Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUDHABI1852
2007-11-06 13:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH,S VISIT TO UAE SCORES PUBLIC
how-toVZCZCXRO9104 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHAD #1852/01 3101314 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 061314Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9991 RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ABU DHABI 001852
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SCUL KMPI KDEM AE
SUBJECT: FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH,S VISIT TO UAE SCORES PUBLIC
DIPLOMACY VICTORY, LAUNCHES BREAST CANCER CAMPAIGN
Summary
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ABU DHABI 001852
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SCUL KMPI KDEM AE
SUBJECT: FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH,S VISIT TO UAE SCORES PUBLIC
DIPLOMACY VICTORY, LAUNCHES BREAST CANCER CAMPAIGN
Summary
--------------
1. (U) In an historic October 21-23 visit to the United Arab
Emirates, First Lady of the United States Laura Bush scored a
public diplomacy victory while helping to launch the first
nation-wide UAE campaign for breast cancer awareness. Mrs.
Bush was hosted for a gala luncheon by the "Mother of the
Nation" Sheikha Fatima and witnessed the eagerness of UAE
officials to share their views on the country,s social
progress while highlighting women,s education, the Middle
East Partnership Initiative, and breast cancer awareness.
The excellent cooperation which the U.S. enjoys with the UAE
was reinforced and expanded by the First Lady's visit, during
the course of which a Memorandum of Understanding/licensing
agreement was signed between the Komen Foundation for the
Cure and the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi. Mrs. Bush also
participated in the U.S.-UAE business launch of &Making it
our Business8 workplace awareness campaign in Dubai. End
summary.
Impact of Visit
--------------
2. (SBU) First Lady Laura Bush's visit to Abu Dhabi and
Dubai drew attention to a disease which, until now, has to a
large degree been concealed in a veil of shame and secrecy.
Simultaneous to the visit was a UAEG campaign to educate
women about breast cancer and to raise awareness in a
conservative Muslim society where victims of the disease are
sometimes abandoned by their husbands and their daughters may
be considered unmarriable. Mrs. Bush lent her voice to an
historic campaign aimed at educating women in order to save
their lives.
3. (U) The awareness campaign has already been effective. A
husband who heard a breast cancer awareness campaign ad on
the radio urged his wife to do a self-exam. In doing so, she
found a lump and went to the doctor the following day. She
indeed had cancer, but because of this early detection and
available treatment facilities, she had likely saved her own
life. Another story featured in the local press tells of a
husband who shaved his head to show support for his wife who
had lost her hair while undergoing chemotherapy. The UAEG
campaign was heavily promoted in the press and marketed
throughout the emirates through free-standing, pink booths in
malls and major supermarkets where educational pamphlets are
distributed and appointments made for free mammograms. A
breast cancer walk was also held October 22 along the Abu
Dhabi Corniche, where pink banners and majlis-style tents
were installed along the entire pathway. Hundreds of
national women in black abayas adorned with pink marched
followed by supporters: sons, husbands, and fathers.
Expatriates joined the walk as well, but the event was
significant for the number of Emirati nationals participating.
Highlights of Abu Dhabi Visit
--------------
4. (SBU) The First Lady,s schedule began with a
conversation October 22 with twelve young female university
students from across the UAE, who had attended USG programs
such as MEPI,s Student Leadership and Women in Technology
programs, as well as State/ECA,s International Visitor
programs. Students were enthusiastic and broached issues
such as shared values and how visiting the U.S. had
completely changed their perspectives on America. The First
Lady agreed that more exchanges and joint programs are
necessary to build mutual understanding between our two
cultures. Students were visibly affected by the warmth of
and interest from the First Lady, and offered to talk to and
encourage other students hoping to visit the U.S.
5. (U) PINK MAJLIS AT SHEIKH KHALIFA MEDICAL CITY: Created
by Dr. Trish Snozyk and her staff, the concept of the "Pink
Majlis" was a culturally acceptable setting for women to
gather and share stories of cancer survival. Breast cancer
survivors shared their stories with Mrs. Bush inside the
privacy of the majlis tent, custom-made of bright pink fabric
and hanging flowers. After the event, several of the women
wept as they thanked Embassy staff for providing the chance
for Mrs. Bush to lend her voice to this very personal and
often devastating issue. In a country where cultural stigma
often prevent early treatment, thus making the majority of
cases which come before doctors already at advanced stages of
the disease, Mrs. Bush's visit to the Pink Majlis propelled
the issue to a new level of exposure, providing unprecedented
assistance to previously silent victims. (Note: SKMC is
managed by the U.S.-based Cleveland Clinic. End note.)
ABU DHABI 00001852 002 OF 003
6. (SBU) Mrs. Bush also witnessed a signing ceremony for an
MOU between the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure and
the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi deepening U.S.-UAE
partnership on breast cancer awareness. The event was widely
covered by UAE and U.S. press and was attended by Robin
Roberts of ABC's "Good Morning America" and Greta Van
Susteren of FOX News, who interviewed Mrs. Bush during the
visit.
7. (U) Both the Pink Majlis and the university event
demonstrated the energy and dedication of Emirati women
taking on social issues with vigor and a vision of the future
they seek for their country, as well as a sense of
appreciation for the First Lady's boost to their efforts.
Sheikha Fatima Hosts Luncheon
--------------
8. (SBU) Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Kitbi, the late
President Sheikh Zayed's widow and "Mother of the Nation,"
hosted a luncheon for Mrs. Bush at her splendid Bahar (Sea)
Palace. Sheikha Fatima's invitation epitomized the keen
interest of the First Lady's Emirati hosts in joining the
efforts of women in the U.S. to promote a public campaign
against breast cancer. Also in attendance at the lunch were
22 members of the Higher National Committee for Breast Cancer
Control and nine female representatives from the UAE,s
Federal National Council.
9. (SBU) First Lady Laura Bush praised Sheikha Fatima's
continued support for all projects concerning women. Sheikha
Fatima,s support has given a tremendous boost to
coordination among many different organizations working
together on the breast cancer partnership. She and Mrs.
Bush, with their emphasis on the expansion of the U.S.-UAE
partnership, have deepened (and will continue to bolster)
efforts to engage women throughout the region on projects
highlighting their economic empowerment and civic
participation in health initiatives.
10. (SBU) Other prominent women the First Lady met while in
Abu Dhabi included: Minister of Economy Sheikha Lubna bint
Khalid al-Qassimi, Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan (wife of Abu
Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed),Sheikha
Alyazia bint Seif (wife of Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah
bin Zayed),Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan (wife of Deputy Prime
Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed),Sheikha Manal bint
Mohammed bin Rashid (wife of Minister for Presidential
Affairs Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed),Chair of the Higher
National Committee on Breast Cancer Dr. Omniyat al Hajeri,
and head of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce Businesswomen's
Council Dr. Rowda al Mutawa.
Dubai Events
--------------
11. (SBU) In a well-attended October 22 event hosted by the
Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI),the First
Lady, accompanied by HRH Princess Haya bint Hussein, wife of
UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Mohammed
bin Rashid al Maktoum, recounted the launching of the
U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and
Research one year prior and spoke on the gains in women's
health made over time in the U.S. and the UAE. Citing a
growing recognition that corporate social responsibility
should include health issues, the First Lady announced the
&Making it Our Business8 breast cancer workplace awareness
program. She commended the 11 leading U.S. and UAE companies
in Dubai that have signed on as &charter members8 to the
program: five U.S. firms -- General Motors, General
Electric, Federal Express, Microsoft, and Johnson & Johnson;
and six Emirati companies: leading Dubai parastatals Dubai
Holdings, Dubai World, and EMAAR, and large local companies
the Al Tayer Group (Gulf News, Ford, Harvey Nichols); the Al
Gurg Group (Seimens, Dunlop) and the Al Ghurair Group (the
Burjuman shopping mall, a longtime breast cancer awareness
sponsor). The First Lady pointed out that "being
compassionate and being profitable goes hand-in-hand" in the
event. Princess Haya also spoke about the importance of
increasing breast cancer awareness in the region.
12. (U) Comment: Dubai is an economic powerhouse and a
tolerant regional commercial hub which has consciously sought
to set a tone of moderation and to encourage modernization in
the Middle East. It offers a natural platform for engaging
companies in the field of breast cancer awareness, playing
host to a multitude of nationalities and industries. As
such, the First Lady,s announcement was an opportunity to
ABU DHABI 00001852 003 OF 003
reinforce her message to a diverse and attentive audience.
The three Dubai parastatals that have signed on to the
program are among the biggest companies in the Middle East
and are together the economic driving force in Dubai.
13. The announcement of the &Making it our Business8
campaign garnered significant positive press, and real
interest by these Dubai firms in systematic follow-up to
implement the program. This extensive media coverage
dovetailed with recent Dubai efforts to step up corporate
social responsibility.
Media Coverage
--------------
14. (SBU) Media interest was high and coverage was robust.
Al-Arabiya and CNBC Arabiya attended and reported on the
press conference. Other local television situations,
including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah TV, took and used feed
from the state media organ, WAM. Tuesday morning papers each
had multiple articles spread over multiple pages, with
numerous pictures from various events. The tone was positive
to the point of laudatory. English language Gulf News banner
headlined Mrs. Bush,s &tribute8 to one of the cancer
survivors who participated in the majlis, with an above the
fold photo from the event. Semi-official Arabic Al-Ittihad
daily highlighted the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi-Susan G.
Komen agreement and declared that &Sheikha Fatima and Laura
Bush Seek Cooperation Among Women,s Organizations.8 Arabic
Al-Khaleej,s interior spread bore a triple-headline invoking
Mrs. Bush, Sheikha Fatima and Princess Haya in a common call
to increase awareness and combat cancer.
Strengthening Overall Ties
--------------
15. (SBU) With traditionally strong bilateral ties binding
the UAE to the U.S. across many fronts, Mrs. Bush,s visit
scored a public diplomacy victory emphasizing themes of
friendship, cooperation, and women's education with special
focus on those who are vulnerable in our societies. The
visit highlighted efforts aimed at bringing women's health to
the forefront of UAE social development efforts.
16. (U) This message was cleared by White House staff.
SISON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SCUL KMPI KDEM AE
SUBJECT: FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH,S VISIT TO UAE SCORES PUBLIC
DIPLOMACY VICTORY, LAUNCHES BREAST CANCER CAMPAIGN
Summary
--------------
1. (U) In an historic October 21-23 visit to the United Arab
Emirates, First Lady of the United States Laura Bush scored a
public diplomacy victory while helping to launch the first
nation-wide UAE campaign for breast cancer awareness. Mrs.
Bush was hosted for a gala luncheon by the "Mother of the
Nation" Sheikha Fatima and witnessed the eagerness of UAE
officials to share their views on the country,s social
progress while highlighting women,s education, the Middle
East Partnership Initiative, and breast cancer awareness.
The excellent cooperation which the U.S. enjoys with the UAE
was reinforced and expanded by the First Lady's visit, during
the course of which a Memorandum of Understanding/licensing
agreement was signed between the Komen Foundation for the
Cure and the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi. Mrs. Bush also
participated in the U.S.-UAE business launch of &Making it
our Business8 workplace awareness campaign in Dubai. End
summary.
Impact of Visit
--------------
2. (SBU) First Lady Laura Bush's visit to Abu Dhabi and
Dubai drew attention to a disease which, until now, has to a
large degree been concealed in a veil of shame and secrecy.
Simultaneous to the visit was a UAEG campaign to educate
women about breast cancer and to raise awareness in a
conservative Muslim society where victims of the disease are
sometimes abandoned by their husbands and their daughters may
be considered unmarriable. Mrs. Bush lent her voice to an
historic campaign aimed at educating women in order to save
their lives.
3. (U) The awareness campaign has already been effective. A
husband who heard a breast cancer awareness campaign ad on
the radio urged his wife to do a self-exam. In doing so, she
found a lump and went to the doctor the following day. She
indeed had cancer, but because of this early detection and
available treatment facilities, she had likely saved her own
life. Another story featured in the local press tells of a
husband who shaved his head to show support for his wife who
had lost her hair while undergoing chemotherapy. The UAEG
campaign was heavily promoted in the press and marketed
throughout the emirates through free-standing, pink booths in
malls and major supermarkets where educational pamphlets are
distributed and appointments made for free mammograms. A
breast cancer walk was also held October 22 along the Abu
Dhabi Corniche, where pink banners and majlis-style tents
were installed along the entire pathway. Hundreds of
national women in black abayas adorned with pink marched
followed by supporters: sons, husbands, and fathers.
Expatriates joined the walk as well, but the event was
significant for the number of Emirati nationals participating.
Highlights of Abu Dhabi Visit
--------------
4. (SBU) The First Lady,s schedule began with a
conversation October 22 with twelve young female university
students from across the UAE, who had attended USG programs
such as MEPI,s Student Leadership and Women in Technology
programs, as well as State/ECA,s International Visitor
programs. Students were enthusiastic and broached issues
such as shared values and how visiting the U.S. had
completely changed their perspectives on America. The First
Lady agreed that more exchanges and joint programs are
necessary to build mutual understanding between our two
cultures. Students were visibly affected by the warmth of
and interest from the First Lady, and offered to talk to and
encourage other students hoping to visit the U.S.
5. (U) PINK MAJLIS AT SHEIKH KHALIFA MEDICAL CITY: Created
by Dr. Trish Snozyk and her staff, the concept of the "Pink
Majlis" was a culturally acceptable setting for women to
gather and share stories of cancer survival. Breast cancer
survivors shared their stories with Mrs. Bush inside the
privacy of the majlis tent, custom-made of bright pink fabric
and hanging flowers. After the event, several of the women
wept as they thanked Embassy staff for providing the chance
for Mrs. Bush to lend her voice to this very personal and
often devastating issue. In a country where cultural stigma
often prevent early treatment, thus making the majority of
cases which come before doctors already at advanced stages of
the disease, Mrs. Bush's visit to the Pink Majlis propelled
the issue to a new level of exposure, providing unprecedented
assistance to previously silent victims. (Note: SKMC is
managed by the U.S.-based Cleveland Clinic. End note.)
ABU DHABI 00001852 002 OF 003
6. (SBU) Mrs. Bush also witnessed a signing ceremony for an
MOU between the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure and
the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi deepening U.S.-UAE
partnership on breast cancer awareness. The event was widely
covered by UAE and U.S. press and was attended by Robin
Roberts of ABC's "Good Morning America" and Greta Van
Susteren of FOX News, who interviewed Mrs. Bush during the
visit.
7. (U) Both the Pink Majlis and the university event
demonstrated the energy and dedication of Emirati women
taking on social issues with vigor and a vision of the future
they seek for their country, as well as a sense of
appreciation for the First Lady's boost to their efforts.
Sheikha Fatima Hosts Luncheon
--------------
8. (SBU) Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Kitbi, the late
President Sheikh Zayed's widow and "Mother of the Nation,"
hosted a luncheon for Mrs. Bush at her splendid Bahar (Sea)
Palace. Sheikha Fatima's invitation epitomized the keen
interest of the First Lady's Emirati hosts in joining the
efforts of women in the U.S. to promote a public campaign
against breast cancer. Also in attendance at the lunch were
22 members of the Higher National Committee for Breast Cancer
Control and nine female representatives from the UAE,s
Federal National Council.
9. (SBU) First Lady Laura Bush praised Sheikha Fatima's
continued support for all projects concerning women. Sheikha
Fatima,s support has given a tremendous boost to
coordination among many different organizations working
together on the breast cancer partnership. She and Mrs.
Bush, with their emphasis on the expansion of the U.S.-UAE
partnership, have deepened (and will continue to bolster)
efforts to engage women throughout the region on projects
highlighting their economic empowerment and civic
participation in health initiatives.
10. (SBU) Other prominent women the First Lady met while in
Abu Dhabi included: Minister of Economy Sheikha Lubna bint
Khalid al-Qassimi, Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan (wife of Abu
Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed),Sheikha
Alyazia bint Seif (wife of Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah
bin Zayed),Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan (wife of Deputy Prime
Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed),Sheikha Manal bint
Mohammed bin Rashid (wife of Minister for Presidential
Affairs Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed),Chair of the Higher
National Committee on Breast Cancer Dr. Omniyat al Hajeri,
and head of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce Businesswomen's
Council Dr. Rowda al Mutawa.
Dubai Events
--------------
11. (SBU) In a well-attended October 22 event hosted by the
Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI),the First
Lady, accompanied by HRH Princess Haya bint Hussein, wife of
UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Mohammed
bin Rashid al Maktoum, recounted the launching of the
U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and
Research one year prior and spoke on the gains in women's
health made over time in the U.S. and the UAE. Citing a
growing recognition that corporate social responsibility
should include health issues, the First Lady announced the
&Making it Our Business8 breast cancer workplace awareness
program. She commended the 11 leading U.S. and UAE companies
in Dubai that have signed on as &charter members8 to the
program: five U.S. firms -- General Motors, General
Electric, Federal Express, Microsoft, and Johnson & Johnson;
and six Emirati companies: leading Dubai parastatals Dubai
Holdings, Dubai World, and EMAAR, and large local companies
the Al Tayer Group (Gulf News, Ford, Harvey Nichols); the Al
Gurg Group (Seimens, Dunlop) and the Al Ghurair Group (the
Burjuman shopping mall, a longtime breast cancer awareness
sponsor). The First Lady pointed out that "being
compassionate and being profitable goes hand-in-hand" in the
event. Princess Haya also spoke about the importance of
increasing breast cancer awareness in the region.
12. (U) Comment: Dubai is an economic powerhouse and a
tolerant regional commercial hub which has consciously sought
to set a tone of moderation and to encourage modernization in
the Middle East. It offers a natural platform for engaging
companies in the field of breast cancer awareness, playing
host to a multitude of nationalities and industries. As
such, the First Lady,s announcement was an opportunity to
ABU DHABI 00001852 003 OF 003
reinforce her message to a diverse and attentive audience.
The three Dubai parastatals that have signed on to the
program are among the biggest companies in the Middle East
and are together the economic driving force in Dubai.
13. The announcement of the &Making it our Business8
campaign garnered significant positive press, and real
interest by these Dubai firms in systematic follow-up to
implement the program. This extensive media coverage
dovetailed with recent Dubai efforts to step up corporate
social responsibility.
Media Coverage
--------------
14. (SBU) Media interest was high and coverage was robust.
Al-Arabiya and CNBC Arabiya attended and reported on the
press conference. Other local television situations,
including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah TV, took and used feed
from the state media organ, WAM. Tuesday morning papers each
had multiple articles spread over multiple pages, with
numerous pictures from various events. The tone was positive
to the point of laudatory. English language Gulf News banner
headlined Mrs. Bush,s &tribute8 to one of the cancer
survivors who participated in the majlis, with an above the
fold photo from the event. Semi-official Arabic Al-Ittihad
daily highlighted the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi-Susan G.
Komen agreement and declared that &Sheikha Fatima and Laura
Bush Seek Cooperation Among Women,s Organizations.8 Arabic
Al-Khaleej,s interior spread bore a triple-headline invoking
Mrs. Bush, Sheikha Fatima and Princess Haya in a common call
to increase awareness and combat cancer.
Strengthening Overall Ties
--------------
15. (SBU) With traditionally strong bilateral ties binding
the UAE to the U.S. across many fronts, Mrs. Bush,s visit
scored a public diplomacy victory emphasizing themes of
friendship, cooperation, and women's education with special
focus on those who are vulnerable in our societies. The
visit highlighted efforts aimed at bringing women's health to
the forefront of UAE social development efforts.
16. (U) This message was cleared by White House staff.
SISON