US embassy cable - 05ABUDHABI4691

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 004691 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/PPD; NEA/RA; INR/R/MR; PA; 
INR/NESA; INR/B; IIP/G/NEA-SA 
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC 
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA 
USCINCCENT FOR POLAD 
LONDON FOR MCKUNE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP, KMDR, TC 
SUBJECT:  MEDIA REACTION:SEC ENERGY BODMAN 
 
 
1.  SUMMARY:  THERE WAS GOOD AND UNIFORMLY POSITIVE MEDIA 
COVERAGE OF THE VISIT TO THE UAE BY SECRETARY OF ENERGY SAMUEL 
BODMAN.  ARABIC AND ENGLISH DAILIES PROMINENTLY REPORTED EXCERPTS 
OF REMARKS MADE BY THE SECRETARY DURING A PA-ARRANGED PRESS 
CONFERENCE AND HIS MEETINGS WITH UAE PRESIDENT AND OTHER 
OFFICIALS.  THE MEDIA ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE SECRETARY'S 
PARTICIPATION IN THE LAUNCH OF THE ARABIC VERSION OF DOE'S 
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY OUTLOOK 2005.  PA ALSO ARRANGED THREE TV 
INTERVIEWS WITH ABU DHABI TV, CNBC.ARABIA AND THE NEWS CHANNEL AL- 
ARABIYAH.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2.   2.  UAE's print and electronic media prominently reported 
the visit to the UAE by Secretary of Energy Samiel Bodman.  The 
media singled out his meetings with UAE President, Sheikh Khalifa 
bin Zayid, which was attended by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh 
Muhamamd bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources and 
the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil company (ADNOC).  The media 
featured remarks made by Secretary Bodman during a press 
roundtable with representatives of UAE and international media. 
3. 
4.   3.  Abu Dhabi TV carried a 3-minute report based on the 
interview during the main evening newscast.  Abu Dhabi TV later 
carried the entire interview at the late news roundup. 
5. 
6.   4.  The following day, Arabic and English dailies 
highlighted Secretary Bodman's meeting with UAE President Sheikh 
Khalifa bin Zayed.  The media also reported Bodman's meetings 
with the UAE Minister of Oil and the CEO of Abu Dhabi National 
Oil Company (ADNOC). 
7. 
8.   5.  The media also reported on a PA-arranged press 
conference which was attended by most local and international 
media outlets.  Following are sample headlines of the Arabic and 
Englisgh dailies: 
 
Sharjah-based Pan-Arab daily "Al Khaleej," (circulation 85,000) 
headlined:  "Khalifa reviews cooperation with U.S. Secretary of 
Energy.  Bodman: `UAE plays an important role in stabilizing 
international oil market'." 
 
Abu Dhabi-based Arabic daily "Al Ittihad," (circulation 65,000) 
headlined:  "Khalifa reviews cooperation ties with U.S. secretary 
of Energy.  Washington: `UAE's oil policies support stability of 
the world market'." 
 
Dubai-based English language daily "Khaleej Times," (circulation 
80,000) headlined: "U.S. is ready to invest in UAE oil industry." 
 
6.  The next day, Secretary Bodman attended the launch of the 
Arabic version of the U.S. Energy Information Administration's 
International Energy Outlook 2005.  Coverage was extensive: 
 
Dubai-based English language daily "Khaleej Times," (circulation 
80,000) headlined: "US wants Opec to keep market well supplied." 
 
Dubai-based English language daily "Gulf News" (circulation 
95,000) headlined: "US and world economy 'can cope with high 
oil.'" 
 
Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-Bayan" (circulation 90,000) 
headlined: "Secretary of Energy anticipates price of 57 dollars 
per barrel in 2006." 
 
Abu Dhabi-based Arabic daily "Al Ittihad" (circulation 65,000) 
headlined: "Secretary of Engery: We will work on stabilizing the 
price of oil with the cooperation of OPEC and the oil producing 
countries." 
 
Sharjah-based Pan-Arab daily "Al Khaleej" (circulation 85,000) 
headlined: Secretary of Engery inaugurates the Arabic version of 
Report for Energy 2005.  119 million barrels of oil are being 
consumed by the world everyday." 
 
7.  PA arranged two separate TV interviews with CNBC.Arabia, the 
Arabic version of CNBC, and the Dubai-based news satellite 
channel, Al-Arabiyah.  Excerpts of both interviews were 
repeatedly aired during the course of the day. 
 
SISON