US embassy cable - 04ABUDHABI3955

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 ABU DHABI 003955 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA AND INR/B 
 
STATE ALSO PASS TO USTR 
 
NOFORN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, PREL, TC 
SUBJECT: Cabinet reshuffle enhances stability ahead of 
leadership transition 
 
Ref: (A) Abu Dhabi 3855, (B) Abu Dhabi 3410, (C) Abu Dhabi 
1197 
 
(U) Classified by Richard A. Albright, Charge d'Affaires, 
a.i., reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Summary: The UAE leadership announced a ministerial 
reshuffle late the evening November 1.  The reshuffle 
further solidified the Al Nahyan control and rejuvenated 
the Cabinet with several younger technocrats, while 
retaining Dubai's Al Maktoum hierarchy in their titular 
federal roles. UAE President Sheikh Zayed's failing health 
(see reftels) makes the timing of these changes 
particularly significant because they put in place a new 
Cabinet, with Zayed's seal of approval, before the actual 
political transition occurs.  The new 21-member Cabinet 
includes seven new members, three newly consolidated 
ministries, and the UAE's first-ever woman minister.  End 
Summary. 
 
 
Reshuffle enhances stability ahead of leadership transition 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
 
2. (C) Except for the appointment of Minister of State for 
Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed as Deputy Prime 
Minister in October 2003, the Cabinet had been unchanged 
since March 1997.  During the past year, both Abu Dhabi 
Deputy Crown Prince and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Sheikh 
Mohammed bin Zayed (MbZ) and his brother, de facto Foreign 
Minister, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed (HbZ) told the Ambassador 
that they were planning to breathe new life into what had 
become a dysfunctional cabinet.  They wanted to remove non- 
performing ministers and replace them with more technocrats 
and people of greater vision.  In fact, the reason the very 
capable HbZ was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in October 
2003 was to have him manage the new cabinet and help 
reinvigorate the UAE federal process.  (Note: MbZ told 
former Ambassador Wahba in April that replacing titular 
Prime Minister Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid would be key to 
making other major ministerial changes.  That has not yet 
happened, but it seems likely that Sheikh Zayed's failing 
health was enough to precipitate these limited, but 
welcome, changes even with Maktoum's continued presence on 
the scene.  Maktoum, who has never exercised much authority 
in either his roles as Ruler of Dubai or as UAE Vice 
President, has desired to retire for some time.  It appears 
that the Al Nahyan are retaining him as Vice President and 
Prime Minister for now, to maintain a stable transition 
and, perhaps, also because there is not another emirate 
ruler who presents a viable alternative.  End note.) 
 
3. (C) Once again, the Bani Fatima (the six sons of Sheikh 
Zayed and his most influential wife Fatima) have added to 
their power and influence with the appointment of Mansour 
bin Zayed to the Cabinet.  He joins full brothers Hamdan 
and Abdullah under the leadership of Abu Dhabi Deputy Crown 
Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.  Full brothers Hazza and 
Tahnoun are, respectively, head of the intelligence 
services and chairman of the President's Private Department 
which oversees Zayed's private investments. 
 
The new Cabinet lineup 
------------------------ 
 
4. (S/NF) The following is a description of the newly 
reconstituted Cabinet of Ministers, including brief 
profiles of each Minister: 
 
-- Prime Minister:  UAE Vice President Sheikh Maktoum bin 
Rashid Al Maktoum is the Ruler of Dubai, the second most 
powerful emirate in the UAE.  Although he assumed titular 
power upon his father's death in 1990, he mostly left the 
running of the emirate to his two younger brothers, Hamdan 
bin Rashid and Mohammed bin Rashid; and likewise left the 
prime minister role to Deputy Prime Ministers Hamdan bin 
Zayed and Sultan bin Zayed.  His role in the Federal 
Government is that of a figurehead.  He spends most of his 
time in London. 
 
-- Deputy Prime Minister:  Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al 
Nahyan is the second eldest son of the President.  Sultan 
has a history of alcohol and chemical dependency and has 
spent some time in psychiatric institutions.  The 
appointment of his younger half-brother MbZ as Deputy Crown 
Prince of Abu Dhabi in November 2003, effectively took him 
out of the running to be Ruler of Abu Dhabi.  His official 
duty in chairing the Council of Ministers in the absence of 
Prime Minister Maktoum is largely titular. 
 
-- Minister of Finance and Industry:  Dubai Deputy Ruler 
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the titular Finance 
Minister, though Minister of State for Finance Kharbash (a 
fellow Dubayyan) actually fills most aspects of the Finance 
Minister role for the UAE.  Hamdan concentrates on the 
municipal and financial affairs of Dubai emirate. 
 
-- Minister of Defense:  Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed 
bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MbR) is the most dynamic and pro- 
business leader in the UAE, and is also one of our most 
important contacts.  MbR and MbZ have developed a good 
rapport over the years, and they generally cooperate 
closely on most federal-level decisions.  Armed Forces 
Chief of Staff Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed is the real 
decision-maker in the military. 
 
-- Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of State for Foreign 
Affairs:  Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan (HbZ) is a son 
of President Sheikh Zayed and Sheikha Fatima.  As the de 
facto Foreign Minister since 1990, HbZ is highly capable 
and works to cement political and economic ties with UAE's 
key partners.  He plays a critical role in coordinating 
policy among the seven emirates and exerting discipline in 
the Cabinet.  He is well briefed on substance and an 
engaging interlocutor. 
 
-- [NEW MINISTER] Minister of Interior: Major General 
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a former Under Secretary 
at the Ministry of Interior and is also the Director 
General of the Abu Dhabi Police.  Sheikh Saif is a 
powerful, respected, and feared son of Zayed.  He is 
autocratic, delegating little authority to his 
subordinates.  He is a graduate of UAE University in Al- 
Ain, and he studied English in the UK where he also 
attended a training program for police at Scotland Yard. 
He is a good friend of the U.S. and pays close attention to 
Embassy security. 
 
-- [NEW CABINET POSITION] Minister for Presidential 
Affairs:  Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan was formerly 
Director General for Presidential Affairs.  He is one of 
the six sons of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikha Fatima.  Mansour 
plays a powerful behind-the-scenes role in controlling 
access to Sheikh Zayed.  It is unclear whether this role 
will continue when Crown Prince Khalifa assumes the 
presidency.  In addition he is Deputy Chairman of the 
Sheikh Zayed Charitable Foundation, and Chairman of the 
International Petroleum Investment Corporation.  Mansour 
was an English student at Santa Barbara Community College 
in 1989.  He speaks English well, but his academic record 
was poor. 
 
-- Minister of Information and Culture:  Sheikh Abdullah 
bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the youngest of the sons of Sheikh 
Zayed and Sheikha Fatima.  He has been a moderating 
influence on UAE media and has expanded free press in the 
UAE since taking office in 1997.  Sheikh Abdullah has been 
a reformer by nature.  He has chaired the bilateral 
Strategic Partnership meetings, has many contacts in the 
U.S., and speaks English fluently. 
 
-- [MERGER] Minister of Education:  Sheikh Nahyan is the 
former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific 
Research.  He is also Chancellor of all the public 
universities in the UAE.  Sheikh Nahyan is a leading 
advocate of education reform in the UAE who is sometimes 
attacked by religious conservatives for his emphasis on 
women's education and refusal to limit access to the 
Internet.  His appointment to this expanded portfolio bodes 
well for reform and bilateral cooperation.  (Note: The 
merger of education ministries represents a reunion of a 
single ministry that had existed until 1992 when the 
Ministry of Higher Education was split off from the 
Ministry of Education.  End note.) 
 
-- [NEW MINISTER] Minister of Public Works: Sheikh Hamdan 
bin Mubarak Al Nahyan is the new Minister of Public Works. 
He is a younger brother of Minister of Education, Sheikh 
Nahyan.  He is currently the chairman of the Abu Dhabi 
Department of Civil Aviation and a member of the Abu Dhabi 
Executive Council. 
 
-- [MERGER, MINISTER WITH CHANGED PORTFOLIO] Minister of 
Supreme Council and GCC Affairs:  Formerly Minister of 
Economy and Commerce, Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi has 
previously served as the UAE's permanent representative to 
the UN and Secretary General of the GCC.  He holds an MA in 
political science from Johns Hopkins (SAIS).  He is a 
cousin to the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Emirate.  He is 
married to an American. 
 
-- Minister of Foreign Affairs:  Rashid Abdullah Al Nuaimi 
is a figurehead whose role is largely confined to 
representing the UAE in international fora and ceremonial 
gatherings.  As a native of small Ajman emirate, he has 
little influence in Abu Dhabi.  HbZ dominates the Ministry 
and makes all significant decisions.  Rashid Abdullah is 
well disposed to the U.S. and his son is the very effective 
Under Secretary, the top career position in the MFA. 
 
-- Minister of Health:  Hamad Abdul Rahman Al Madfa has a 
MA in Political Science from John Hopkins University.  He 
was appointed for the second time as Health Minister in 
1996, and previously held several diplomatic appointments, 
including Charge d'Affaires to the United States, 
Ambassador to Iraq (1975-1977) and Ambassador to United 
States and Mexico (1977-1979). 
 
-- Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs:  Saeed Khalfan Al 
Ghaith is from Dubai and has been dealing with cabinet 
affairs since approximately 1977.  His office functions as 
a secretariat to the federal cabinet and a liaison between 
the Cabinet and the individual ministries. 
 
-- Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries:  Saeed Mohammad 
Al Raqabani has been Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries 
since at least 1977, and has been involved in politics 
since the formation of the UAE.  A native of the Emirate of 
Fujairah. 
 
-- Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Awqaf: 
Mohammed Nakhira Al Daheri has been Minister of Justice, 
Islamic Affairs and Awqaf since March 1997.  He left the 
military to become UAE Attorney General in 1992 and served 
in that position until he was promoted to his present 
position in 1997. 
 
-- Minister of State for Financial and Industrial Affairs: 
Dr. Mohammed Khalfan bin Kharbash continues in his role as 
the Minister of State (and de facto Minister of Finance). 
He is a well-regarded reformer who appears to have the 
support of both the Abu Dhabi and the Dubai ruling 
families.  He is also Chairman of the Dubai Islamic Bank, 
which has the new Minister of Communication as the Vice- 
Chair. 
 
-- [MERGER AND NEW MINISTER] Minister of Economy and 
Planning:  Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi is the first female 
Minister appointed to the UAE Cabinet.  An excellent 
contact of the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General, Sheikha 
Lubna is Chief Executive Officer of Tejari.com, an online 
marketplace.  Educated at California's Chico State 
University, Sheikha Lubna is a warm, dynamic and highly 
intelligent leader who has cultivated close ties with many 
U.S. officials and business leaders.  She is a true 
believer in open economies and free trade.  Despite having 
achieved prominence in Dubai, as a high-profile prot €of 
MbR, Sheikha Lubna is actually a member of Sharjah 
Emirate's ruling family, and (as an unmarried woman) she 
continues to reside there with her mother and sisters. 
 
-- [MERGER, NEW MINISTER] Minister of Energy: Mohammed bin 
Dha'en Al Hamili heads the new super Ministry of Energy, 
which combines the Ministry of Electricity and Water with 
the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources.  The new 
Minister of Energy is from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and was 
most recently the director of Marketing and Refining for 
the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and was formerly 
the UAE governor to OPEC.  He is a Harvard Business School 
graduate. 
 
-- [NEW MINISTER] Minister of Communications: Sultan bin 
Saeed Al-Mansouri is the new Minister of Communications. 
He is from Dubai and is a Chairman of the Dubai Islamic 
Insurance and Reinsurance Co. (AMAN) and a Vice-Chairman of 
Dubai Islamic Bank.  Since 1998, he has been a managing 
partner of Al Nabooda Group.  He holds a degree in 
mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan.  He 
appears to be an ally of Minister of State for Financial 
and Industrial Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Khalfan bin Kharbash. 
 
-- [NEW MINISTER] Minister of Labor and Social Affairs: 
New Minister Dr. Ali bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi is a Manager at 
the UAE Offsets Group.  He holds a PhD in Engineering 
Management, and Software and Information System Management 
from George Washington University.  He is also a graduate 
of Sandhurst University Military College.  He has 
previously worked as an IT advisor with the UAE Armed 
Forces, an IT Manager in the Washington office of the Abu 
Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), and an IT Manager in the 
office of the UAE Military in Washington.  After his 
appointment, he stated that his priority would be to 
address the UAE's demographic challenges. 
 
Comment: 
------- 
 
5. (C) After last year's appointments of Sheikh Hamdan bin 
Zayed as Deputy Prime Minister and Sheikh Mohammed bin 
Zayed as Deputy Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the UAE 
leadership has taken a significant, further step to project 
stability through a new cabinet announced under the 
authority of the ailing Sheikh Zayed.  This reshuffle, the 
first in seven years, strengthens the firm grip of the Al 
Nahyan on the UAE government, and with the appointment of 
Sheikh Mansour, gives a ministerial title to a third Bani 
Fatima brother, all under the not-so-behind-the-scenes 
leadership of Abu Dhabi Deputy Crown Prince and Armed 
Forces Chief of Staff MbZ.  Perhaps the most significant 
appointment is the elevation of Sheikh Saif to Minister of 
Interior.  Outgoing Interior Minister Mohammed Al Badi 
hails from a tribe that owes its allegiance to Crown Prince 
Khalifa.  Sheikh Saif is known to have close ties to MbZ 
and we will be watching this alignment.  By consolidating 
several ministries and bringing in some dynamic new 
technocrats, the reshuffle has the potential to achieve the 
stated goals of MbZ and HbZ to improve the functioning of 
the UAE's loose federal system.  The appointment of Sheikha 
Lubna Al Qasimi is a welcome display of the UAE's long 
stated, but only slowly implemented commitment to empower 
women.   The number of reform-minded ministers with close 
connections with the U.S. is up significantly, and this 
looks like good news for us. 
ALBRIGHT