US embassy cable - 05ABUDHABI35

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000035 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/02/2015 
TAGS: PREL, KDEM, IZ, TC 
SUBJECT: UAE APPROVES IOM OVERSEAS VOTER PROGRAM FOR IRAQIS 
 
REF: 04 ABU DHABI 4714 
 
(U) Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
1. (U) The UAE and the International Organization for 
Migration (IOM) signed a memorandum of understanding January 
2 in Abu Dhabi allowing Iraqi expatriates living in the UAE 
and other Gulf countries to take part in the January 30 Iraqi 
elections.  The agreement covers all aspects of the 
Out-of-Country Voter (OCC) program promised by IOM (see 
reftel).  The MOU, which is valid for three months, was 
signed by Mohammed Al Nasiri, director of the Iraqi Voting 
Program at the IOM, and MFA Under Secretary Abdullah Rashid 
Al Noaimi. 
 
2. (U) The MOU establishing an OCV program does the 
following: 
 
-- establishes two voting centers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, 
staffed by international, Iraqi, and local officials.  These 
officials will have freedom to operate. 
 
-- exempts equipment imported for use in the elections from 
any fees or customs duties. 
 
-- UAE and IOM will adopt necessary procedures to ensure 
confidentiality and impartiality of voters and the voting 
 
SIPDIS 
process, without UAEG political interference. 
 
-- international and Iraqi observers and voters, 
representatives coming to observe the election will receive 
visas. 
 
-- UAE will provide protection for voting centers and for 
international, Iraqi, and local observers. 
 
-- UAE will adopt all necessary procedures to ensure an 
election environment free from any violence, threat or 
coercion. 
 
-- UAE agrees to cooperate with IOM to make information on 
elections available to Iraqis living in the UAE 
(approximately 50,000 by Iraqi Embassy estimates). 
 
3. (C) In their official pronouncements, as well as in 
private meetings with Emboffs, UAE officials have indicated 
full support for the Iraqi people and the Iraqi Interim 
Government,s decision to go forward with the elections as 
scheduled.  Tariq Al Haidan, MFA Assistant Under Secretary 
for Political Affairs, told Pol Chief December 29 that there 
would be no change in the UAEG,s policy toward Iraq and the 
elections.  &We will accept every Iraqi and we want to help 
as much as we can, from issuing visas for them to get here to 
providing security for them to vote,8 he said. 
 
4. (U) The Embassy,s Iraqi contacts have expressed mixed 
feelings about the upcoming elections.  Some say that 
adhering to the January 30 elections timetable is essential, 
and that not doing so would be tantamount to surrendering to 
the insurgents who want to disrupt the elections and destroy 
Iraq.  Others fear that the lack of security in Iraq will 
make it impossible to hold a free and fair election, and add 
that the U.S. and Iraqi Interim Government should reconsider 
holding the elections at a later date once security is 
assured. 
 
5. (U) On December 24, more than 600 Iraqis attended a forum 
organized by the Iraqi Business Council of Abu Dhabi aimed at 
informing them about registration and voting procedures. 
Registrations will take place from January 17 to 23 and after 
reviewing the registrations, those eligible to vote will be 
notified. 
 
6. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. 
SISON