WOMEN ASSURED SEATS IN UPCOMING FNC ELECTIONS

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 002437 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM AE SUBJECT: WOMEN ASSURED SEATS IN UPCOMING FNC ELECTIONS REF: A. 05 ABU DHABI 4905 ¶B. 05 ABU DHABI 4919 ¶C. ABU DHABI 0016 ¶1. (U) On June 12, Dr. Anwar Mohammed Ghargash, MinState for Federal National Council (FNC) Affairs, submitted a memo to the Council of Ministers outlining the process for Federal National Council elections to be held later this year after Ramadan. Confirming previous reports, the memo noted that one-half of the FNC will be elected by emirate-level councils consisting of appointed electors numbering one hundred times the number of seats to be elected (ref B). Expanding on President Sheikh Khalifa's original announcement that there would be "no restriction" on women's participation in the elections (ref B),the English daily "Gulf News" made reference to statements by UAEG sources that women would be "guaranteed" seats in the new FNC. ¶2. (SBU) Note: Women's political participation is on the UAEG's screen. Both Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed (AbZ) and MinState Gharghash had been briefed on, and approved, the MEPI-sponsored "Partners in Participation, Women's Campaign Academy" held in Dubai from June 4-6. Emirati participants at the "Women's Campaign Academy" praised the International Republican Institute's (IRI)organization of the conference, the first-ever IRI activity launched in the UAE. They also specifically commented on the work of Gina London, an IRI-Cairo representative, stating that they especially appreciated her contributions to the training. In addition, AbZ welcomed the news that a MEPI-funded Abu Dhabi Business Women's Summit for Regional Women's Leaders would be held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, 2006. He stated that the UAEG welcomed senior-level USG participation at the summit, and commented to Ambassador that the dates of the summit would likely overlap with the FNC elections. End Note. SISON