Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUDHABI63
2007-01-17 14:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
PM SINIORA VISIT TO ABU DHABI
how-toVZCZCXRO0245 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHAD #0063 0171420 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 171420Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8056 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0555 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0995 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000063
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/ELA, EB/IFD/ODF
TREASURY FOR OIA MATHIASEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID ECON LE AE
SUBJECT: PM SINIORA VISIT TO ABU DHABI
REF: A. ABU DHABI 53
B. 06 ABU DHABI 4474
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000063
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/ELA, EB/IFD/ODF
TREASURY FOR OIA MATHIASEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID ECON LE AE
SUBJECT: PM SINIORA VISIT TO ABU DHABI
REF: A. ABU DHABI 53
B. 06 ABU DHABI 4474
1. (SBU) Summary: Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora concluded
a very positive visit to the UAE on January 16, with a
one-on-one meeting with UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed
Al-Nahyan, meetings with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh
Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, other UAE officials, and the
Lebanese expatriate community. UAEG officials expressed
strong public support for the Lebanese government and for
reconstruction and development. They stopped short, however,
of disclosing potential pledges. End Summary
2. (SBU) On January 16, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora
visited Abu Dhabi as part of his regional tour in advance of
the January 25 Paris Donors' conference. According to Yousef
Al-Otaiba, International Affairs Director for Abu Dhabi Crown
Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MbZ),Siniora had
a very positive visit -- including a one-on one with UAE
President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. President
Khalifa publicly stressed the UAE's interest in supporting
efforts at stabilizing Lebanon and creating a "conducive
climate for reconstruction and development." For his part,
Siniora thanked the UAE for its support noting that "UAE aid
for the underdeveloped areas of Lebanon has enabled us to
exert our control and sovereignty in those areas." Siniora
also cited Sheikh Khalifa's initiative to clear south Lebanon
of mines and cluster munitions and the "solidarity project"
to rebuild schools damaged in the war.
3. (SBU) MbZ publicly emphasized the UAE's support for the
Lebanese government and stated that the UAE was looking
forward to the Paris Donors' Conference for Lebanon. He
called on all Lebanese parties to work toward reconciliation,
stressing that dialogue among the parties was key to the
country's stability and security.
4. (U) Siniora also met with the UAE's well educated Lebanese
expatriate community, explaining that Lebanon "was proud" of
its relationship with the UAE which has been "very supportive
to us during our most difficult times."
5. (SBU) Comment: AbZ and MinState Finance Mohammed Khalfan
bin Kharbash will attend the Paris Donors' meeting. MFA's
Director of Arab Affairs and the Director of the Abu Dhabi
Fund for Development will also attend. We believe that the
UAE will measure the level of its contribution based on the
contributions of other GCC members. End Comment.
SISON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/ELA, EB/IFD/ODF
TREASURY FOR OIA MATHIASEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID ECON LE AE
SUBJECT: PM SINIORA VISIT TO ABU DHABI
REF: A. ABU DHABI 53
B. 06 ABU DHABI 4474
1. (SBU) Summary: Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora concluded
a very positive visit to the UAE on January 16, with a
one-on-one meeting with UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed
Al-Nahyan, meetings with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh
Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, other UAE officials, and the
Lebanese expatriate community. UAEG officials expressed
strong public support for the Lebanese government and for
reconstruction and development. They stopped short, however,
of disclosing potential pledges. End Summary
2. (SBU) On January 16, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora
visited Abu Dhabi as part of his regional tour in advance of
the January 25 Paris Donors' conference. According to Yousef
Al-Otaiba, International Affairs Director for Abu Dhabi Crown
Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MbZ),Siniora had
a very positive visit -- including a one-on one with UAE
President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. President
Khalifa publicly stressed the UAE's interest in supporting
efforts at stabilizing Lebanon and creating a "conducive
climate for reconstruction and development." For his part,
Siniora thanked the UAE for its support noting that "UAE aid
for the underdeveloped areas of Lebanon has enabled us to
exert our control and sovereignty in those areas." Siniora
also cited Sheikh Khalifa's initiative to clear south Lebanon
of mines and cluster munitions and the "solidarity project"
to rebuild schools damaged in the war.
3. (SBU) MbZ publicly emphasized the UAE's support for the
Lebanese government and stated that the UAE was looking
forward to the Paris Donors' Conference for Lebanon. He
called on all Lebanese parties to work toward reconciliation,
stressing that dialogue among the parties was key to the
country's stability and security.
4. (U) Siniora also met with the UAE's well educated Lebanese
expatriate community, explaining that Lebanon "was proud" of
its relationship with the UAE which has been "very supportive
to us during our most difficult times."
5. (SBU) Comment: AbZ and MinState Finance Mohammed Khalfan
bin Kharbash will attend the Paris Donors' meeting. MFA's
Director of Arab Affairs and the Director of the Abu Dhabi
Fund for Development will also attend. We believe that the
UAE will measure the level of its contribution based on the
contributions of other GCC members. End Comment.
SISON