Reference ID: 09ABUDHABI301
 Created: 2009-03-25 08:08 
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
 Origin: Embassy Abu Dhabi 
VZCZCXRO9047
OO RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR
DE RUEHAD #0301 0840811
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 250811Z MAR 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2289
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0128
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0897
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0462
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1728C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000301
 
SIPDIS
 
FOR S, S/SRAP HOLBROOKE, AND S/SECC TODD STERN
ALSO FOR NEA/ARP AND EEB/ESC/IEC/ENR (MONOSSON, SECOR, THOMPSON) AND
SCA
AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB OFFICER (BHALLA)
 
E.O. 12958 03/24/2019
TAGS SENV, ECON, PREL, PARM, AF, PK, AE
SUBJECT: FM PRESSES SRAP HOLBROOKE FOR IRENA SUPPORT
 
CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR RICHARD G. OLSON FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D
REFS: A) ABU DHABI 199  B) ABU DHABI 170  C) 2/5/09 MONOSSON-COOPER EMAIL  D) ABU DHABI 6  E) 08 STATE 134385
 
¶1. (C) During a March 24 meeting with Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke, UAE Foreign Minister Shaykh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (AbZ) asked if the United States had changed its (Ref E) policy on joining the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). AbZ recalled his March discussion of the issue with the Secretary in Sharm al Sheikh and told Holbrooke the UAE is trying to convince its friends to join IRENA and support the UAE’s candidacy to host the agency’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi (refs A, B, and D). AbZ said the UAE was in a “tough fight� with Germany, the only other viable candidate, and explained the UAEG argument was based on the symbolic importance of having an international organization (other than UNRWA) headquartered in the region. Further, having an oil-producing country host the headquarters of an international renewable energy organization sent an important message about international commitment to renewable energy.
 
¶2. (C) Ambassador’s Comment: Shaykh Abdullah’s request for support came in the context of a discussion (reported septel) on Afghanistan and Pakistan in which the Abdullah and the Crown Prince (Shaykh Mohammed bin Zayid) indicated their desire (based on proven ability) to be very helpful to the United States on political issues. While there was no direct linkage between IRENA and AF/PAK, the former is very clearly something that is important to the UAEG, and the UAE expects the USG to be helpful on IRENA, given the considerable effort the UAE is putting in to supporting us on our critical issue. End Comment.
 
¶3. (SBU) Ambassador Holbrooke did not clear this message. OLSON