UAE REACTION TO BAHRAIN CP OP-ED ON DIALOGUE WITH ISRAEL

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000757 SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV IS AE SUBJECT: UAE REACTION TO BAHRAIN CP OP-ED ON DIALOGUE WITH ISRAEL REF A: STATE 76108; REF B: ABU DHABI 746 REF C: ABU DHABI 599 ¶1. (U) Bahraini CP Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al Khalifa's July 17 Washington Post Op-Ed calling on Arab countries to reach out directly to Israel to generate progress toward Middle East peace (ref A) was reprinted in the Emirati Arabic Daily "al-Ittihad" with the title "Arabs have to engage the Israelis" on July 19. As of July 23 there have not been any comments or editorials on the Op-Ed in the local press. ¶2. (C) Comment: Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed (MbZ, also Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and de facto defense chief) privately characterized the Bahraini leaders Op-Ed as "courageous." The best chance for early, public engagement by the UAEG with Israel will be with the establishment of IRENA headquarters in Abu Dhabi (early next year). The Emiratis have promised Israeli representatives will be full members and participants in the new international organization. GREENE