Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUDHABI585
2009-06-11 12:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
UAE INTERESTED IN DOE/NNSA COOPERATION, MOU
how-toVZCZCXRO6366 RR RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR DE RUEHAD #0585 1621228 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 111228Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2583 INFO RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 8310 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0096 RUEANFA/NRC WASHINGTON DC RHMFIUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RUEHZM/GCC COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000585
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, ISN/RA (STUKALIN),ISN/MNSA (RUDOLPH) AND
ISN/NESS (HUMPHREY)
NRC FOR MDOANE, MFREELAND
DOE FOR NNSA (VAN SICKLE, MCCLELLAND-KERR)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG TRGY AORC KNNP OTRA AE
SUBJECT: UAE INTERESTED IN DOE/NNSA COOPERATION, MOU
REFS: A) STATE 57671
B) ABU DHABI 491
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000585
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, ISN/RA (STUKALIN),ISN/MNSA (RUDOLPH) AND
ISN/NESS (HUMPHREY)
NRC FOR MDOANE, MFREELAND
DOE FOR NNSA (VAN SICKLE, MCCLELLAND-KERR)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG TRGY AORC KNNP OTRA AE
SUBJECT: UAE INTERESTED IN DOE/NNSA COOPERATION, MOU
REFS: A) STATE 57671
B) ABU DHABI 491
1. (SBU) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST. In response to reftel request,
the Ambassador and EconOff discussed DOE/NNSA's interest in pursuing
nuclear infrastructure cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MFA),Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and
the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC). All officials
expressed strong interest in cooperation with DOE/NNSA and requested
further details about what type of cooperation is possible and when
in July DOE/NNSA hopes to visit the UAE. As local officials may
face some schedule challenges in July, post requests additional
details to solicit UAE support for a visit. END SUMMARY AND ACTION
REQUEST.
2. (SBU) FANR: Dr. Bill Travers, Director General-designate, Federal
Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR, under formation) told the
Ambassador that FANR is very interested in pursuing formal safety
and security cooperation with DOE/NNSA and the NRC. To that end,
Travers suggested that a joint DOE-NRC visit may be appropriate to
outline the full range of official US-UAE nuclear cooperation.
Travers asked for specific details on the timing of a July DOE/NNSA
visit, as officials availability may be limited.
3. (SBU) ENEC: Mohammed Al Hammadi, CEO, Emirates Nuclear Energy
Corporation (ENEC, under formation) told the Ambassador on June 11
that he was very interested in cooperation with DOE after meeting
with DOE officials in Washington. Al Hammadi said he was very
interested in an MOU with DOE/NNSA and was also encouraging FANR to
complete an MOU with the NRC, both of which would assist in giving
the UAE program "credibility." Al Hammadi asked for details on
specific programs and areas of cooperation that are possible. He
added that the UAE nuclear power tender bids are due in early July,
and key officials will be holding substantive negotiations with
bidders in July. However, he was optimistic they could make time
for USG discussions.
4. (SBU) MFA: Hamad Al Kaabi, MFA Special Representative for
International Nuclear Cooperation and UAE Permanent Representative
to the IAEA, suggested to EconOff on June 10 that the MFA will help
facilitate a meeting of appropriate UAE and US nuclear officials in
July.
5. (SBU) Comment. While the interest is clearly there, a July visit
may be a challenge. The UAE nuclear tender (Ref B) negotiations
will involve many of our key UAE interlocutors. The draft UAE
nuclear law, which will formally establish FANR and ENEC, may be
finalized in July, but an exact date is unknown. Further, many UAE
officials may be on leave in July. With additional details on visit
objectives, Post will urge local parties to commit. End Comment.
OLSON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, ISN/RA (STUKALIN),ISN/MNSA (RUDOLPH) AND
ISN/NESS (HUMPHREY)
NRC FOR MDOANE, MFREELAND
DOE FOR NNSA (VAN SICKLE, MCCLELLAND-KERR)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG TRGY AORC KNNP OTRA AE
SUBJECT: UAE INTERESTED IN DOE/NNSA COOPERATION, MOU
REFS: A) STATE 57671
B) ABU DHABI 491
1. (SBU) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST. In response to reftel request,
the Ambassador and EconOff discussed DOE/NNSA's interest in pursuing
nuclear infrastructure cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MFA),Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and
the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC). All officials
expressed strong interest in cooperation with DOE/NNSA and requested
further details about what type of cooperation is possible and when
in July DOE/NNSA hopes to visit the UAE. As local officials may
face some schedule challenges in July, post requests additional
details to solicit UAE support for a visit. END SUMMARY AND ACTION
REQUEST.
2. (SBU) FANR: Dr. Bill Travers, Director General-designate, Federal
Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR, under formation) told the
Ambassador that FANR is very interested in pursuing formal safety
and security cooperation with DOE/NNSA and the NRC. To that end,
Travers suggested that a joint DOE-NRC visit may be appropriate to
outline the full range of official US-UAE nuclear cooperation.
Travers asked for specific details on the timing of a July DOE/NNSA
visit, as officials availability may be limited.
3. (SBU) ENEC: Mohammed Al Hammadi, CEO, Emirates Nuclear Energy
Corporation (ENEC, under formation) told the Ambassador on June 11
that he was very interested in cooperation with DOE after meeting
with DOE officials in Washington. Al Hammadi said he was very
interested in an MOU with DOE/NNSA and was also encouraging FANR to
complete an MOU with the NRC, both of which would assist in giving
the UAE program "credibility." Al Hammadi asked for details on
specific programs and areas of cooperation that are possible. He
added that the UAE nuclear power tender bids are due in early July,
and key officials will be holding substantive negotiations with
bidders in July. However, he was optimistic they could make time
for USG discussions.
4. (SBU) MFA: Hamad Al Kaabi, MFA Special Representative for
International Nuclear Cooperation and UAE Permanent Representative
to the IAEA, suggested to EconOff on June 10 that the MFA will help
facilitate a meeting of appropriate UAE and US nuclear officials in
July.
5. (SBU) Comment. While the interest is clearly there, a July visit
may be a challenge. The UAE nuclear tender (Ref B) negotiations
will involve many of our key UAE interlocutors. The draft UAE
nuclear law, which will formally establish FANR and ENEC, may be
finalized in July, but an exact date is unknown. Further, many UAE
officials may be on leave in July. With additional details on visit
objectives, Post will urge local parties to commit. End Comment.
OLSON