MOHAMMED GERGAWI DISCUSSES MBR FOUNDATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 DUBAI 000423

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/28/2017
TAGS: ECON SOCI SCUL AE
SUBJECT: MOHAMMED GERGAWI DISCUSSES MBR FOUNDATION

REF: A) STATE 87911, B) ABU DHABI 949, C) DUBAI 363

CLASSIFIED BY: Paul R Sutphin, Consul General, Dubai, UAE.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)




1. (C) Summary: UAE Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs
Mohammed Gergawi discussed potential areas of cooperation
between the USG, U.S. educational institutions, non-governmental
organizations and the Mohammad Bin Rashid Foundation (MbRF) in a
90 minute meeting with the Ambassador and Consul General June 26
(Refs A and B). Gergawi stressed the MbRF's initial focus on
education and its broad scope, which will include programs in
the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. He outlined several
ideas for programs focused on graduate and business studies,
including bringing students to Dubai to see first-hand a
regional success story. He again emphasized his desire for close
-- but indirect -- cooperation and coordination with the USG.
The Ambassador presented the non-paper of potential areas of
cooperation (ref A); Gergawi was enthusiastic and said his
people would review the document. He particularly requested USG
assistance in encouraging U.S. universities and institutions to
work with the MbRF, and to assist with visas for students
traveling to the U.S. on MbRF scholarships when that time came.
U.S. consulting firm Booz Allen will work over the summer with
the Dubai government's Executive Office (which reports directly
to Gergawi) to develop a strategy for MbRF activities, with the
goal of a public presentation in September 2007 (likely in the
weeks before Ramadan). Citing the stalled effort to establish a
4000-student University of Connecticut campus in Dubai's
Academic City project, Gergawi also made a strong pitch for USG
assistance in encouraging a quality U.S. university to set up a
large campus in Dubai, citing the potential positive political
impact. Post will continue to engage MbRF planners over the
summer to assist in matchmaking with U.S. universities, NGOs and
foundations, as well as to discuss other potential areas of
cooperation (see Para 16). End Summary.



Booz Allen and Executive Office to Shape MbRF's Strategy

-------------- --------------




2. (C) Gergawi, a principal advisor to MbR as well as head of
parastatal Dubai Holdings, put the MbRF at the top of his
(extensive) list of duties, noting "I am ready to drop
everything else to take this forward." He was upbeat about the
MbRF's future and the possibility for unofficial cooperation
with the USG; he made a point of noting he had come to the
meeting alone both to facilitate open discussion and ensure the
dialogue remained private regarding USG ideas. Describing the
MbRF's "big picture" goals, he underscored the overall objective
is to "elevate minds through education and culture" and to
"create people who would become future leaders" throughout the
Arab and Muslim world. He said Booz Allen would be working
closely with MbR's Executive Office (a Gergawi creation modeled
on the Executive Office of the President) to develop the MbRF's
strategy and program over the summer.







Financing: Harvard Endowment as Model

--------------




3. (C) Regarding MbRF financing, Gergawi confirmed that part of
Dubai Holding's assets would be reallocated to create the MbRF's

DUBAI 00000423 002 OF 005


$10b endowment. The MbRF's recently-named Chief Financial
Officer, Fadhil al Ahli, and a team from the Executive Office
had just returned from a trip to the U.S. to meet with the
administrators of Harvard's endowment, including Ahmed al-Aryan.
The MbRF would seek a similar structure and returns on its
money; Gergawi said the Harvard endowment's investments had
returned almost 20 percent growth consistently on a yearly
basis. The MbRF will target spending 8-12% of its assets each
year on programs.



Broad Outreach Planned

--------------




4. (C) Gergawi discussed the ambitious scope of the Foundation's
target area. While it would initially focus on the Middle East,
the MbRF's work would soon reach into most countries with large
Muslim populations in Asia, South Asia and Africa, both North
and Sub-Saharan; as an example, he named Pakistan, India,
Bangladesh, Sudan, Mauretania, Tanzania, Niger and Chad. Gergawi
also noted that the MbRF would not/not be working in Saudi
Arabia, which he deemed as too much of a "political problem."
He also noted that no decision has been made about working in
Afghanistan, where the same concerns exist; the Ambassador
underscored the great need there.



Brainstorming with the U.S.

--------------




5. (C) The Ambassador emphasized the USG's enthusiasm for the
goals of the MbRF, noting that the time is right to begin a
dialogue on program ideas for the MbRF's consideration. She
presented the non-paper (Ref A),and reviewed a number of the
suggestions in it, including education exchanges, technology
development, curriculum development, schools, book translations,
media, business development and volunteerism. Gergawi responded
positively to the overall U.S. approach, but did not address any
of the ideas in detail. He was particularly enthusiastic about
the translation of books into Arabic. He emphasized that "we
need your help" in encouraging U.S. universities, NGOs and other
institutions (such as charitable foundations) with similar goals
to work with the MbRF.




6. (C) Given Gergawi's reminder that the MbRF wanted to avoid
direct collaboration with the USG or any foreign government (Ref
B),the Ambassador emphasized the USG sought to help the MbRF
"brainstorm" and make contact with appropriate and effective
educational and non-governmental organizations.




7. (C) The Ambassador noted many of the organizations listed in
the non-paper have done very successful work independent of the
USG or any other government, in challenging environments such as
Yemen, Egypt and Tunisia. The Ambassador emphasized that the USG
intention was to make it clear that we wanted to support the
MbRF's efforts and informally facilitate contacts with excellent
programs that were in synch with the Foundation's goals.
(Comment: Gergawi is focused on the "big picture" issues
regarding the foundation; the Mission and Washington will need
to follow up with the members of MbR's Executive Office and the
Booz Allen team as they work to put the flesh of ideas on the
MbRF's firm financial bones. End comment)



DUBAI 00000423 003 OF 005



An Emphasis on Education

--------------




8. (C) Gergawi said he was convinced that the most important
effort the MbRF can undertake in its start up phase is to focus
on improving educational opportunities, particularly for
disadvantaged youth. The overarching principle is to "elevate
people to a higher level"; he hoped the Foundation's work would
be a positive benchmark for other countries to follow. The
Ambassador posited, and Gergawi agreed, that education and job
opportunities are key to combating the spread of radicalism.
Gergawi also emphasized that education would help foster
"healthy competition" within the Muslim world.




9. (C) Gergawi said a key part of the MbRF's strategy will be to
provide post-graduate scholarships to promising young people
throughout the Muslim world in business and government. Students
would attend institutions in the west and in the region,
including the Dubai School of Government. Gergawi commented that
bringing students to Dubai provides them with a first hand look
at a regional success story - he said Dubai wanted to be a good
model for young people to take back to their countries,
particularly its openness, tolerance and focus on hard work.




10. (C) The MbRF would fund other types of university
scholarships, focusing on deserving but needy students as well
as those identified as potential leaders. Students would apply
directly to select universities and, once accepted, the
Foundation would pay their tuition. Gergawi asked the Ambassador
to consider how students bound for the U.S. (from the many
countries in which the MbRF would work) could be assisted in
moving through the visa process successfully. The Ambassador
responded that this would be an important aspect of USG/MbRF
coordination in the future. Asked by the Ambassador, Gergawi
said the MbRF was very much interested in working with the USG
to identify appropriate U.S. universities and other academic
institutions to work with the MbRF.




11. (C) Gergawi indicated potential education-related areas for
MbRF funding included using NGOs to help train school teachers,
focusing on the sciences. There would also be a special
emphasis on providing assistance to Palestinian refugees in
camps in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.



Assisting MBA Students Become Business People

-------------- -




12. (C) Gergawi said that programs that foster job creation
would be a strong priority for the MbRF. One such program under
consideration is a British scheme that provides MBA students
with loans to both fund their studies and subsequently start
their own businesses. The students either pay the money back or
engage in joint ventures with the loan provider upon completion
of the MBA. He also said funding universities to provide
business internships is under consideration.



Dubai: Seeking the Next Great Regional American University

-------------- --------------

DUBAI 00000423 004 OF 005






13. (C) Apart from the MbRF discussion, Gergawi asked the
Ambassador and the CG for help in bringing American universities
to the UAE. The Dubai government would like to see a "large
campus" rather than the "small-scale" ventures other American
universities had opened in the region. Citing the overwhelming
regional demand for quality American education, he hoped a new
university would be able to accommodate 4000-5000 students.




14. (C) Gergawi voiced frustration with, but Dubai's continuing
interest in, the University of Connecticut's now-stalled plans
to open a large campus in Dubai's Academic City (now under
construction). He said he hoped Senator Lieberman and Abe
Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League -- two recent visitors to
Dubai -- would help win over those in the Connecticut government
who raised objections (based on the UAE's official policy of not
admitting Israel passport holders to the country). On that
point, he noted Dubai had made an agreement with Harvard Medical
School, in the context of its work in Dubai Healthcare City
(DHC),to accept students from anywhere in the world. (Note:
Harvard Medical International (HMI) is a partner with Tatweer,
the developer of Heathcare City; HMI accredits DHC medical
personnel and is also working with Tatweer to develop a teaching
hospital. Tatweer is part of the Dubai Holdings group, headed
by Gergawi. End note.)




15. (C) Gergawi said he was personally enthusiastic about
further cooperation between Dubai and U.S. universities, and
urged the U.S. to use its "soft power" -- strength in education
-- to produce a positive impact in the region in the future. He
is convinced that "if the U.S. were to open the door (by helping
with the establishment of a large US university),people would
inevitably come to study" in Dubai from throughout the region,
including Syria, Iran and Iraq. This would have an important
positive and liberalizing impact. As a product of the U.S.
university system, he said his first choice for university
education would always be the U.S., but that Dubai may have to
look elsewhere if U.S. universities were hesitant. He cited the
recent, rapid establishment of an executive MBA program in the
Dubai International Financial Center by the London School of
Business; the program's student target for its first year was
30, but more than 200 students are now enrolled.



Post Recommendations

--------------




16. (C) The message from Gergawi remained clear and strongly
positive: He wants the MbRF to work with the USG closely, but
not directly or overtly. With Booz Allen working to flesh out
the next steps for the MbRF, we believe the time is ripe to
engage directly with the MbRF strategists who will be working on
specific programs and proposals. We suggest the following key
steps:



-- Overall consultations in Washington: The Ambassador suggested
Gergawi and other Foundation leaders (and likely Booz Allen
consultants) come to Washington and meet the key Department and
USG interlocutors over the summer to kick off the process of
coordination, and possibly review in detail the ideas provided
in the non-paper. Gergawi thought this was a good idea, and
said that he might travel to the U.S. in August himself.



DUBAI 00000423 005 OF 005



-- University matchmaking: Gergawi particularly emphasized the
MbRF's desire to have USG support in identifying appropriate
U.S. university partners, and encouraging them to work with the
MbRF (and to set up in a campus in Dubai). We believe that
responding to this request, perhaps through R, is an excellent
opportunity for the Department to establish a record of
successful indirect coordination with the MbRF.



-- Facilitating engagement with possible U.S. NGOs and
foundation partners: The Ambassador stressed U/S Hughes and her
office were keen to work with the MBRF to help create and
support linkages to potential U.S. NGO, foundation and private
sector partners.



-- Gergawi responded positively to both the idea of matchmaking
and help regarding linking up with U.S. NGOs and foundations.
We will follow up with him and the Executive Office on next
steps and a possible visit by an MbRF team to Washington.
SUTPHIN