Cablegate: New World Bank President - Uae Thoughts

VZCZCXRO9921
RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHAD #0897 1501229
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301229Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9040
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000897

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/IFD/ODF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN IBRD AE
SUBJECT: NEW WORLD BANK PRESIDENT - UAE THOUGHTS

REF: SECSTATE 73691

1. (SBU) Econchief contacted MinFinance A/US for Revenue and
Budget Khalid Al Bustani on May 30 to inform him that the
President was expected to announce the nomination of Robert
Zoellick as President of the World Bank and to stress Mr.
Zoellick's strong qualifications for the position.
Al-Bustani, currently in Senegal for meetings, said that he
had heard news reports of Zoellick's probable appointment.
He expressed his enthusiasm for Zoellick, noting that the
UAE's experience with him as U.S. Trade Representative in the
run-up to U.S.-UAE FTA negotiations had been positive. He
promised to discuss the candidacy with MinState Finance Dr.
Mohammed Khalfan bin Kharbash when he returned to the UAE.

2. (SBU) Econchief also discussed the issue with Ministry of
Economy U/S Abdulla Al-Saleh, who also responded positively
to the news.
SISON

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