US embassy cable - 04ABUDHABI4179

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CHIEF OF ABU DHABI TELEVISION FIRED

Identifier: 04ABUDHABI4179
Wikileaks: View 04ABUDHABI4179 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Embassy Abu Dhabi
Created: 2004-11-22 11:31:00
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Tags: KPAO TC
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
null
Diana T Fritz  02/05/2007 04:04:32 PM  From  DB/Inbox:  Search Results

Cable 
Text:                                                                      
                                                                           
      
UNCLAS        ABU DHABI 04179

SIPDIS
CXABU:
    ACTION: PAO
    INFO:   DCM ECON POL AMB

DISSEMINATION: PAO
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: DCM:RALBRIGHT
DRAFTED: PAO:HOLSIN-WINDECKER
CLEARED: NONE

VZCZCADI576
RR RUEHC RUEHZM
DE RUEHAD #4179 3271131
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221131Z NOV 04
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6858
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 004179 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR NEA/PPD, NEA/ARP AND IIP 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS:  KPAO, TC 
SUBJECT:  CHIEF OF ABU DHABI TELEVISION FIRED 
 
 
1. (U) The chief of Abu Dhabi Television (ADTV) was removed from 
his post after the station resumed normal programming sooner than 
appropriate during the official mourning period for the death of 
the late president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.  Ahmed Ali 
Al Baloushi was in charge of Abu Dhabi TV in his capacity as 
Director-General of Emirates Media Inc. (EMI) and has been asked 
to "stay at home."   The Minister of Information and Culture 
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, one of the late president's 
sons, was quoted in the English language Khaleej Times on Nov. 13 
as saying that the decision was taken following a certain 
"blunder."  Ali Al Ahmed, director of ADTV, has been appointed as 
acting director-general of EMI.  The Khaleej Times was the only 
local paper that covered the story. 
 
2. (SBU) Sources told the embassy that Al Baloushi was supposed 
to coordinate the return to normal programming with Dubai TV 
sometime after the three day period during which all private 
businesses were closed (public sector was closed until November 
20).  Instead, ADTV went on the air a day before it had been 
agreed upon, embarrassing the Abu Dhabi leadership.  Coming on 
the heels of a financial fiasco in which ADTV reportedly overpaid 
by millions of dirhams to produce several entertainment shows 
rather than buying canned product, the slight to the emiri family 
reportedly enraged Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, who ordered Al 
Baloushi's departure. 
 
SISON 

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