Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUDHABI49
2006-01-04 12:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

DEATH OF UAE VP/PM MAKTOUM BIN RASHID

Tags:  PGOV PREL PINR AE 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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).

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
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