UAEG AVOIDS AID RELATED TO AFGHAN ELECTIONS

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001370 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID KDEM MASS AF AE SUBJECT: UAEG AVOIDS AID RELATED TO AFGHAN ELECTIONS REF: A) ABU DHABI 1291, B) STATE 108855 Sensitive but unclassified; please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) In addition to conversations noted Ref A regarding UAEG aid to Afghanistan, Post reiterated Ref B request for assistance to ensure smooth 2009 Afghan elections as a diplomatic note. The MFA's formal reply (text in para two) reiterates the UAEG's preference for humanitarian aid without political overtones. This posture matches Assistant Under Secretary for Political Affairs Dr. Tariq al-Haidan's public statements in late November that UAEG pledges to Afghanistan stood at $550 million (2002-08) with a focus on infrastructure, health, and education. ¶2. (SBU) Informal translation of UAE diplomatic note 1984 dated 25 Nov 2008: Begin text: (Complimentary opening) In reference to Embassy note #1000 of 29 Oct 2008 on the topic of the 2009 Afghan elections, the Ministry advises that the UAE will focus solely on humanitarian aid in Afghanistan without interference in Afghan elections, whether presidential, local, or parliamentary elections. (Complementary closing) End text. OLSON