DEATH OF UAE VP/PM MAKTOUM BIN RASHID

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000049 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/FO AND NEA/ARPI NSC PLEASE PASS TO OVP E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/03/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR AE SUBJECT: DEATH OF UAE VP/PM MAKTOUM BIN RASHID Classified By: AMBASSADOR MICHELE J. SISON, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) Summary and Action Request: Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai and UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, died January 3 in Australia at the age of 65 due to heart failure. Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum (MbR) automatically succeeded his older brother as Ruler of Dubai, and will most likely succeed him as UAE Vice President. However, the title of Prime Minister may go to Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the current Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, who has been rumored to be in line for the job ever since he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in October 2003. The UAEG has issued a statement saying that the country will observe 40 days of national mourning and the closure of federal offices for seven days starting today (January 4). The Ambassador's message of condolence is contained in para 7. Para 9 contains an action request for a Washington condolence message/delegation. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Sheikh Maktoum's death was announced January 4. Born in 1940, he had been the nominal ruler of the second-most powerful emirate in the UAE since 1990, when he succeeded his father. In addition to his Dubai role, he held the federal offices of Vice President and Prime Minister since that time. However, Sheikh Maktoum had shown little interest in either governing or foreign affairs, preferring to delegate real authority to his charismatic third younger brother MbR, who is the UAE Defense Minister and Crown Prince of Dubai. Sheikh Maktoum was a racehorse enthusiast and spent most of his time in the U.K. Ruler of Dubai -------------- ¶3. (C) Sheikh Maktoum has been succeeded as Ruler of Dubai by MbR. This is not a surprising choice, since MbR was the Crown Prince and has been the de facto Ruler of Dubai, even though there is an elder brother, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al-Maktoum. (Hamdan will continue in his role as Deputy Ruler and federal Minister of Finance. MbR is likely to continue as Minister of Defense.) A fourth al-Maktoum brother, Ahmad, does not currently hold an official position. Since MbR has long been in charge of Dubai, it is unlikely that this succession will cause significant policy changes in �A;the emirate. Smooth Transition Anticipated -------------- ¶4. (C) Sheikh Maktoum's departure from the scene occurs a little more than a year after the death of the UAE's founder and first President, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan. Sheikh Zayed's death was followed by a smooth transition of power, with the UAE's Supreme Council of Rulers voting unanimously within 48 hours to have Zayed's eldest son, Sheikh Khalifa, succeed him as President. As Vice President, Sheikh Maktoum had chaired the Supreme Council meeting shortly after Zayed's funeral. ¶5. (C) We expect another smooth transition after the death of Sheikh Maktoum, a process which will again involve the al-Maktoum and al-Nahyan ruling families, as well as the Supreme Council. Although press reports indicate that President Khalifa will appoint a new prime minister and vice president, we believe that MbR will inherit the largely ceremonial title of Vice President. (Comment: The al-Nahyans are unlikely to give up the UAE presidency in the foreseeable future. If UAE President Khalifa were to depart the scene, the Supreme Council would likely select Khalifa's successor as Ruler of Abu Dhabi Emirate, Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, as the UAE's next president. End comment.) Other Possible Appointments -------------- ¶6. (C) Many predict that the title of Prime Minister will be given to Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the current Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Such a move would permit the long-rumored appointment of current Information Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, as Foreign Minister. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed and his brother, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed, have shared the duties of chairing the federal Cabinet of Ministers since Sheikh Hamdan was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in fall 2003. (Note: Due to his prolonged absences from the UAE, the late Sheikh Maktoum rarely chaired Cabinet meetings. ¶7. (U) Ambassador's message of condolence, which follows, has been distributed to the press (along with a condolence telegram to the ruling family) and can be used as a basis for Washington's condolence message: On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I would like to extend my deep and heartfelt sympathy to His Highness President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the al-Maktoum family, and the people of the United Arab Emirates, on the death of His Highness, the late Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum. Sheikh Maktoum was a close friend and wise ally who had often visited the United States. His dream for his people is evident in the extraordinary development, growth, and prosperity of the Emirate of Dubai and the UAE. Sheikh Maktoum was admired by the people of the United States and loved by the citizens and residents of the United Arab Emirates, whose well being he always sought to advance. His vision, his humanity, and commitment as well as his remarkably kind and generous nature will be greatly missed. ¶8. (U) Sheikh Maktoum's remains are scheduled to arrive in Dubai at 7 a.m. local time on January 5. In keeping with local tradition, prayers and burial will follow at 10 a.m., after which condolence calls will be received at MbR's Nakheel Palace in Dubai for a period of three days. A condolence book will be available for signing at MFA starting January 5 for three days. Ambassador Sison and EB A/S Tony Wayne, currently visiting the region, will pay an official condolence call on the al-Maktoum family on Friday, January 6. ¶9. (U) Action Request: Action: Embassy requests that a message of condolence on the death of the late UAE Vice President/Prime Minister Sheikh Maktoum be issued from the Office of the Vice President. A high-level condolence delegation from Washington would also be welcome and appropriate during the period January 5-7. Also appropriate would be a condolence telephone call to the UAE Embassy's Charge d'Affaires in Washington. SISON