URGING GULF ENGAGEMENT AT PARIS DONORS' CONFERENCE

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000053 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/ELA, EB/IFD/ODF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAID PREL LE AE SUBJECT: URGING GULF ENGAGEMENT AT PARIS DONORS' CONFERENCE FOR LEBANON - UAE REF: SECSTATE 3663 ¶1. (SBU) On several occasions, Ambassador has urged UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (AbZ) to have the UAE to demonstrate a high level of support for Lebanon both by sending a ministerial level delegation to the meeting and by providing a strong show of financial support for Lebanon's political and economic stabilization. AbZ told us this week that he plans to attend the donor's conference (though probably not for the entire conference). In addition, MinState Finance Dr. Mohammed Khalfan bin Kharbash will attend. AbZ did not give any figure for a possible UAE financial pledge. ¶2. (SBU) On January 15, Econchief raised the issue with MinFin A/US for Revenue and Budget, Khalid Al-Bustani, who also declined to give any estimate of potential UAE contributions. He confirmed that the Ministry of Finance had examined Lebanon economic reform program and prepared a report for the MFA on it. He said that - personally - he thought it looked like a very professional plan. On January 16, Ambassador briefly discussed the donor's meeting with Arab Monetary Fund Director General Dr. Jassem Al-Mannai, who will also attend the conference. Al-Mannai confided that he had also been unable to get a figure from the UAE. He speculated that the UAE would calculate its contribution based on the size of other GCC contributions. He said that he believed that the UAE's pledge would be substantial. ¶3. (SBU) Lebanese Prime Minister Sinora is visiting the UAE on January 16-17. Post will provide a read out as soon as the visit ends. SISON