Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUDHABI1180
2009-12-21 11:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
UAE CONCERNED BY REPEAT BOYCOTT OFFENDERS
how-toVZCZCXYZ1718 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHAD #1180 3551147 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 211146Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0052 INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 0001
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001180
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP (MCGOVERN),NEA/RA (MKELLY)
STATE PLEASE PASS USTR (MOWREY, BUNTIN)
COMMERCE FOR BIS/OIC
TREASURY FOR DAVID JOY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECON KBCT AE
SUBJECT: UAE CONCERNED BY REPEAT BOYCOTT OFFENDERS
REF: A) ABU DHABI 1123; 11/27/09 KELLY EMAIL
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001180
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP (MCGOVERN),NEA/RA (MKELLY)
STATE PLEASE PASS USTR (MOWREY, BUNTIN)
COMMERCE FOR BIS/OIC
TREASURY FOR DAVID JOY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECON KBCT AE
SUBJECT: UAE CONCERNED BY REPEAT BOYCOTT OFFENDERS
REF: A) ABU DHABI 1123; 11/27/09 KELLY EMAIL
1. (SBU) On December 20, EconOff presented Ref B USDOC list of
Jan-Jun 2009 UAE prohibited boycott requests to Ministry of Economy
Executive Director for Commercial Affairs
(Undersecretary-equivalent) Humaid Bin Butti. EconOff highlighted
the large number of UAE requests compared to others in the region,
and the significant number of firms, including telecom giant
Etisalat, that continue to include boycott language in tenders and
contracts. Bin Butti said the numbers may be reflective of strong
US-UAE commercial ties, including in trade and services. EconOff
agreed that this was one factor, but that the number of reports
could not be explained by trade alone.
2. (SBU) Bin Butti was particularly concerned by the presence of
firms, such as Etisalat and the Federal Electricity and Water
Authority, who the Ministry had previously contacted and alerted to
UAEG boycott regulations. He admitted that this is an indication
that the Ministry's outreach efforts are not fully successful and
said the Ministry will reconsider how to approach offending firms.
Bin Butti also noted that the majority of the firms are established
government-related entities who should be well aware of UAE boycott
policies. In some cases, he predicted a high-level meeting might
be required to stress to the involved firm the importance of
compliance with government policies. EconOff told Bin Butti that
BIS/OIC officials are expected to visit in late January and will
hope to meet with him to discuss the Ministry's efforts.
OLSON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP (MCGOVERN),NEA/RA (MKELLY)
STATE PLEASE PASS USTR (MOWREY, BUNTIN)
COMMERCE FOR BIS/OIC
TREASURY FOR DAVID JOY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECON KBCT AE
SUBJECT: UAE CONCERNED BY REPEAT BOYCOTT OFFENDERS
REF: A) ABU DHABI 1123; 11/27/09 KELLY EMAIL
1. (SBU) On December 20, EconOff presented Ref B USDOC list of
Jan-Jun 2009 UAE prohibited boycott requests to Ministry of Economy
Executive Director for Commercial Affairs
(Undersecretary-equivalent) Humaid Bin Butti. EconOff highlighted
the large number of UAE requests compared to others in the region,
and the significant number of firms, including telecom giant
Etisalat, that continue to include boycott language in tenders and
contracts. Bin Butti said the numbers may be reflective of strong
US-UAE commercial ties, including in trade and services. EconOff
agreed that this was one factor, but that the number of reports
could not be explained by trade alone.
2. (SBU) Bin Butti was particularly concerned by the presence of
firms, such as Etisalat and the Federal Electricity and Water
Authority, who the Ministry had previously contacted and alerted to
UAEG boycott regulations. He admitted that this is an indication
that the Ministry's outreach efforts are not fully successful and
said the Ministry will reconsider how to approach offending firms.
Bin Butti also noted that the majority of the firms are established
government-related entities who should be well aware of UAE boycott
policies. In some cases, he predicted a high-level meeting might
be required to stress to the involved firm the importance of
compliance with government policies. EconOff told Bin Butti that
BIS/OIC officials are expected to visit in late January and will
hope to meet with him to discuss the Ministry's efforts.
OLSON