staying the course in Iraq, President Bush having made
that point very clear many times. DCM added that Iraq also
needs help and assurances from its Arab neighbors as well as
from the US, noting that public statements of support for the
constitutional and electoral process, VIP visits to show
solidarity, and full diplomatic representation would help
Iraq through this transition. But Al Haidan argued that the
Iraqi leadership no longer believes in the Arabs and they
want nothing from them except money. He stated that only the
USG can gather the Iraqi factions together at this point.
DCM responded saying that it is also important that the U.N.
maintain personnel levels sufficient to help conduct the
constitutional referendum and elections. Al Haidan agreed
adding that he will be sure to pass that message to the
Minister.
SISON