US embassy cable - 04ABUDHABI2179

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 002179 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/NGA AND NEA/ARP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2005 
TAGS: PREL, IZ, TC 
SUBJECT: UAE HAILS IRAQ SOVEREIGNTY TRANSFER 
 
 
Classified by Richard A. Albright, Charge d'Affaires, 
a.i., reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) The UAE Cabinet of Ministers hailed the 
transfer of power to the Interim Iraqi Government at 
its weekly session on June 28, and Embassy contacts in 
the UAE foreign policy apparatus commented that the 
long-awaited transfer of power should give a boost to 
U.S. diplomacy, particularly in the Arab world. 
 
2. (U) The UAE Cabinet chaired by Shaykh Sultan bin 
Zayed Al-Nahyan, welcomed the early transfer of 
sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government, and 
reaffirmed its continued support for the Iraqi 
government.  A statement after the meeting noted the 
Cabinet's confidence that Iraqis would be able to 
overcome the present situation and rally behind their 
government.  "This will enable Iraq to reassume the 
role to which it aspires at a regional and 
international level," the statement said.  The Cabinet 
also appealed to regional and international parties to 
provide support to the Iraqi Government and to 
facilitate its mission to maintain stability and 
security, and to rebuild the country. 
 
3. (C) At the Foreign Ministry, some of our regular 
contacts said the early transfer of sovereignty came 
as a total surprise to them, but all greeted the 
change as an important step for U.S. diplomacy and for 
Iraq's reconstruction and return to stability.  "We 
are relieved for you," said Yacub Al-Hosani, director 
of International Organizations, whose portfolio 
includes UN affairs.  "For Iraqis, this is a chance 
for them to accomplish things on their own.  It also 
allows their new leadership to demonstrate that they 
have the authority, but also to demonstrate their 
capacity to control the situation, even if it means 
taking some tough measures to restore order and 
stability."  The UAE, he added, has always been ready 
to explore ways it can help the Iraqi people. 
 
4. (C) Shaykha Nejla, an assistant to Under Secretary 
Abdullah Rashid Al-Nuaimi, said that the transfer of 
power saved U.S. diplomacy and should make it easier 
for U.S. diplomats to conduct their business, 
especially in the Arab world.  "There had been so many 
questions among Arabs about U.S. credibility.  There 
were questions about your role in Iraq.  It was time 
to leave (Iraq) without being subjected to more 
criticism and violence," she said. 
 
5. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. 
ALBRIGHT