US embassy cable - 05ABUDHABI1523

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001523 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR G, G/TIP, INL, DRL, PRM, NEA/RA, AND NEA/ARPI 
STATE ALSO PASS TO USTR 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2010 
TAGS: PHUM, KDEM, ELAB, ETRD, TC, Camel Jockeys 
SUBJECT: UAE MINISTER OF CABINET AFFAIRS ON CAMEL JOCKEYS, 
POLITICAL REFORM 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Summary:  Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Saeed 
Al Ghaith told Ambassador April 5 that he expects federal 
cabinet approval of a new law banning underage camel jockeys 
at its next meeting on Monday, April 11.  Although formal 
approval is pending, the UAEG has implemented it effective 
March 31, meaning those who employ camel jockeys now have two 
months to repatriate the children.  Source country embassies 
are already processing some of the children.  On the 
possibility of representative government, Al Ghaith indicated 
that the UAE was receptive to political change because the 
UAE has an "adaptable" society.  He also reiterated UAEG 
support for the Iraqi people, and said he believes that the 
UAE has been spared from violent terrorist attacks because 
its leadership has addressed its people's needs, while also 
addressing security vulnerabilities.  End Summary. 
 
Camel Jockey Law 
---------------- 
 
2. (C) The Ambassador and Pol Chief met with Minister of 
State for Cabinet Affairs Saeed Al Ghaith on April 5. 
Ambassador took the opportunity to share an April 3 New York 
Times article about the underage camel jockey problem in the 
UAE, and to urge UAEG to end the use of trafficked underage 
camel jockeys.  She said it had become a "painful issue" that 
has brought "negative attention" to the bilateral 
relationship.  Al Ghaith nodded in agreement.  "The law will 
come.  It's not going to be a problem," he replied as he 
glanced at the article.  Ambassador emphasized the importance 
of acting swiftly.  She also encouraged the UAEG to work with 
the International Organization for Migration on repatriation 
issues.  Al Ghaith assured Ambassador that the law was in its 
"final stages" and the Cabinet would approve it on April 11. 
 
3. (SBU) According to a Ministry of Interior source, the UAEG 
has clearly communicated its intent to enforce the law on 
March 31 per the public announcements by Deputy Prime 
Minister and de facto Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin 
Zayed.  Regardless of the actual approval date by the 
Cabinet, the two-month grace period for those who employ 
underage camel jockeys to repatriate the children began on 
March 31.  Meanwhile, we have reports from source country 
embassies (Pakistan and Bangladesh in particular) that former 
camel jockeys are being processed for repatriation  -- 
developments to be covered septel. 
 
Political Reform 
---------------- 
 
4. (C) Al Ghaith was sanguine about the possibilities of 
opening up the UAE's political space.  He said that Emiratis 
have always been an "adaptable" people who were not hostile 
to the idea of political representation.  He credited the 
ruler of Sharjah emirate, Sheikh Sultan Al Qassimi, for 
"opening ways for people to communicate" through the creation 
of municipal councils.  However, he said that each of the 
emirates must approach political reform in a measured, 
orderly fashion, with ample civic education.  Ambassador 
described some of our MEPI and International Visitor programs 
and encouraged participation as a way to expose UAE nationals 
to the role of civil society, models of good governance, and 
the role of an independent media. 
 
Regional Politics: Iraq, Qatar 
------------------------------ 
 
5. (C) Al Ghaith and Ambassador reviewed the situation in 
Iraq, and exchanged views on Gulf security in the aftermath 
of the attack in Qatar in March.  Al Ghaith (a 1965 
University of Baghdad graduate) acknowledged that there were 
"desperate people" in Iraq who were prepared to sacrifice 
their lives in suicide operations.  He blamed extremists for 
desensitizing their followers of any sense of danger and 
responsibility.  He also contrasted the suffering and 
oppression under Saddam with the freedom Iraqis now enjoy. 
Ambassador used the opportunity to thank the UAEG for its 
behind-the-scenes support for the Iraqi people and 
transitional government.  Commenting on Qatar's recent 
experience with terrorism, Al Ghaith said that wealthy 
countries cannot ignore their security vulnerabilities, and 
they must do a better job of addressing the economic needs of 
their people.  The UAE has been tolerant of others people and 
made strides with educational reforms, but it cannot afford 
to let its guard down, he said. 
 
Biographic note 
--------------- 
 
6. (U) Saeed Khalfan Al Ghaith has served as Minister of 
State for Cabinet Affairs since 1985.  Born in 1946 in Dubai, 
he graduated from the University of Baghdad in 1965, and 
studied English in London.  He worked previously in the 
political department of the Foreign Ministry.  In addition to 
his ministry portfolio, Al Ghaith also heads the federal 
Civil Service Council, and the Institute of Administrative 
Development. 
SISON