US embassy cable - 04ABUDHABI3963

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 003963 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, CASC, OTRA, PREL, TC 
SUBJECT: Sheikh Zayed Funeral: Logistics and Embassy Public 
Announcement 
 
Ref:  Abu Dhabi 3957 
 
1. Summary:  The UAE is responding to the death of President 
Zayed with a 40-day mourning period (through December 12). 
The government will be closed from November 3 until November 
20 (counting both mourning and the Eid Al-Fitr), and private 
businesses will be closed through Friday, November 5.  Abu 
Dhabi Ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan will receive 
condolences for 3 days from November 3 to November 5. 
Public Announcement contained paragraph 6. End Summary 
 
Burial and Condolences (November 3-November 5) 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
2. President Zayed's funeral took place on November 3, with 
family and regional leaders in attendance (including King 
Abdullah of Jordan, King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of 
Bahrain, President Karzai of Afghanistan, President 
Musharraf of Pakistan, President Sheikh Ghazi Al-Yawar of 
Iraq, President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika of Algeria, President 
Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen, President Emile Lahud of 
Lebanon, President Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan, President Bashar 
Al-Asad of Syria, Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Ibn 
Saud of Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah 
of Kuwait).  Overseas delegations will  begin condolence 
calls on Abu Dhabi Ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan 
starting November 3 at 8:00 pm for three days.  Visitors 
making condolence calls on Sheikh Khalifa will enter the 
reception hall (majlis) and shake hands with Sheikh Khalifa 
and male members of the family.  VIP delegations are likely 
to sit for a few minutes to express condolences and then 
leave.  Delegation should not expect to be able to conduct 
official "side meetings" with anyone in the UAEG for this 3- 
day period.  The UAEG will be granting visas at the airport 
for official delegations coming to pay condolence calls. 
 
3. Post recommends that U.S. cabinet members address any 
written condolence messages to their counterparts as 
appropriate.  We recommend that these be sent through the 
U.S. Embassy.  We will translate and pass them to MFA 
protocol, which will forward the messages. 
 
Government Closed for Business (November 3 - November 20) 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
4. The UAEG and local emirate governments will be closed for 
mourning (Nov. 3-12) and Eid (Nov. 13-20).  During this UAEG 
closure period it will be difficult to conduct all but the 
most urgent and critical business.  We will not be able to 
schedule meetings with the UAEG during this time, so post 
requests that official travelers defer travel until after 
November 20.  In addition, private businesses will be closed 
from November 3 to 6. 
 
Official Mourning Period (November 3 - December 13) 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
5. The UAE will observe 40 days of official mourning through 
December 12.  We expect the private sector and the 
government will resume normal operations after the end of 
the closure periods listed in paragraph 4 and will receive 
visitors.  Emiratis will not hold large-scale events, 
parties, or receptions during this period of time, nor will 
the Embassy. 
 
Public Announcement 
------------------- 
 
6. CA approved Post's initial public announcement of 
November 2 (see reftel). Public announcement below replaces 
the initial public announcement with additional details, and 
it will be disseminated through our warden network and 
published on our Web site. 
 
Begin Text: Public Announcement 
 
 
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan 
passed away November 2, 2004.  The Government of the United 
Arab Emirates has announced a 40-day period of official 
mourning and closure of UAE Government offices and 
institutions from Wednesday, November 3 through Wednesday 
November 10.  Government offices will also close from 
November 13 through November 17 in observance of the Islamic 
holiday of Eid al Fitr.   During these periods of government 
closure, American citizens considering travel to the United 
Arab Emirates cannot expect to do business with UAE 
government offices or officials. 
 
The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in 
Dubai extend their heartfelt condolences to the people and 
Government of the United Arab Emirates.    Embassy Abu Dhabi 
and Consulate General Dubai will be closed to the public 
from Wednesday, November 3 through Sunday, November 7. 
During this period, the Embassy and Consulate General will 
continue to provide emergency consular services.   In 
observance of the U.S. Veteran's Day holiday and the Eid al 
Fitr, the Embassy and Consulate General will also be closed 
Saturday, November 13 through Monday November 15.   During 
this period, Embassy Abu Dhabi and Consulate General Dubai 
will continue to provide emergency consular services. 
 
Emergency Services for U.S. Citizens 
For emergencies in the Abu Dhabi Emirate Americans can 
contact the Embassy in Abu Dhabi by calling 02-414-2200. 
 
For emergencies in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Americans 
can contact the Consulate General in Dubai by calling 050- 
645-8773. 
 
Immigrant Visas 
Persons who have appointments for Immigrant Visas at the 
Embassy on the following days will have their appointments 
re-scheduled according to the following dates: 
 
Wednesday, November 03   rescheduled for     Sunday, 
November 21 
Saturday, November 06    rescheduled for     Sunday, 
November 28 
Sunday, November 07      rescheduled for     Tuesday, 
November 30 
 
Non-immigrant Visas 
Appointments for non-immigrant visas will not be available 
from Saturday, November 6 through Sunday, November 7 and 
from Saturday, November 13 through Tuesday, November 16. 
 
Residents of Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah and 
Umm al Quwain with previously scheduled appointments will 
have to reschedule by calling Emirates Call at 9000-2900 to 
make a new appointment. Residents of Dubai, Sharjah and Iran 
with previously scheduled appointments  should call Bahrain 
Call at (00) 973-90000-797 to make a new appointment. 
 
For further information, please monitor the Embassy's and 
Consulate General's websites at 
http://usembassy.state.gov/uae and 
http://dubai.usconsulate.gov 
 
 
End Text 
 
Sison