IRAQI CHARGE IN ABU DHABI UPBEAT ON RELATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000443

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2019
TAGS: PREL IZ AE
SUBJECT: IRAQI CHARGE IN ABU DHABI UPBEAT ON RELATIONS

Classified by Charge d'Affaires Douglas Greene, reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).

(C) The Iraqi Charge to the UAE (in the job for a few months) gave
POL Chief an upbeat assessment of Iraq's bilateral relations with the
UAE on April 28. Intisar F. al-Dawdi, a well-spoken (in Arabic)
diplomat who claims over 20 years at the Iraqi MFA, says this is her
first overseas assignment (stating the prior regime restricted female
MFA personnel to Baghdad). She had no information on the eventual
naming of an Iraqi Ambassador, yet gave the following views about her
work and UAE-Iraq relations.

--- Communications between the Iraqi MFA and the Embassy are good and
she feels like her Mission is appropriately resourced and staffed
(with 11 people, some hired locally). (Note: This is in sharp
contrast to her predecessor, who routinely noted the lack of clear
direction and staffing support from Baghdad and may reflect Ms.
al-Dawdi's desire to put a good face on her Mission. End note.) She
noted the importance of "quality" staffing as opposed to simple
quantity as a key concern throughout the Iraqi MFA.

--- The new Iraqi chancery and ambassador's residence under
construction in the Embassies Area of Abu Dhabi should be ready for
occupancy in September and is fully-funded by the GoI. (She again
asserted that resources are ample to the task and insisted that the
UAEG was not lending financial support to Embassy construction,
although the UAEG had negotiated a land swap in exchange for space to
build its Embassy in Baghdad. One MFA official has implied that the
UAEG may be assisting with construction costs.)

--- She recalled the steps the UAEG has taken in support of Iraq and
claimed her access to the UAEG is excellent. Evidence of positive
ties included the UAE having been the first: 1) Arab Foreign Minister
to visit Baghdad, 2) Arab country to forgive Iraqi debt, and 3) Arab
nation to staff up an Embassy. She said there are no outstanding
issues with debt forgiveness, asserting that all paperwork is
finalized and Iraq's burden has been lifted in that regard. Her
impression of the UAE Ambassador in Baghdad was that he is actively
and purposefully engaged with the GoI, although the staffing and
facilities of the UAE Mission are still a work in progress.

--- She gave a characteristic review of the need for Iraq to overcome
sectarianism and solidify stability. In spite of (previous and
recent) reports of violence in Iraq the people have no choice but to
go on about life and make what improvements they can -- she chose to
be optimistic.

--- Regarding recent press reports about an agreement between the UAE
(Abu Dhabi Police under direction of the Minister of Interior) to
train Iraqi police, she said that is a minor training opportunity for
only 20 "community police" and had been exaggerated in the media.
(The Ministry of Interior similarly downplayed the importance of this
program in a separate conversation with Pol Chief.)

--- UAE investments in Baghdad are encouraging, with some focus on
the development of "Camp Rasheed" (apparently a new commercial area)
near Baghdad.

--- Estimates of the number of Iraqis in the UAE vary from well over
140,000, to about 75,000 clearly-identified long-term residents.
Some, but the Charge suggested not so many, are involved in business
enterprises involving Iraq.

--- One of the Iraqi Mission's primary frustrations is visas for
Iraqis to enter the UAE. She said this was not a new trend, but a
continuing challenge of some years standing. Rather than complain,
she acknowledged security-related concerns that likely drive the UAEG
policy.

--- The Charge was upbeat on U.S.-Iraq relations as well.
GREENE