SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: IRENA HEADQUARTERS IN UAE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000665 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/PPD; NEA/RA; INR/R/MR; PA; INR/NESA; INR/B; RRU-NEA; EEB/ESC/IEC/ENR (MONOSSON, SECOR); OES/EGC (THOMPSON) IIP/G/NEA-SA WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC SECDEF FOR OASD/PA USCINCCENT FOR POLAD LONDON FOR SREEBNY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OIIP KMDR TCSENV KGHG SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: IRENA HEADQUARTERS IN UAE ¶1. Summary: UAE's print and electronic media devoted extensive coverage to the UAE's selection as the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). UAE Supreme Council members and senior officials sent cables of congratulations to the UAE president on this diplomatic success. Semi-official Abu Dhabi-based Arabic daily "Al-Ittihad" and Sharjah-based daily "Al-Khaleej" each devoted five pages to the story including local, Arabic and international reactions to "this unprecedented achievement of UAE diplomacy". Editorials praised the decision to choose Abu Dhabi as the IRENA headquarters, attributing the victory to the UAE leadership and its diplomacy, and to the infrastructure that makes Abu Dhabi the right venue to host such an agency. End Summary. ¶2. Sample Headlines: -- Front-page headline in Abu Dhabi-based Arabic semi-official daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation 65,000): "Nationwide joy at UAE's win of IRENA headquarters; Expectations of a positive impact on development projects in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed: The UAE is proud to host IRENA and this is an award to every Arab person." -- Additional inside-page headlines in "Al-Ittihad": "Economists: "Selecting the UAE as IRENA headquarters reinforces the UAE's pioneering stature in the field of energy"; UAE officials: "Selecting UAE as IRENA headquarters reflects the success of the UAE's foreign diplomacy; UAE officials and experts see winning IRENA headquarters as a sign of global recognition of the UAE's progressive role." -- Abu Dhabi-based Arabic "Akhbar Al-Arab" (Circulation 20,000) banners: "Kalifa and Mohammed Bin Zayed receive cables of congratulations. Abu Dhabi has been selected as headquarters of IRENA. Mohammed Bin Rashed: This achievement embodies the excellent stance of the UAE in international forums." -- Abu Dhabi-based English daily The National (circulation 20,000) front page: "The UAE wins IRENA headquarters; Environmental agency to have headquarters in Masdar City as rivals agree to host satellite offices after hard-fought global campaign" ¶3. Under the headline "Irena Headquarters decision is the right one", Dubai-based English daily Gulf News published the following editorial on 06/30 (circulation 95,000): "The vote takes note of the responsible way that the UAE is playing an increasingly important role in foreign affairs. It takes note of the UAE's consistent position in favor of negotiations and rational discussion, and against violence and prejudice. The vote also takes note of the UAE's important position in the energy community, and how it has been planning ahead not just for the next decade, but looking for a long-term sustainable future for mankind, which is what the work of IRENA is all about." ¶4. Under the headline "Thank You", Habib Al-Sayegh, wrote an op-ed in Sharjah-based Arabic daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 90,000): "The success of UAE's diplomacy after huge efforts taken during the past six months does not just reflect a mere success but also reflects the success of the UAE people, UAE foundations and the national system and planning. True the effort was collaborative but it was Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed who took abnormal steps and stood out. We hope this successful work will be taken as a model for all our UAE citizens and organizations." ¶5. Under the headline "Finally...IRENA is here", Ali Al-Amoudi, wrote in his daily column in Abu Dhabi-based Arabic semi-official daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation 65,000): "Congratulations to all of us. We thank whoever said yes to the UAE for hosting the IRENA headquarters. The UAE represents the most qualified country to host IRENA." ABU DHABI 00000665 002.2 OF 002 OLSON