Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUDHABI424
2008-04-03 14:13:00
SECRET
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS MESA SEAT - UAE CONSIDERING

Tags:  KNNP ENRG PREL IAEA AORC SY AE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2341
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHAD #0424 0941413
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 031413Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0717
INFO RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA IMMEDIATE 0078
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 000424 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/RA AND IO/T

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2018
TAGS: KNNP ENRG PREL IAEA AORC SY AE
SUBJECT: IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS MESA SEAT - UAE CONSIDERING

REF: SECSTATE 34113

Classified By: Martin Quinn, Charge d'Affaires a.i., for reasons 1.4 (b
& d).

S E C R E T ABU DHABI 000424

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/RA AND IO/T

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2018
TAGS: KNNP ENRG PREL IAEA AORC SY AE
SUBJECT: IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS MESA SEAT - UAE CONSIDERING

REF: SECSTATE 34113

Classified By: Martin Quinn, Charge d'Affaires a.i., for reasons 1.4 (b
& d).


1. (S) Econchief took the opportunity of a April 3 meeting
with MFA Director of International Organizations Yacub
Al-Hosani to quietly urge the UAE to run for the open MESA
seat on the IAEA Board of Governors. He applauded the UAE's
desire to serve as a regional role model for the responsible
development of peaceful nuclear power and the USG's belief
that the now would be an ideal time for the UAE to consider
its candidacy for the open IAEA board seat. Econchief
explained that the USG would need to maintain an official
policy of neutrality on who would be elected to fill regional
group openings, but believed that the UAE would be a superior
choice. Al-Hosani was not immediately opposed to the idea,
noting that the UAEG would need to consider the issue and
"bring in the technical side" of the government, presumably
to see if the UAEG could effectively serve on the board of
governors. He asked when the election would be and, when
informed that it would be in September, said "good, we have
time."


2. (S) The same day, Econchief discussed the issue with Hamad
Al-Kaabi, the UAE's coordinator for the development of
peaceful nuclear power. In addition to making the above
points, econchief noted that, given the UAE's interest in
rapidly evaluating and developing peaceful nuclear power,
board membership should help facilitate cooperation with the
IAEA that membership on the board of governors could have.
Al-Kaabi thanked Econchief for the USG's support and promised
to consider the suggestion.


3. (S) Comment: Both Al-Hosani and Al-Kaabi were not
initially opposed to the idea that the UAE compete for the
board position, despite the competing candidacy of Syria.
Ultimately, however, a UAE decision to compete is not just a
technical, but a political one. The UAE will need to
consider, carefully, how this impacts its overall goal of
maintaining friendly relations with its Arab neighbors. Post
agrees with Department's goal to keep this discussion
"discrete," as the UAE is especially sensitive to any
insinuations that it is a tool of the USG. Much of the
discussion with Al-Hosani dealt with the UAEG's
disappointment that information shared with the USG (NFI) was
being leaked to the press (septel). End Comment.
QUINN