This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000049 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/FO AND NEA/ARPI 
NSC PLEASE PASS TO OVP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/03/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR AE
SUBJECT: DEATH OF UAE VP/PM MAKTOUM BIN RASHID 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR MICHELE J. SISON, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary and Action Request: Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid 
al-Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai and UAE Vice President and 
Prime Minister, died January 3 in Australia at the age of 65 
due to heart failure.  Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin 
Rashid al-Maktoum (MbR) automatically succeeded his older 
brother as Ruler of Dubai, and will most likely succeed him 
as UAE Vice President.  However, the title of Prime Minister 
may go to Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the 
current Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for 
Foreign Affairs, who has been rumored to be in line for the 
job ever since he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in 
October 2003.  The UAEG has issued a statement saying that 
the country will observe 40 days of national mourning and the 
closure of federal offices for seven days starting today 
(January 4).  The Ambassador's message of condolence is 
contained in para 7.  Para 9 contains an action request for a 
Washington condolence message/delegation.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (C) Sheikh Maktoum's death was announced January 4.  Born 
in 1940, he had been the nominal ruler of the second-most 
powerful emirate in the UAE since 1990, when he succeeded his 
father.  In addition to his Dubai role, he held the federal 
offices of Vice President and Prime Minister since that time. 
 However, Sheikh Maktoum had shown little interest in either 
governing or foreign affairs, preferring to delegate real 
authority to his charismatic third younger brother MbR, who 
is the UAE Defense Minister and Crown Prince of Dubai. 
Sheikh Maktoum was a racehorse enthusiast and spent most of 
his time in the U.K. 
 
Ruler of Dubai 
-------------- 
 
¶3. (C) Sheikh Maktoum has been succeeded as Ruler of Dubai by 
MbR.  This is not a surprising choice, since MbR was the 
Crown Prince and has been the de facto Ruler of Dubai, even 
though there is an elder brother, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid 
al-Maktoum.  (Hamdan will continue in his role as Deputy 
Ruler and federal Minister of Finance.  MbR is likely to 
continue as Minister of Defense.)  A fourth al-Maktoum 
brother, Ahmad, does not currently hold an official position. 
 Since MbR has long been in charge of Dubai, it is unlikely 
that this succession will cause significant policy changes in 
the emirate. 
 
Smooth Transition Anticipated 
----------------------------- 
 
¶4. (C) Sheikh Maktoum's departure from the scene occurs a 
little more than a year after the death of the UAE's founder 
and first President, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan. 
Sheikh Zayed's death was followed by a smooth transition of 
power, with the UAE's Supreme Council of Rulers voting 
unanimously within 48 hours to have Zayed's eldest son, 
Sheikh Khalifa, succeed him as President.  As Vice President, 
Sheikh Maktoum had chaired the Supreme Council meeting 
shortly after Zayed's funeral. 
 
¶5. (C) We expect another smooth transition after the death of 
Sheikh Maktoum, a process which will again involve the 
al-Maktoum and al-Nahyan ruling families, as well as the 
Supreme Council.  Although press reports indicate that 
President Khalifa will appoint a new prime minister and vice 
president, we believe that MbR will inherit the largely 
ceremonial title of Vice President.  (Comment: The al-Nahyans 
are unlikely to give up the UAE presidency in the foreseeable 
future.  If UAE President Khalifa were to depart the scene, 
the Supreme Council would likely select Khalifa's successor 
as Ruler of Abu Dhabi Emirate, Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed 
bin Zayed, as the UAE's next president.  End comment.) 
 
Other Possible Appointments 
--------------------------- 
 
¶6. (C) Many predict that the title of Prime Minister will be 
given to Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the current 
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign 
Affairs.  Such a move would permit the long-rumored 
appointment of current Information Minister, Sheikh Abdullah 
bin Zayed al-Nahyan, as Foreign Minister.  Sheikh Hamdan bin 
Zayed and his brother, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Sultan 
bin Zayed, have shared the duties of chairing the federal 
Cabinet of Ministers since Sheikh Hamdan was appointed Deputy 
Prime Minister in fall 2003.  (Note: Due to his prolonged 
absences from the UAE, the late Sheikh Maktoum rarely chaired 
Cabinet meetings. 
 
¶7. (U) Ambassador's message of condolence, which follows, has 
been distributed to the press (along with a condolence 
telegram to the ruling family) and can be used as a basis for 
Washington's condolence message: 
 
On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I 
would like to extend my deep and heartfelt sympathy to His 
Highness President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the 
al-Maktoum family, and the people of the United Arab 
Emirates, on the death of His Highness, the late Prime 
Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, and 
Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum. 
 
Sheikh Maktoum was a close friend and wise ally who had often 
visited the United States.  His dream for his people is 
evident in the extraordinary development, growth, and 
prosperity of the Emirate of Dubai and the UAE.  Sheikh 
Maktoum was admired by the people of the United States and 
loved by the citizens and residents of the United Arab 
Emirates, whose well being he always sought to advance.  His 
vision, his humanity, and commitment as well as his 
remarkably kind and generous nature will be greatly missed. 
 
¶8. (U) Sheikh Maktoum's remains are scheduled to arrive in 
Dubai at 7 a.m. local time on January 5.  In keeping with 
local tradition, prayers and burial will follow at 10 a.m., 
after which condolence calls will be received at MbR's 
Nakheel Palace in Dubai for a period of three days.  A 
condolence book will be available for signing at MFA starting 
January 5 for three days.  Ambassador Sison and EB A/S Tony 
Wayne, currently visiting the region, will pay an official 
condolence call on the al-Maktoum family on Friday, January 6. 
 
¶9. (U) Action Request: Action: Embassy requests that a 
message of condolence on the death of the late UAE Vice 
President/Prime Minister Sheikh Maktoum be issued from the 
Office of the Vice President.  A high-level condolence 
delegation from Washington would also be welcome and 
appropriate during the period January 5-7.  Also appropriate 
would be a condolence telephone call to the UAE Embassy's 
Charge d'Affaires in Washington. 
SISON