US embassy cable - 04ABUDHABI4659

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UAE PRESIDENT HOSTS TALKS WITH ABBAS, QOREI

Identifier: 04ABUDHABI4659
Wikileaks: View 04ABUDHABI4659 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Embassy Abu Dhabi
Created: 2004-12-20 11:45:00
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
Tags: PREL TC
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
null
Diana T Fritz  12/19/2006 04:38:44 PM  From  DB/Inbox:  Search Results

Cable 
Text:                                                                      
                                                                           
      
C O N F I D E N T I A L        ABU DHABI 04659

SIPDIS
CXABU:
    ACTION: POL
    INFO:   DCM ECON PAO RSO MEPI P/M AMB

DISSEMINATION: POL
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: CDA:RALBRIGHT
DRAFTED: POL:JMAYBURY
CLEARED: ECON:OJOHN

VZCZCADI715
PP RUEHC RUEHXK
DE RUEHAD #4659 3551145
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 201145Z DEC 04
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7335
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 004659 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/19/2009 
TAGS: PREL, TC 
SUBJECT: UAE PRESIDENT HOSTS TALKS WITH ABBAS, QOREI 
 
REF: ABU DHABI 4513 
 
(U) Classified by Richard A. Albright, Charge d,Affaires, 
a.i., reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (U) UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed received PLO 
Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian Authority Prime 
Minister Ahmed Qorei December 19, marking the first time 
Khalifa and Abbas had met since the deaths of Sheikh Zayed 
and Yasser Arafat.  The visit, which received substantial 
media coverage, allowed the UAE and Palestinian leaders to 
discuss the approaching elections in the Palestinian 
territories, and the dialogue with all Palestinian factions. 
President Khalifa reiterated the UAE,s complete commitment 
to the Palestinians, and the UAE,s support for the efforts 
of the Palestinian leadership to unite the different 
factions.  Abbas praised the UAE for its generosity toward 
the Palestinians, citing in particular the Red Crescent 
Society,s fund-raising efforts on behalf of refugees. 
 
2. (U) Abbas and Qorei had a separate meeting with Deputy 
Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs 
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Information Minister Sheikh Abdullah 
bin Zayed, and MFA Under Secretary Abdullah Rashid Al Noaimi. 
 In a statement to the press, Sheikh Hamdan said that the 
UAE,s stance under President Khalifa would remain 
permanently in support of the Palestinian people.  Abbas and 
Qorei,s delegation included the PA Finance Minister. 
 
3. (U) In an exclusive interview in English-language Gulf 
News, Abbas said elections &are an expression of our march 
toward democracy.8  He said that Prime Minister Sharon was 
creating problems by deciding to unilaterally withdraw all 
Jewish settlers from Gaza Strip, and added that the 
withdrawal undermined the Middle East Roadmap.  &I reject 
Sharon,s offer because it jumps over the final status 
agreements,8 the told Gulf News.  He was also critical of 
the U.S. for supporting Sharon,s withdrawal plan.  In the 
interview, he rebuked Hamas and Islamic Jihad for using armed 
resistance in the Intifada. 
 
Comment: 
------- 
 
4. (C) In meetings with NEA DAS Dibble December 11 (reftel) 
and with Charge December 18, MFA Under Secretary Abdullah 
Rashid reiterated strong UAEG support for, and trust in, 
Abbas, and UAEG conviction that a unique opportunity to 
advance the peace process is at hand.  Abdullah Rashid 
strongly urged U.S. leadership to move the process forward. 
Asked by Charge about UAE plans for support to the 
Palestinians, Abdullah Rashid remarked that the UAEG would 
continue to provide significant assistance.  He stressed, 
however, that the UAE and Abbas had a good partnership, 
indicating that it would be easier for the UAEG to support 
the PA under his leadership. 
ALBRIGHT 

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