VZCZCXRO1536
RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHAD #4528/01 3551619
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211619Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7936
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 004528 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
STATE FOR DRL, NEA/ARP, NEA/PI, NEA/PPD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM AE
SUBJECT: UAE FNC ELECTIONS RESULTS: 20 MEMBERS, INCLUDING ONE WOMAN, 
ELECTED 
 
REFS: ABU DHABI 4359 AND PREVIOUS 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: On December 16, 18, and 20, the UAE held their first 
limited election for 20 members of its 40-member Federal National 
Council (FNC).  Despite the fact that 14% (65) of all candidates 
were women, only one woman was elected--in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. 
 Even though voting was limited to a small appointed electorate of 
only 6,689 people, voter turn-out ranged from 60% to 90%, with a 
total of 5,171 votes being cast. Challenges to the vote count can be 
filed until December 22, and final election results will be 
announced on December 25.  As was previously reported, it is 
expected that the remaining 20 members of the FNC will be appointed 
by emirate rulers in the next couple of weeks.  End Summary. 
 
------------------------------ 
Participation - Voter Turn-Out 
------------------------------ 
¶2. (U) Approximately 77% of all eligible voters participated in the 
UAE's first national elections.  The northern emirates generally had 
the highest level of participation, and the urban centers of Abu 
Dhabi and Dubai had the lowest.  Voter turn-out was as follows: 
- Abu Dhabi - 1,048 votes cast (60% of electorate). 
- Dubai - 1,080 votes cast (71% of electorate). 
- Sharjah - 836 votes cast (83% of electorate). 
- Ras Al Khaimah - 1,061 votes cast (79% of electorate). 
- Fujairah, 417 votes cast (90% of electorate). 
- Ajman, 371 votes cast (85% of electorate). 
- Umm Al Quwain - 358 votes cast (89% of electorate). 
 
¶3. (U) Throughout the elections journalists were allowed to enter 
polling stations, and the voting process was often covered live on 
local television stations.  A brief survey of press articles in the 
major English and Arabic dailies during the elections and the 
two-week campaign period prior, reveals that the topics that were 
discussed the most were health, education, demographic imbalance, 
FNC reform, cost of living, and unemployment. 
 
¶4. (U) In a public release through the Emirates News Agency (WAM) 
the Minister of State for FNC Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash lauded the 
high voting percentage, and noted that approximately 90% of winners 
are "young blood" referring to the relatively young age of the 
winners--the oldest winning candidate is only 55 yrs old (according 
to published bio data).  Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, the only woman elected 
to the FNC, commented that "the UAE is heading towards a political 
process where both men and women are treated equally." 
 
----------- 
Next Steps 
----------- 
¶5. (SBU) At the conclusion of polling on December 20, UAE President 
Sheikh Khalifa BIN Zayed Al-Nahyan congratulated all participants 
and stated that the victors have "won a responsibility to be 
shouldered through caring for the people's issues."    He stated 
that this "current gradual parliamentary approach would positively 
contribute to the building of a matured and full-fledged 
parliamentary process" and promised that the government would 
"create the right climate to enable the FNC to live up to its role 
as a bridge between citizens, state institutions, and its executive 
and administrative leaders."  The elections will be certified on 
December 25 following a two-day period during which the election 
results can be contested.  Khalifa has previously stated that the 
appointment of the remaining 20 members of the FNC will closely 
follow the elections.  These appointments, made by the local rulers 
of each emirate, may seek to balance the election results and may 
include more women. 
 
------------------------------------ 
¶6. (U) Information about the Winners 
------------------------------------ 
 
Abu Dhabi 
--------- 
- Mohamed Mohamed Fadel Al-Hameli, extensive experience with Abu 
Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning Department.  MBA from New 
Hampshire University. Born in 1964. 
- Ahmed Shabeeb Mohammed Al-Dhaheri, former deputy speaker and 
two-time appointed member of the FNC. He is currently the Executive 
Director of Scholarships at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. B.A in 
Economics from La Verne University. Born in 1961. 
- Dr. Amal Abdullah Al-Qubeisi, Professor of Architecture at UAE 
University.  Ph.D. in Architecture from UAE University. 
- Rashed Mohamed Ali Al-Marar, joined the UAE Foreign Ministry in 
¶1988. Degree in Marketing from the American College in London. Born 
in 1964. 
 
Fujairah 
-------- 
- Major Dr. Sultan Ahmed Danhani, Director of Human Resource 
Department, Fujairah Police Department. Doctorate from Cairo  Police 
Academy. Born in 1965. 
 
ABU DHABI 00004528  002 OF 002 
 
 
- Ahmed Saeed Al-Danhani, former Ambassador to China, Spain and 
Tunisia, is currently the Director of the Department of Science and 
Research in Abu Dhabi. Graduate of Economy and Political Science 
from UAE University. Born in 1971. 
 
Dubai 
----- 
- Jamal Al-Hai, senior official at the Department of Civil Aviation. 
Bachelor's degree in Administration and Media Communication from UAE 
University. Born in 1960. 
- Khalid Ali Ahmed bin Zayed, Director of Administration for 
Municipality Centers.  Degree in General Administration from UAE 
University. Born in 1964. 
- Sultan Saqr Al-Suweidi, Secretary General of the General Authority 
of Youth and Sports. Bachelor's degree in History from Alexandria 
University in Egypt. Born in 1951. 
- Hussein Al-Sha'afar, a businessman with experience in 
construction, insurance and security systems. Bachelor's degree in 
Business Administration from South Eastern University in London. 
Born in 1968. 
 
Ras Al Khaimah 
-------------- 
- Abdullah Ahmed Al-Shehi, a graduate of Business Administration 
from the UAE University, with experience working in the health 
sector.  Born 1967. 
- Dr. Abdul Rahim Shaheen, a political science professor at UAE 
University, a political commentator, and author of several books 
including a 2006 book on the mission and accomplishment of the FNC. 
Doctorate in Political Science from Cairo University.  Born 1957. 
- Yousef Obaid Al-Nuaimi, Vice Chairman of the RAK Chamber of 
Commerce and Industry.  Bachelor's Degree in English Language from a 
British university.  Born 1953. 
 
-No bio information yet available on the following- 
Sharjah 
------- 
- Dr. Obaid Ali Obaid bin Butti 
- Khalifa Abdullah bin Howaiden 
- Hamad Hareth Al Midfa 
 
Ajman 
------ 
- Hamad bin Abdullah Al Ghafli 
- Khalid Mohamed Bu Shahab 
 
Umm Al Quwain 
-------------- 
- Sultan Saif Al Qubaisi 
- Yousef Ali Fadel bin Fadel 
 
QUINN 
 
 
 
 
 
 
06Cable-Election Results           UNCLASSIFIED