UAE ANNOUNCES INDIRECT ELECTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ABU DHABI 004905 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/FO, NEA/PPD, AND NEA/ARPI STATE ALSO FOR PA, R, IIP, AND DRL LONDON FOR ELIZABETH MCKUNE E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2010 TAGS: KDEM PGOV PREL KPAL PTER IZ AE SUBJECT: UAE ANNOUNCES INDIRECT ELECTIONS REF: A. ABU DHABI 1002 ¶B. ABU DHABI 2173 ¶C. ABU DHABI 3043 Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced December 1 that indirect elections will be held for half of the Federal National Council (FNC),with the other half being appointed. This move had been anticipated, and in fact promised by UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed during his visit with the Secretary in August. The timetable for the elections is not yet known, although unnamed UAE officials have told the press that the process of choosing the new council would start early next year. The Supreme Ruling Council, comprising the seven rulers of the seven semi-autonomous emirates, is expected to convene on December 3, presumably about this and other internal developments. ¶2. (C) Summary continued: The UAE has lagged behind other countries in the region that have adopted political reforms, including elections. President Khalifa made no mention of whether women would be allowed to participate in the election process, although it is widely expected that this will be the case. The press reported unanimous official and public approval of the announcement, which comes on the 34th anniversary of the UAE's independence. Although not as dramatic a move as general elections, one newspaper editor called this "half election" a gradual step toward broadening the political participation of the citizenry. In addition to announcing the FNC elections, President Khalifa used his National Day remarks to reiterate the UAE's support for Iraq and the Palestinians, and its condemnation of terrorism. End Summary. ¶3. (U) On December 1, President Khalifa announced that the country's principal consultative body )- the FNC )- would be partly elected for the first time in its history. These would not be general elections. Instead, each of the rulers will appoint local council members who will in turn elect half of the FNC membership for their respective emirates. No announcement has been made yet on the timeline for the elections, although unnamed UAE officials quoted in the press say that the process would get under way in a few months. The "Gulf News" reported that the Presidential Court will issue a by-law later regarding the election process. The term of the FNC is two years. No announcement has been made about the start of the next two-year session. ¶4. (U) The FNC is a consultative body and all federal draft laws and decrees must go through it before they are officially adopted by the Supreme Ruling Council. (Draft legislation is prepared by the relevant UAEG ministry.) While the FNC does not have the power to reject legislation, it can send it back to the cabinet for amendment. The FNC also has the authority to question any government minister. Election Announcement No Surprise -------------- ¶5. (C) This development had been anticipated for some time. During his visit to Washington in August 2005, Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed had told the Secretary to expect an announcement about greater political participation before the end of the year. In mid-November, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed had stated that a plan for broadening political participation was forthcoming. Discussions of political reform in the UAE began to percolate in earnest earlier this year after the Ruler of the emirate of Sharjah appointed municipal councils and announced that these councils could one day be elected (ref A). Selection of FNC Membership -------------- ¶6. (U) At present, the 40 FNC members are appointed by the rulers of the seven semi-autonomous emirates. The emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai each have eight seats, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah six, and the smaller Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain, and Fujairah four. The Constitution leaves it up to the individual emirates to select its FNC members. Under the new plan, further details of which are expected to emerge on December 3, half of the FNC membership will now be chosen by local councils in each emirate. Membership to the local councils will be on appointment by the local ruler of each emirate. The number of members on each of the emirate's councils will correspond to the number of representatives on the FNC multiplied by 50. For example, Abu Dhabi's local council will consist of 400 members. All told, there will be 2,000 members of local councils across the UAE. These "super-electors," who will include dignitaries, tribal chiefs and other influential figures in society, will then elect from either within or outside their ranks half of the FNC. It appears that each local council will be responsible for electing members from its emirate. The remaining 20 FNC members will be appointed by the rulers as before. ¶7. (U) In his National Day remarks, President Khalifa said: "Considering the developments in our region, which is now witnessing transformation and reforms, the years ahead in our blessed march require a bigger role for the Federal National Council by empowering it to be an authority that would provide great support and guidance for the executive arm of the government. We shall work to make the Council more capable, more effective and more sensitive to the issues affecting the nation and the people. ... And through a more gradual, organized course, we have decided to start activating the role of the FNC through electing half of its members through councils for each emirate and appointing the other half. By doing this, we will embark on a march that culminates in more participation and interaction from all the citizens of the country." Participation of Women -------------- ¶8. (C) Information Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed had told the Ambassador earlier in the year that that there would likely be no restrictions on the participation of women in the FNC. Economy and Planning Minister Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi, the only woman ever to serve in the Federal Cabinet, told the "Gulf News" December 2 that the constitution envisaged a move toward democracy and the rulers had been preparing the people for it. "Now the time has come for this natural transition," she said, adding that she wished to see more women participating in the FNC. In the past, women have received training from the FNC and the General Women's Union to prepare them to play an eventual role in the council. Their training has included observation of the FNC's proceedings. Also, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the wife of the late UAE President Sheikh Zayed, has long been at the forefront of those calling for greater participation in the political process and for the empowerment of women in the society. Academic Ebtisam Al Kitbi, a regular Embassy contact, has told the press that she intends to present her candidacy for the FNC. She and General Women's Union Secretary General Noura Al Suwaidi have told us in the past SIPDIS of their intentions to serve on the FNC, although both have also said that they believe it was more important to empower the FNC than it was to open its membership to women for the first time. Press Coverage: Unanimous Approval for "Half Election" -------------- -------------- ¶9. (U) The press published interviews with government officials, business executives, and ordinary citizens hailing the coming of democracy to the UAE. In a front-page editorial, "Gulf News" Editor-in-Chief Abdul Hamid Ahmad hailed the UAE leadership's decision. "They have always proved how close they are to their people and their deep understanding of the positive changes taking place in the region and the world." He said the "half election is half the way to fully open the political process." Arabic dailies "Al Khaleej", "Al Bayan", and "Al Ittihad" all warmly welcomed the announcement, describing it as an "important, historical turning point." "Al Khaleej" editorial notes that the decision "has placed a huge burden on the shoulders of local organizations to activate new steps and pump new blood into the Federal establishment." Support for Iraq, Palestinians; Condemnation of Terror -------------- -------------- ¶10. (U) President Khalifa's national day address also noted the UAE's support for the unity of Iraq and its people, as well as for Palestinian statehood. He said of Iraq, "We are deeply pained and concerned by the deterioration of the security situation and the continual bombings, violence, terrorism, kidnappings, and killings of innocent civilians." On the Palestinian issue, he said, "We hope that Israel's withdrawal from Gaza Strip will be followed by similar withdrawals from the occupied Arab territories so that the Palestinian people will have the opportunity to establish their own independent state." On the issue of terrorism, President Khalifa said, "we have strongly condemned the vicious terrorism bombings that hit the sisterly and friendly countries of Egypt, Jordan, and the United Kingdom." Comment: -------------- ¶11. (C) The pace of political reform in the UAE has been admittedly slow until this landmark decision to open up the political process. While the move is welcome, in the absence of legislative authorities )- FNC members do not have the power to draft or reject laws )- the significance of President Khalifa's announcement may be less than meets the eye. Although it is still only a "half election," we should welcome this gradual step toward broadening the political participation of the citizenry. Embassy programs are already committed to advance the reform process and MEPI political reform goals through civil society support, NGO strengthening, legislative staff training, equipping women with skills and techniques to use in advocacy and electoral campaigns, developing an independent media, and now, election assistance (refs. B, C). SISON