Cablegate: Uaeg Avoids Aid Related to Afghan Elections

VZCZCXRO2753
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHAD #1370 3360859
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 010859Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1828
INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0450
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001370

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID KDEM MASS AF AE
SUBJECT: UAEG AVOIDS AID RELATED TO AFGHAN ELECTIONS

REF: A) ABU DHABI 1291, B) STATE 108855

Sensitive but unclassified; please protect accordingly.

1. (SBU) In addition to conversations noted Ref A regarding UAEG aid
to Afghanistan, Post reiterated Ref B request for assistance to
ensure smooth 2009 Afghan elections as a diplomatic note. The MFA's
formal reply (text in para two) reiterates the UAEG's preference for
humanitarian aid without political overtones. This posture matches
Assistant Under Secretary for Political Affairs Dr. Tariq al-Haidan's
public statements in late November that UAEG pledges to Afghanistan
stood at $550 million (2002-08) with a focus on infrastructure,
health, and education.

2. (SBU) Informal translation of UAE diplomatic note 1984 dated 25
Nov 2008:

Begin text: (Complimentary opening)
In reference to Embassy note #1000 of 29 Oct 2008 on the topic of the
2009 Afghan elections, the Ministry advises that the UAE will focus
solely on humanitarian aid in Afghanistan without interference in
Afghan elections, whether presidential, local, or parliamentary
elections.
(Complementary closing)
End text.

OLSON

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