Federal National Council Set to Convene February 12 - UAEG

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ABU DHABI 000208 SIPDIS STATE FOR DRL, NEA/ARP, and NEA/PPD E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM AE SUBJECT: Federal National Council Set to Convene February 12 - UAEG Calls for "New Policy Ideas" REF: 06 Abu Dhabi 4528 ¶1. On February 6, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a decree setting the date for the FNC's opening session as Monday, February 12. At the same time he announced that plans were under development--and would soon be announced--to strengthen the FNC's legislative powers, and called on the council to begin developing new ideas. Addressing the new members on February 6, Sheikh Khalifa encouraged members to be innovative, bringing in ideas that "reinforce security; promote the value of justice; improve the level of transparency, accountability, and integrity; and promote rights and freedoms." The president concluded by instructing FNC members: "You are entrusted by the citizens to represent them and to reflect their aspirations and needs." ¶2. The 20 seats of the Federal National Council (FNC) left vacant following the December 2006 limited elections that elected one-half of the Council's membership, were filled on February 4 when Khalifa issued a decree appointing another 20 members. Three of the appointed members served in the previous Council. Appointed members included teachers, journalists, business CEOs, academics, and a police chief. Of the 20 appointments made, eight are women, thus making 22 percent of the membership women, and relieving public concerns that only one woman was elected to the FNC. ¶3. On February 5, Sheikha Fatima, widow of UAE founder Sheikh Zayed, who has been the most powerful advocate for UAE women, lauded the decision to appoint eight women members, which, she added, reflects the trust of the rulers in women, and places a new challenge on them to perform. Dr. Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs, expressed pleasure with the final composition of the FNC saying that the membership is a mixture of youth and experience, and that the council includes the largest percentage of women of any Arab or Gulf country. He urged women members to be innovative, and all members to use their knowledge and experience "for the sake of serving the country and solving issues." Labor Minister Dr. Ali Al Kaabi congratulated women for "gaining the Rulers' trust." ¶4. The press responded strongly and positively to the announcement of an additional 8 women being appointed to the FNC. In a February 7 editorial in Arabic daily Al Ittihad, Domestic News Chief Mohammed Al Hammadi commented that the new FNC is distinguished both by having half of its members elected and including a significant group of "elite" women. He added that the crucial next step is choosing an "effective and strong speaker to run the parliament," one who is both capable and without bias. Al Hammadi expressed hope that the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs continues its role in attending sessions and encouraging citizens' interaction with the council. On the same day, the "Akhbar Al Saah" bulletin, issued by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, praised the inclusion of women members and encouraged them to "contribute effectively to the development process" of the country, adding that international observers will be monitoring the new political role of women in the UAE. -------------- ¶5. FNC Members--Appointed February 4, 2007 -------------- Note: Some biographic information is still not available. Abu Dhabi -------------- -- Amer Abdul Jaleel Mohammed Abdul Raheem Al Faheem -- Abdullah Nasser Huwayleel Al Mansouri -- Fatima Hamad Nasser Hamad Al Kinaibi Al Mazrouei, Arabic language teacher at the UAE University. (female) -- Mogheer Khamis Mogheer Jabir Al Khaili Dubai -------------- -- Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Ghorair. Chief Executive Officer at Mashreq Bank since 1990, and President of Al Ghurair City Mall. He sits on the Board of Directors of many local and international organizations. He received a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering with Honors from California Polytechnic State University. -- Fatima Ghanem bin Ghanem Al Merri. Educational Consultant at Dubai Education Council. Started career as a teacher then was promoted to Vice Principal and then Principal of a Dubai-based school for 15 years. Bachelor's degree in Education from UAE University. (female) -- Maysaa Rashid Ghadeer. Assistant Manager for Public Relations and Media in 'Sama Dubai' television channel, and a columnist in the Dubai-based Arabic daily Al Bayan. (female) -- Najlaa Faisal Al Awadi. Deputy Executive Director for Dubai Media Corporation, and General Manager of 'Dubai One' television channel. She studied History in the United States where she was the President of the Muslim Students Club. (female) Sharjah -------------- -- Salem Mohammed bin Salem Al Naqbi. Main item on his agenda will be constitution amendment in relation to the future direct elections of FNC members. -- Ayesha Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi. Ex-member of the Sharjah Consultative Council. Retired from the Ministry of Health. (female) -- Mohammed Abdullah Ali Al Zaabi. Deputy Director of Kalba Hospital in Sharjah and member of the Sharjah Consultative Council. Bachelor's degree in Political and Administrative Sciences from UAE University in 1985. Ras Al Khaimah -------------- -- Ahmed Mohammed Nasser Al Khatri. Head of Ras Al Khaimah Courts Department and previous member of FNC. -- Rashid Mohammed Khalfan Al Shiraigi. Previous Undersecretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries 1999-2005. Master's degree with honors in Environmental Sciences and Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Sciences from UAE University. -- Nedal Mohammed Al Tenaiji. Assistant Professor at UAE University; teaches E-learning. A graduate of U.S. universities. Born 1975. (female) Ajman -------------- -- Brig. Ali Majid Al Matroushi. Chief of Ajman Police since 2001. A graduate of the Police Academy in Jordan. Held various positions in Civil Defense as well as police. -- Alyaa Salem Saeed Al Suwaidi. Deputy Director of Ajman Medical District. First female deputy director in the Ministry of Health in 25 years. (female) Umm Al Quwain -------------- -- Sultan Khalfan Sultan bin Hussein Al Ali. Retired officer and lawyer. Main focus will be on education development. -- Ali Jasem Ahmed Jasem. Director of Umm Al Quwain radio station and previous member of FNC. Fujairah -------------- -- Rawiyah Saif Sultan Saeed Al Samahi. Head of the Public Health Awareness Department at the Fujairah Municipality. Studied English Literature and Education at the UAE University and has been doing voluntary work since 1997 to support women's sports. Father is an ex-member of the FNC. Born 1972, married with three children. (female) -- Saeed Ali Hamad Al Hafri. Director General of Military Training and previous Director General of Fujairah Police. -------------- ¶6. FNC Members - Elected December 16-20 -------------- Abu Dhabi -------------- -- Mohamed Mohamed Fadel Al Hameli. Extensive experience with Abu Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning Department. MBA from New Hampshire University. Born in 1964. -- Ahmed Shabeeb Mohammed Al Dhaheri. Former deputy speaker and two-time appointed member of the FNC. He is currently the Executive Director of Scholarships at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. B.A in Economics from La Verne University. Born in 1961. -- Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubeisi. Professor of Architecture at UAE University. Ph.D. in Architecture from UAE University. (female) -- Rashed Mohamed Ali Al Marar. Joined the UAE Foreign Ministry in ¶1988. Degree in Marketing from the American College in London. Born in 1964. Fujairah -------------- -- Major Dr. Sultan Ahmed Danhani. Director of Human Resource Department, Fujairah Police Department. Doctorate from Cairo Police Academy. Born in 1965. -- Ahmed Saeed Al Danhani. Former Ambassador to China, Spain and Tunisia, is currently the Director of the Department of Science and Research in Abu Dhabi. Graduate of Economy and Political Science from UAE University. Born in 1971. Dubai -------------- -- Jamal Al Hai. Senior official at the Department of Civil Aviation. Bachelor's degree in Administration and Media Communication from UAE University. Born in 1960. -- Khalid Ali Ahmed bin Zayed. Director of Administration for Municipality Centers. Degree in General Administration from UAE University. Born in 1964. -- Sultan Saqr Al Suweidi. Secretary General of the General Authority of Youth and Sports. Bachelor's degree in History from Alexandria University in Egypt. Born in 1951. -- Hussein Al Sha'afar. Businessman with experience in construction, insurance and security systems. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from South Eastern University in London. Born in 1968. Ras Al Khaimah -------------- -- Abdullah Ahmed Al Shehi. Graduate of Business Administration from the UAE University, with experience working in the health sector. Born 1967. -- Dr. Abdul Rahim Shaheen. Political Science professor at UAE University, political commentator, and author of several books including a 2006 book on the mission and accomplishment of the FNC. Doctorate in Political Science from Cairo University. Born 1957. -- Yousef Obaid Al Nuaimi. Vice Chairman of the RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Bachelor's Degree in English Language from a British university. Born 1953. Sharjah -------------- -- Dr. Obaid Ali bin Butti Al Muhairi. Works in various fields and has been a diplomat, academic, researcher, lecturer, and has helped prepare curriculum of schools. Holds a Doctorate degree in Philosophy. -- Khalifa Abdullah bin Howaiden. Legal researcher at the administrative control department. A member of the Sharjah Consultative Council, and is in the permanent committee for civil services. Married with six children. Born 1970. -- Hamad Hareth Al Midfa. Holds a Master's degree from the American University of Sharjah and a Bachelor's in Business Administration. Married with five children. Born 1961. Ajman -------------- -- Hamad bin Abdullah Al Ghafli. Private Secretary to Ruler of Ajman. Studied English and IT in the U.S. and later joined the Sheikh Zayed Academy in Al Ain. Married with 4 children. Born ¶1986. -- Khalid Mohamed Bu Shahab. Head of passport control at Dubai International Airport. Graduated from Abu Dhabi Police Academy with a Diploma in Law. Married with one child. Born 1967. Umm Al Quwain -------------- -- Sultan Saif Al Qubaisi. Chairman of Al Kubaisi Group, a group of commercial and retail companies in the country and abroad. Had modest upbringings which prevented him from continuing his higher education. Married with 7 children, Born 1958. -- Yousef Ali Fadel bin Fadel. Former Executive Director of Dubai Islamic Bank. Earned Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from the U.S. in 1983. Married with five children. Born 1959. SISON FNC appointments UNCLASSIFIED