Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUDHABI3641
2006-09-14 12:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
UAEG ANNOUNCES FNC ELECTION GUIDELINES
how-toVZCZCXRO3099 PP RUEHDE DE RUEHAD #3641 2571226 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141226Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6947 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 6422
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 003641
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM AE
SUBJECT: UAEG ANNOUNCES FNC ELECTION GUIDELINES
REF: ABU DHABI 2655
Classified By: AMBASSADOR MICHELE J. SISON, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 003641
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM AE
SUBJECT: UAEG ANNOUNCES FNC ELECTION GUIDELINES
REF: ABU DHABI 2655
Classified By: AMBASSADOR MICHELE J. SISON, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (U) On September 13, Minister of State for Federal
National Council(FNC) Affairs, Dr. Anwar Gargash, announced
the establishment of the "electoral college" for the
country's first FNC "election." The announcement was front
page in all UAE papers. The college, consisting of more than
6,000 members, has over 1,000 women members, and will begin
meeting the week of September 17 in preparation for the
limited election expected in December. Gargash also
announced the National Election Committee's(NEC) executive
instructions for polling procedures, candidacy eligibility,
and campaign finance regulations. Under the announced
regulations, if any member of the electoral college is a
civil servant or member of the military and wants to run for
an FNC position, he/she must take a two-month leave of
absence prior to the election. Candidates for the FNC who are
members of the judiciary must resign from their post prior to
campaigning. Campaign expenditures are limited to AED 2
million (USD 545,000) and may not include public funds, or
donations from abroad.
2. (C) During a September 4 lunch with PolChief, Gargash
stated that these "elections" should not be misinterpreted as
a rush towards democracy, but should be seen simply as the
introduction of democratic "elements" as a way to develop a
political culture in the UAE without introducing the
"destabilizing influences" he said were evident in recent
popular elections elsewhere in the region. (Note: These
comments mirror what Gargash told Ambassador reftel, in which
he emphasized that political stability provides the
foundation for the UAE's economic success and will continue
to be a priority for the UAEG. End Note.)
SISON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM AE
SUBJECT: UAEG ANNOUNCES FNC ELECTION GUIDELINES
REF: ABU DHABI 2655
Classified By: AMBASSADOR MICHELE J. SISON, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (U) On September 13, Minister of State for Federal
National Council(FNC) Affairs, Dr. Anwar Gargash, announced
the establishment of the "electoral college" for the
country's first FNC "election." The announcement was front
page in all UAE papers. The college, consisting of more than
6,000 members, has over 1,000 women members, and will begin
meeting the week of September 17 in preparation for the
limited election expected in December. Gargash also
announced the National Election Committee's(NEC) executive
instructions for polling procedures, candidacy eligibility,
and campaign finance regulations. Under the announced
regulations, if any member of the electoral college is a
civil servant or member of the military and wants to run for
an FNC position, he/she must take a two-month leave of
absence prior to the election. Candidates for the FNC who are
members of the judiciary must resign from their post prior to
campaigning. Campaign expenditures are limited to AED 2
million (USD 545,000) and may not include public funds, or
donations from abroad.
2. (C) During a September 4 lunch with PolChief, Gargash
stated that these "elections" should not be misinterpreted as
a rush towards democracy, but should be seen simply as the
introduction of democratic "elements" as a way to develop a
political culture in the UAE without introducing the
"destabilizing influences" he said were evident in recent
popular elections elsewhere in the region. (Note: These
comments mirror what Gargash told Ambassador reftel, in which
he emphasized that political stability provides the
foundation for the UAE's economic success and will continue
to be a priority for the UAEG. End Note.)
SISON