US embassy cable - 05ABUDHABI3735

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 003735 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PASS TO USAID/OFDA, NEA/ARPI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, ECON, EFIN, AEMR, KPAO, CASC, MARR, AMGT, US, TC 
SUBJECT: TFUS01:  UAE OFFER OF ASSISTANCE FOR HURRICANE 
KATRINA RELIEF OPERATIONS 
 
REF: A. AMBASSADOR SISON-OPS CENTER MICHAEL CHUNG TELCON 
        9/3/05 13:15 
     B. STATE 169273 
     C. STATE 163279 
     D. STATE 163278 
 
1.  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign 
Affairs Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan called Ambassador 
early Saturday afternoon, September 3, to reiterate UAE 
President Sheikh Khalifa's message of condolence to President 
Bush (full text below, para 6) as well as the UAE's offer of 
assistance to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.  Deputy PM 
Hamdan emphasized that the UAE stood ready to assist and that 
the people of the UAE shared the grief and distress of the 
American people over the disaster. 
 
2.  Hamdan noted his excellent meetings with the Vice 
President and the Secretary during his August visit to the 
United States and also expressed thanks for our messages 
following the recent fire at his home in McLean. 
 
3.  Hamdan asked the Ambassador to convey to POTUS the UAE's 
continued support as well as word of Sheikh Khalifa's message 
to the White House and his own phone call.  Ambassador 
thanked Hamdan for the call and expressed appreciation for 
UAE's message of sympathy and for its generous offer of 
assistance.  Ambassador said she would convey the offer to 
Washington, where experts would assess it in light of current 
needs and would advise with further information were specific 
help needed.  Hamdan asked that Ambassador telephone him back 
directly today with specific aid requirements. 
 
4.  Ambassador noted to Hamdan that should the UAE prefer to 
make a cash donation, arrangements can be made through Red 
Cross - Red Crescent NGO channels.  (Note:  Red Cross 
President Marsha Evans was to have arrived in Abu Dhabi today 
for meetings with Red Crescent counterparts and a reception 
at the Ambassador's residence, but had to cancel the visit as 
a result of Hurricane Katrina.)  Ambassador advised Hamdan 
that it would also be possible to make a donation directly to 
the USG, per ref D. 
 
5.  Action request:  Embassy believes this is a serious offer 
and requests information on assistance priorities and 
Washington preferences for in-kind vs. cash donation.  Per 
reftelcon Ambassador requests further guidance/instruction 
ASAP at OOB Washington from the Department Task Force on 
acceptance of the UAE offer of assistance or cash donation. 
Deputy PM Hamdan expects a telephone call back today from 
Ambassador. 
 
6.  Begin Informal Embassy Translation: 
 
UAE President Sends Condolences to the U.S. President 
 
UAE President/U.S. President/Condolences Telegram 
 
His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE 
President, sends a telegram of condolence to the U.S. 
President George Bush, expressing his condolences and sorrow 
to the President and the American people over the victims of 
the hurricanes that hit certain areas in the United States 
and led to the death and injury of hundreds.  His Highness 
the President expresses the condolences and sorrow of the UAE 
people to the families of the victims of this humanitarian 
disaster. 
 
End Informal Embassy Translation. 
SISON