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Diana T Fritz  03/15/2007 02:47:13 PM  From  DB/Inbox:  Search Results

Cable 
Text:                                                                      
                                                                           
      
UNCLASSIFIED

SIPDIS
TELEGRAM                                           April 21, 2004


To:       No Action Addressee                                    

Action:   Unknown                                                

From:     AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI (ABU DHABI 1255 - UNKNOWN)         

TAGS:     PREL, EAID                                             

Captions: None                                                   

Subject:  UAE RESPONSE TO GREATER MIDDLE EAST INITIATIVE         

Ref:      None                                                   
_________________________________________________________________
UNCLAS        ABU DHABI 01255

SIPDIS
CXABU:
    ACTION: DCM 
    INFO:   POL AMB 

DISSEMINATION: DCM
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: AMB:MWAHBA
DRAFTED: POL:SRADDANT
CLEARED: A/DCM:HOWINDECKER

VZCZCADI190
OO RUEHC RUEHDI RUEHZM
DE RUEHAD #1255 1121400
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 211400Z APR 04
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4067
INFO RUEHDI/AMCONSUL DUBAI 3953
RUEHZM/GCC COLLECTIVE UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001255 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS:        
SUBJECT: UAE RESPONSE TO GREATER MIDDLE EAST INITIATIVE 
 
REF:  A) STATE 86312 B) ABU DHABI 923 C) ABU DHABI 906 
 
 1. Per ref. A action request, post has forwarded the short 
papers outlining the GME proposals and cover letter to 
appropriate host country officials for their review.  Post 
will provide UAEG responses to the proposals as they become 
available. 
 
 2. During the March 21 Strategic Partnership meetings (see 
refs B and C), A/S Burns discussed the GME with Abu Dhabi 
Crown Prince Shaykh Khalifa bin Zayed (KbZ) and Information 
and Culture Minister Shaykh Abdullah bin Zayed (AbZ). 
 
 3. KbZ stated his disappointment that the GME concept was 
exploited by some who accused the U.S. of trying to impose 
reform on the region.  He agreed that each country should 
set its own priorities, and said that the UAE would welcome 
recommendations for reform once shown how it would benefit 
this society.  He agreed with Burns' recommendations for 
educational reforms in the UAE to promote greater economic 
opportunities. 
 
 4. During the Strategic Partnership discussions, AbZ 
acknowledged that the region is in need of reform, but 
changes would not happen overnight.  He was pleased with 
Burns' assurances that the U.S. has no intention of trying 
to impose reform initiatives on Arab states, rather, it 
would respond to calls from within the region for change. 
 
WAHBA