UAE AFFIRMS SUPPORT DURING ECONOMIC RECOVERY

S E C R E T ABU DHABI 000737

SIPDIS
NOFORN

STATE FOR NEA/FO AND NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2019
TAGS: PREL EFIN ECON CVIS SOCI AE
SUBJECT: UAE AFFIRMS SUPPORT DURING ECONOMIC RECOVERY

Classified by Ambassador Richard Olson, reasons 1.4 (b, d).


1. (U) This cable contains an action request in para 18.


2. (C) Summary. On July 15, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner met
with UAE Government and finance officials to discuss developments in
the global economy, review U.S. measures to address the financial
crisis, and stress the importance of cooperation on regional issues
such as Iran and Afghanistan. Geithner met with Abu Dhabi Investment
Authority (ADIA) Managing Director Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed al Nahyan,
Central Bank Governor Sultan bin Nasser al Suweidi, Central Bank
Chairman Khalil al Foulathi, Deputy Finance Ministry Younis Khoury,
Abu Dhabi Department of Economy Chairman Nasser Suweidi, and Abu
Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC) Managing Director Khalifa al Kindi.
The Secretary was joined by Assistant Secretary David Cohen, Acting
Assistant Secretary Andy Baukol, Ambassador Olson and Treasury
Attach.


3. (U) Secretary Geithner also attended a breakfast with 11 leading
Emiratis to discuss the role of education in economic development in
the Gulf and various challenges facing the UAE in this regard. The
event was hosted by the U.S.- UAE Business Council and moderated by
the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna al Qassimi. Minister
of State Reem al-Hashemy and ALDAR Chairman Ahmed al Sayegh attended
among others. End Summary.

ABU DHABI SWFS EXAMINE US RECOVERY
--------------


4. (S) In meetings with senior officials from ADIA and ADIC,
Secretary Geithner reviewed U.S. and international progress on
addressing the financial crisis and restarting economic growth. He
also detailed efforts on financial sector reforms. ADIA MD Sheikh
Ahmed bin Zayed al Nahyan thanked the Secretary for his visit to Abu
Dhabi, characterized relations between the U.S. and Abu Dhabi on
financial issues as very strong, and expressed his commitment to
further enhance and deepen this relationship.


5. (S) Sheikh Ahmed praised the U.S. for its leadership and its swift
and unprecedented action to address the crisis and preserve the
financial system. He believes the U.S. is ahead of the rest of the
world in terms of implementing measures to address the crisis.
Sheikh Ahmed said that the U.S. is the top destination for ADIA
investment, and this will remain. He was confident that the U.S.
economy will remain the most important in the world, retaining its
status as the world's engine.


6. (S/NF) With respect to ADIA's balance sheet, Sheikh Ahmed stated
that investment reallocation may occur, including potential
reductions in investments, but not more than 5% of ADIA's total
assets. He said the adjustment was possible, but not certain, and
did not indicate any change in ADIA's fundamental view of the U.S.
Secretary Geithner thanked Sheikh Ahmed for his coordination on
issues of macro economic stability and encouraged ADIA to handle its
affairs in a manner consistent with furthering financial sector
stability and economic growth.


7. (S) Regarding the crisis, Sheikh Ahmed blamed 'huge greed' as the
trigger and pressed for solutions so the system will not be fragile
again. He pointed to the existence of a 'gambling tendency' as
responsible for significant damage to the financial sector, and
stated that this activity must stop. He called for a return to
efficient markets where prices reflect economic fundamentals, rather
than speculation. Sheikh Ahmed complained about wild swings in oil
prices that make it difficult for ADIA to manage its balance sheet -
whether the fluctuations are up or down. He complained that hedge
funds damage markets and asked if the U.S. would allow this situation
to continue. He hoped that U.S. efforts to reform financial sector
oversight would instill confidence for the future.


8. (S) ADIA and ADIC officials expressed concern about the value of
the dollar in light of highly expansionary fiscal and monetary
measures. They asked about noises from China and Russia suggesting
replacement of the dollar as the world reserve currency. ADIA shared
that 50% of its assets are dollar denominated, including major
holdings of Treasury securities.


9. (C) Secretary Geithner described the necessary deleveraging
process underway in the U.S. and steps to manage the process to avoid
collateral damage. Secretary Geithner explained broad U.S. strategy
to deal with the financial crisis, including efforts to address
issues globally through the G-20. He underlined U.S. commitment to a
strong dollar, low inflation and a quick return to fiscal discipline
once growth is firmly established. He expressed confidence in the
Federal Reserve's ability to rapidly unwind its expansionary monetary
policies when the time is right in order to avoid the onset of
inflation. He expressed confidence that U.S. banks are taking the
necessary steps to return to financial health. Geithner described
controlling health care cost as central to managing U.S. deficits
post-crisis and underlined U.S. resolve to work though the crisis, a
long process that will not be over quickly. Geithner characterized
Chinese and Russian statements on the dollar as politically motivated
remarks that do not reflect actual implementation of their financial
policies.


10. (C) ADIC MD Khalifa al Kindi reviewed Dubai's current economic
hardship. He expressed confidence that after a period of flat
growth, Dubai would bounce back as no other city in the region can
match its achievements. He questioned Secretary Geithner on the
Treasury Department's Public Private Investment Program, including
possible reactions should foreign investors ultimately reap healthy
profits. ADIC asked if any changes were planned for Section 892 of
the IRS code addressing taxation of income of foreign governments.
Secretary Geithner stated that the Treasury Department has looked at
it. He promised to return to ADIC with additional detail.

CENTRAL BANK ON THE REGIONAL ECONOMY
--------------


11. (S) Central Bank Governor Sultan al Suweidi reviewed impact of
the global crisis and slowdown on the UAE economy and financial
sector. He detailed UAEG measures to support the banking system and
restore confidence. The Governor expects further deterioration in
real estate assets in the UAE, but was confident the banking sector
could handle the adjustment. He mentioned plans to issue sovereign
debt at the federal level, a first for the UAE.


12. (S) In response to the Secretary's statements on the dollar, the
Governor assured him that the UAE is a strong supporter of the
dollar, and pointed to his recent public remarks to this effect. The
Governor asked if the U.S. Treasury was interested in the emergence
of another reserve currency. Geithner responded that having the
dollar as the reserve currency was good for the world and good for
the U.S.


13. (S) The Governor stated that at times the region runs short of
physical U.S. dollars and asked for the placement of cash dollars in
the UAE on consignment, should the region need it. He mentioned that
during times of regional instability, including possible conflict
with Iran, large number of people withdraw cash and flee, which can
cause complications if bills are not readily available. Secretary
Geithner promised to raise the issue with the Federal Reserve and
respond to the Governor.


14. (S) The Governor also asked about the possibility of swap
arrangement with the Fed that he said was offered during the last
administration. (NOTE: In 2008, officials from the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York met with the Governor. Embassy staff was not
included in the meeting, and therefore has no details on possible
discussions of a swap arrangement. END NOTE.) Secretary Geithner
expressed skepticism that the Fed would support this request, but
promised to pass it along.


EDUCATION AND THE ECONOMY
--------------


15. (U) During the breakfast event, Secretary Geithner explained that
a primary focus of his trip to the Gulf region was to follow up on
the vision laid out by President Obama in the Cairo speech to broaden
and deepen relations between the U.S. and the Muslim world. Geithner
was told of UAE's struggle to reclaim its educational system from an
incompetent bureaucracy and foreign national spreading Muslim
Brotherhood ideology. He learned of UAE efforts to modernize and
enhance its primary and secondary educational system to match the
standards set by leading international schools.


16. (U) Ahmed al Sayegh and Reem al Hashemy encouraged U.S.
institutions to step up their commitments to expand educational
opportunities in the UAE. They called for more direct investment in
education over inconsequential ventures like al Hurra TV. Maytha al
Habsi from Takatof talked about building relationships between
Emirati foundations and U.S. foundations. Secretary Geithner
suggested that they organize a conference of foundations.


17. (U) Reem al Hashemy spoke of the unbreakable bond with the U.S.
held by all Emiratis that attend university in America. Her
colleagues spoke of roundly positive experiences in America, living
with American families, and learning about American values. Reem
described herself and fellow nationals educated in the U.S. as
"ambassadors" for the Untied States, advocating for the U.S. in their
personal and professional lives. She said we need to create more
champions for the U.S. The guests uniformly lamented visa measures
instituted since 9/11 that have disqualified or discouraged scores of
Emiratis from studying in the U.S. While they acknowledged progress
in the last coupe of years, they declared the current state of
affairs as not good enough.

18. Action requests:


A. Address ADIC's question regarding Section 892 of the IRS code.

B. Respond to the Central Bank Governor regarding consignment of
dollars in the UAE.

C. Respond to the Central Bank Governor regarding the swap
arrangement.


19. (SBU) This cable has been cleared by Andy Baukol, Acting
Assistant Secretary for International Affairs.
GREENE