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