US embassy cable - 04ABUDHABI2062

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 002062 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2009 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, TC 
SUBJECT: UAE CROWN PRINCE ADVISOR ON SAUDI INSTABILITY, 
HANDLING EXTREMISTS, BROADENING POLITICAL PARTICIPATION 
 
Ref: (A) Abu Dhabi 1766, (B) 03 Abu Dhabi 3146 
 
Classified by Richard A. Albright, Charge d'Affaires, 
a.i., reasons 1. 5 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador met on June 14 with 
Mohamed Habroush Al-Suweidi, chairman of the National 
Bank of Abu Dhabi and close advisor to the Al-Nahyan 
ruling family.  Their discussion covered the uncertain 
security situation in Saudi Arabia and its 
repercussions in the UAE, the disparities between the 
Northern Emirates and the wealthy emirates of Abu Dhabi 
and Dubai, the UAE's handling of extremists within its 
borders, and expanding the bounds of political 
participation in the UAE.  End Summary. 
 
Saudi security situation and repercussions in the UAE 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
2. (C) Habroush, who wields considerable political 
power behind the scenes through his close relationship 
with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Shaykh Khalifa and his 
membership on the Executive and Supreme Petroleum 
Councils of Abu Dhabi, said that the UAE is very 
concerned about the situation in Saudi Arabia.  He said 
further deterioration in the Kingdom's security 
situation would have major repercussions on the UAE, 
with Saudis fleeing to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.  The longer 
term political implications are far more serious, he 
warned.  Habroush argued that the Saudis need to act 
swiftly - even if it means borrowing from the banks -- 
to at least provide the basic material needs for the 
many disaffected and unemployed Saudis.  This should be 
the Saudis' first priority, he continued, because under 
Islam, the person who goes hungry or homeless is not 
bound by any of the rules.  There is no excuse for the 
Saudi ruling family not to act immediately to provide 
the basic material needs of their poorer subjects, he 
said.  The national dialogue on reform and women's 
issues is important, but it cannot become the only 
movement in Saudi Arabia.  "It is not enough to talk. 
They must act on the basic human needs and continue to 
talk about the broader social and political reform," 
Habroush said. 
 
Northern Emirates lagging behind Abu Dhabi and Dubai 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
3. (C) The Ambassador commented on the standard of 
living gap between the northern Emirates and the 
wealthier emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai and asked 
Habroush if that worried the rulers in light of events 
in Saudi Arabia.  He said that the federal government 
(meaning decision-makers in Abu Dhabi) would have to 
play a larger role in improving the livelihood of the 
northern Emirates, especially Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, 
and Fujairah.  He said Abu Dhabi is already 
accomplishing a lot in Fujairah, citing the 
desalinization project as one of the ways to generate 
employment opportunities and pump money into the local 
economy.  Shaykh Saud in Ras Al Khaimah is working 
diligently to attract projects to that Emirate and to 
improve education.  Abu Dhabi is supporting him as 
well, but Habroush added that "we need to do more for 
the northern Emirates because it is in our interest to 
do so." 
 
Extremists in the UAE and how to handle them 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
4. (C) The Ambassador inquired whether Habroush 
believed there was a growing presence of extremists in 
the UAE, and whether he thought the authorities were 
handling them effectively.  He said that the UAE has 
the luxury of having a fairly open and tolerant society 
where extremist thinking has not flourished. 
Nevertheless, he said it is important to remain 
vigilant and weed out those who have the capacity to 
lead others in a negative direction.  Because of the 
small size of the UAE population (4 million) and the 
very strong tribal and family bonds, it is important 
that the UAEG address the extremist element in a quiet 
and effective manner rather than in a heavy-handed way 
that could create more enemies.  "Some of the younger 
people believe we need to be heavy-handed with anyone 
showing extremist tendencies, but we advise against 
that because, as we have seen in other countries, you 
create more enemies that way." 
 
5. (C) (Comment: Habroush was clearly alluding to some 
within the ruling family circle in Abu Dhabi who are 
advocating for a more robust response to the extremists 
they identify.  When the Ambassador discussed this with 
Abu Dhabi Deputy Crown Prince and Chief of Staff of the 
UAE Armed Forces Shaykh Mohammed bin Zayed (ref A), he 
had told her that there were ongoing consultations on 
how best to handle the Muslim Brotherhood activists 
identified in civilian positions, and that no final 
decisions had been made.  We can assume Habroush is 
advocating with Crown Prince Khalifa and others to 
handle these extremists carefully through the tribal 
and clan structure, and not through harsher methods, 
which is what MbZ advocated for those he identified 
within the military.  End Comment.) 
 
Political participation 
----------------------- 
 
6. (C) As we reported a year ago (ref B), Habroush is 
one of those high-ranking Emiratis who believes that it 
is time for political openness in the UAE, through some 
form of elected or appointed Federal National Council, 
to give a voice to the people in the direction of the 
country.  He also mentioned the need for "more 
transparency in budget decisions and clearer lines 
between the 'public purse' and the 'private ruling 
family' purse.  People need to know how their country's 
resources are being spent." 
ALBRIGHT