US embassy cable - 05ABUDHABI3954

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 003954 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NEA/ARPI, NEA/I 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, PGOV, KPAL, KDEM, UNGA, AEMR, EAID, TC, IZ 
SUBJECT: ENGAGEMENT OF UAEG ON IRAQ-UNGA THEMES AND 
APPRECIATION FOR KATRINA ASSISTANCE 
 
REF: A. STATE 168004 
 
     B. STATE 164135 
     C. STATE 164132 
     D. STATE 165002 
     E. STATE 164134 
 
Classified By: DCM Martin Quinn for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Summary:  During call on MFA Assistant Under Secretary 
Tariq Ahmed Al Haidan on September 13, DCM engaged the 
Assistant U/S on a range of issues including Hurricane 
Katrina, Avian Flu, and Iraq themes at UNGA.  DCM thanked 
UAEG for its generosity following Hurricane Katrina.  He 
encouraged UAEG action regarding the threat of Avian Flu, and 
found that UAEG is taking steps to establish monitoring 
committees and creating organizational structures to 
coordinate responses to the threat both unilaterally and 
multilaterally.  DCM urged UAEG to offer public support for 
the political process in addition to financial aid to Iraq. 
The Assistant U/S expressed concern regarding Iran's growing 
influence in Iraq as well as worry that the US might leave 
too soon.  End Summary. 
 
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Hurricane Katrina 
----------------- 
 
2. (U) DCM expressed appreciation to UAEG for the extremely 
generous response to Hurricane Katrina, and passed a copy of 
the Embassy press release regarding the $100MN donation.  Al 
Haidan responded that our countries are friends and must 
stand by each other during difficult times. 
 
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Avian Flu 
--------- 
 
3. (U) DCM passed a second copy of the Statement of Core 
Principles on Avian and Pandemic Influenza (ref E).  Al 
Haidan said that Majed Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the 
Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency, had recently chaired a series 
of meetings including members from the Ministry of 
Agriculture and Fisheries, as well as from Abu Dhabi 
Municipality and the General Authority for Health Services, 
resulting in the formation of standing committees on 
monitoring and promoting education concerning Avian Flu.  It 
was also proposed that a Center for Infectious Diseases be 
set up in Abu Dhabi to coordinate all activities related to 
the control, prevention, and management of Avian Flu-related 
illnesses.  DCM stressed that it is important that countries 
join together at UNGA to partner in the effort to contain the 
disease, to which Assistant U/S replied that he had strongly 
recommended participation to the Minister and to the 
representatives in NY. 
 
---- 
Iraq 
---- 
 
4. (C) DCM inquired about the outcome of the Arab League FM 
meeting in Cairo and the GCC Ministers' meeting in Jeddah, 
particularly in regard to Iraq.  Al Haidan stated that the 
Arab League plans to open an office in Iraq in order to 
assure the government of Iraq's full participation in that 
organization.  While the Iraqi constitution was not formally 
addressed at the meetings, he said that it was stated that 
Iraq was and will be recognized as a single state within the 
Arab League, and that there was significant discussion 
regarding the importance of maintaining a unified Iraq.  DCM 
queried if the UAE would have an Ambassador in Iraq soon, and 
Al Haidan stated that after the election when the security 
situation was stable the UAEG will send more embassy staff. 
He said the UAEG wants an active embassy in Baghdad but that 
Sheikh Hamdan had asked what the point was of sending 
diplomats who cannot safely leave their building.  He noted 
that most of the Emirati embassy staff currently in Baghdad 
(8-10 persons) are there to provide security. 
 
5. (C) DCM pointed out that Iraq is at a critical juncture in 
its transition to democracy.  He urged that debt forgiveness 
and public statements of support from neighboring Arab 
governments would be important steps in rebuilding the 
country.  The Assistant U/S responded that UAEG was aware of 
the economic needs and had been studying the issue of debt 
forgiveness with its neighbors.  But, he said, it was 
generally agreed that now is not the time to come to a final 
decision regarding this matter, but that after a new 
parliament and government are seated in Baghdad the issue 
will be revisited.  He added that the UAEG hopes the upcoming 
referendum will succeed and noted that the UAEG may be 
willing to make a public statement urging full participation 
of all Iraqi parties. 
 
6. (C) Al Haidan noted that he is troubled by recent 
developments in Iraq, especially the terrorist activity in 
the south, which he sees as very significant.  Al Haidan 
(having begun his MFA career in Iran and serving more than 10 
years in Tehran) stated that this development is indicative 
of the growing influence of Iran in the south, particularly 
in Basra.  He said the problem cannot be defined simply as 
one of Shi'a versus Sunni, but that it is increasingly Arab 
Shi'a against Iranian Shi'a, and that the Arab Shi'a are 
growing more resentful of the Iranian influence.  He noted 
that the Iranians are also supporting the Sunni insurgency 
throughout Iraq, with funds and weapons, as a way to foster 
instability from which Iran continues to benefit. 
 
7. (C) The Assistant U/S expressed a fear that the USG would 
leave Iraq before its mission was complete, noting that 
leaving Iraq too early would lead to an absolute disaster. 
The DCM countered that the United States is fully committed 
to staying the course in Iraq, President Bush having made 
that point very clear many times.  DCM added that Iraq also 
needs help and assurances from its Arab neighbors as well as 
from the US, noting that public statements of support for the 
constitutional and electoral process, VIP visits to show 
solidarity, and full diplomatic representation would help 
Iraq through this transition.  But Al Haidan argued that the 
Iraqi leadership no longer believes in the Arabs and they 
want nothing from them except money.  He stated that only the 
USG can gather the Iraqi factions together at this point. 
DCM responded saying that it is also important that the U.N. 
maintain personnel levels sufficient to help conduct the 
constitutional referendum and elections.  Al Haidan agreed 
adding that he will be sure to pass that message to the 
Minister. 
SISON