UAE PRESS HIGHLIGHTS MBR'S REMARKS ON FTA

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 002284

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, EB/TPP/TA
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR DONNELLY AND BELL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECON PGOV AE
SUBJECT: UAE PRESS HIGHLIGHTS MBR'S REMARKS ON FTA


RE: A. ABU DHABI 2016

B. ABU DHABI 1772


1. U) Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (MbR),UA Vice
President/Prime Minister and Ruler of Duba gave a wide
ranging interview to the pan-Arab pper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat on
Saturday June 3, which as carried in most UAE Arabic and
English languag papers the same day. MbR covered a number
of tpics including: Iran's nuclear program, need foreducation reform, elections to the Federal Nationa Council,
etc. The UAE Arabic and English languge press, however,
chose to highlight his remarkson the U.S.-UAE FTA, with
headlines like "we wil not pay a political price for a trade
agreementwith the U.S.8


2. (U) The interview had only on FTA question. EMBASSY
informal translation folows:

Q: The United Arab Emirates is in negotiatins with the
United States to establish a free trde agreement. Are there
any political costs to tat agreement in light of the
reaction to U.S. coditions on amending the labor law and
allowing te formation of political gatherings? (Note: From
ontext, we understand this to be trade unions. En Note)

A: The UAE will not pay political costs or any trade
agreement with the U.S. or any othe (country).


3. (SBU) Comment: The fact that UAEpapers chose to highlight
a minor portion of MbR' remarks reveals the high level of
public interest/concern about the FTA, and the need for the
government to "hang tough." We should also not read too much
into MbR's remarks. It is clear that the FTA was not a major
focus for the interview. In addition, the aggressive
phrasing of the question required MbR to respond with a
categorical answer. End Comment.
SISON