US embassy cable - 05ABUDHABI3073

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 003073 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/I, EB/ODF - RMARCELLUS 
AND S/I - AMBASSADOR DICK JONES 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2015 
TAGS: EAID, ECON, EFIN, IZ, TC 
SUBJECT: UAE: DEAD SEA DONORS MEETING, IRAQI DEBT RELIEF 
 
REF: A. STATE 127710 
 
     B. STATE 12580 
     C. ABU DHABI 1573 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.5 (b) 
and (d). 
 
1. (U) On July 11, Econoff delivered Ref A demarche on the 
International Reconstruction Trust Fund Facility for Iraq to 
Mohammed Abdul Rahim Abduljalil, MFA Assistant Undersecretary 
for International Cooperation.  Abduljalil reported that the 
UAE had not yet designated a representative to the IRFFI.  He 
encouraged the United States to continue dialogue with 
reluctant nations to broaden the base of support for Iraqi 
aid.  He did not give specific numbers on UAE aid to Iraq, 
but discussed ongoing assistance, such as security training, 
that the UAE has contributed to in Iraq. 
 
2. (C) On July 10, given the fact that Iraqi debt is held by 
the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Ambassador had made Ref B points 
regarding timely action on Iraqi debt relief to Sheikh 
Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan (member of the Abu Dhabi ruling 
family, Minister for Presidential Affairs, and Deputy 
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Committee).  On July 
12, Ambassador spoke with International Affairs Director, Abu 
Dhabi Crown Prince's office, Yousef al Otaiba and MFA U/S 
Abdullah Rashid al Noaimi on the need for debt forgiveness 
for Iraq given ITA plans to begin negotiation of an IMF 
standby agreement next month.  Each of the interlocutors took 
Ambassador's points on board, and assured her that the UAE 
would not ask the Iraqis to pay debts owed.  There were no 
further specifics on debt relief provided, however. 
 
3. (C) MFA U/S Abdullah Rashid al Noaimi also noted that the 
UAE appreciated the invitation to Amman, although the UAEG 
had not met the $10 million membership threshold for the 
Donor's Committee.  It was possible that UAE's Ambassador in 
Amman would represent the UAE at the IRFFI, he added.  (Note: 
 The UAE continues to provide both security and humanitarian 
assistance to Iraq.  For example, in April-May 2005, 83 Iraqi 
army engineers received basic leadership and mine awareness 
training from the German Ministry of Defense.  Those Iraqi 
army engineers will return to the UAE in October-December 
2005 to help train another 244 Iraqi army engineers.  Once 
the training is complete, this Iraqi engineering battalion 
will serve in various Iraqi divisions.  In addition, the UAE 
Armed Forces are paying the Iraqis' room and board, per diem, 
and transportation between Iraq and the UAE.  The UAE is also 
donating additional engineering equipment to the Iraqi armed 
forces. A summary of the earlier UAE assistance to Iraq is 
provided in Ref C.  End Note.) 
SISON