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Diana T Fritz  02/14/2007 03:40:26 PM  From  DB/Inbox:  Diana T Fritz

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UNCLAS        ABU DHABI 00208

SIPDIS
CXABU:
    ACTION: POL
    INFO:   USLO CONS RSO AMB PAO DCM FCS MGT DAO MEPI P/M
            ECON

DISSEMINATION: POL
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: AMB: MSISON
DRAFTED: POL:RBASSIL
CLEARED: DCM:MQUINN POL:BTHOMSON POL/ECON:KMORRIS

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RR RUEHC RUEHZM
DE RUEHAD #0208/01 0420614
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 110614Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8234
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ABU DHABI 000208 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR DRL, NEA/ARP, and NEA/PPD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM AE
SUBJECT: Federal National Council Set to Convene February 12 - UAEG 
Calls for "New Policy Ideas" 
 
REF: 06 Abu Dhabi 4528 
 
¶1. On February 6, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan 
issued a decree setting the date for the FNC's opening session as 
Monday, February 12.  At the same time he announced that plans were 
under development--and would soon be announced--to strengthen the 
FNC's legislative powers, and called on the council to begin 
developing new ideas.  Addressing the new members on February 6, 
Sheikh Khalifa encouraged members to be innovative, bringing in 
ideas that "reinforce security; promote the value of justice; 
improve the level of transparency, accountability, and integrity; 
and promote rights and freedoms."  The president concluded by 
instructing FNC members: "You are entrusted by the citizens to 
represent them and to reflect their aspirations and needs." 
 
¶2. The 20 seats of the Federal National Council (FNC) left vacant 
following the December 2006 limited elections that elected one-half 
of the Council's membership, were filled on February 4 when Khalifa 
issued a decree appointing another 20 members.  Three of the 
appointed members served in the previous Council.  Appointed members 
included teachers, journalists, business CEOs, academics, and a 
police chief.  Of the 20 appointments made, eight are women, thus 
making 22 percent of the membership women, and relieving public 
concerns that only one woman was elected to the FNC. 
 
¶3. On February 5, Sheikha Fatima, widow of UAE founder Sheikh Zayed, 
who has been the most powerful advocate for UAE women, lauded the 
decision to appoint eight women members, which, she added, reflects 
the trust of the rulers in women, and places a new challenge on them 
to perform.  Dr. Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs, 
expressed pleasure with the final composition of the FNC saying that 
the membership is a mixture of youth and experience, and that the 
council includes the largest percentage of women of any Arab or Gulf 
country.  He urged women members to be innovative, and all members 
to use their knowledge and experience "for the sake of serving the 
country and solving issues."  Labor Minister Dr. Ali Al Kaabi 
congratulated women for "gaining the Rulers' trust." 
 
¶4. The press responded strongly and positively to the announcement 
of an additional 8 women being appointed to the FNC.  In a February 
7 editorial in Arabic daily Al Ittihad, Domestic News Chief Mohammed 
Al Hammadi commented that the new FNC is distinguished both by 
having half of its members elected and including a significant group 
of "elite" women.  He added that the crucial next step is choosing 
an "effective and strong speaker to run the parliament," one who is 
both capable and without bias.  Al Hammadi expressed hope that the 
Ministry of State for FNC Affairs continues its role in attending 
sessions and encouraging citizens' interaction with the council.  On 
the same day, the "Akhbar Al Saah" bulletin, issued by the Emirates 
Center for Strategic Studies and Research, praised the inclusion of 
women members and encouraged them to "contribute effectively to the 
development process" of the country, adding that international 
observers will be monitoring the new political role of women in the 
UAE. 
 
------------------------------------------ 
¶5. FNC Members--Appointed February 4, 2007 
------------------------------------------ 
Note: Some biographic information is still not available. 
 
Abu Dhabi 
--------- 
-- Amer Abdul Jaleel Mohammed Abdul Raheem Al Faheem 
 
-- Abdullah Nasser Huwayleel Al Mansouri 
 
-- Fatima Hamad Nasser Hamad Al Kinaibi Al Mazrouei, Arabic language 
teacher at the UAE University. (female) 
 
-- Mogheer Khamis Mogheer Jabir Al Khaili 
 
Dubai 
----- 
-- Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Ghorair.  Chief Executive Officer at 
Mashreq Bank since 1990, and President of Al Ghurair City Mall.  He 
sits on the Board of Directors of many local and international 
organizations.  He received a Bachelor's degree in Industrial 
Engineering with Honors from California Polytechnic State 
University. 
 
-- Fatima Ghanem bin Ghanem Al Merri.  Educational Consultant at 
Dubai Education Council. Started career as a teacher then was 
promoted to Vice Principal and then Principal of a Dubai-based 
school for 15 years. Bachelor's degree in Education from UAE 
University. (female) 
 
-- Maysaa Rashid Ghadeer.  Assistant Manager for Public Relations 
and Media in 'Sama Dubai' television channel, and a columnist in the 
Dubai-based Arabic daily Al Bayan. (female) 
 
-- Najlaa Faisal Al Awadi.  Deputy Executive Director for Dubai 
Media Corporation, and General Manager of 'Dubai One' television 
channel. She studied History in the United States where she was the 
President of the Muslim Students Club. (female) 
 
Sharjah 
------- 
-- Salem Mohammed bin Salem Al Naqbi.  Main item on his agenda will 
be constitution amendment in relation to the future direct elections 
of FNC members. 
 
-- Ayesha Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi.  Ex-member of the Sharjah 
Consultative Council.  Retired from the Ministry of Health. 
(female) 
 
-- Mohammed Abdullah Ali Al Zaabi.  Deputy Director of Kalba 
Hospital in Sharjah and member of the Sharjah Consultative Council. 
Bachelor's degree in Political and Administrative Sciences from UAE 
University in 1985. 
 
Ras Al Khaimah 
--------------- 
-- Ahmed Mohammed Nasser Al Khatri.  Head of Ras Al Khaimah Courts 
Department and previous member of FNC. 
 
-- Rashid Mohammed Khalfan Al Shiraigi.  Previous Undersecretary at 
the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries 1999-2005.  Master's 
degree with honors in Environmental Sciences and Bachelor's degree 
in Agricultural Sciences from UAE University. 
 
-- Nedal Mohammed Al Tenaiji.  Assistant Professor at UAE 
University; teaches E-learning.  A graduate of U.S. universities. 
Born 1975. (female) 
 
Ajman 
----- 
-- Brig. Ali Majid Al Matroushi.  Chief of Ajman Police since 2001. 
A graduate of the Police Academy in Jordan.  Held various positions 
in Civil Defense as well as police. 
 
-- Alyaa Salem Saeed Al Suwaidi.  Deputy Director of Ajman Medical 
District.  First female deputy director in the Ministry of Health in 
25 years. (female) 
 
Umm Al Quwain 
-------------- 
-- Sultan Khalfan Sultan bin Hussein Al Ali.  Retired officer and 
lawyer.  Main focus will be on education development. 
 
-- Ali Jasem Ahmed Jasem.  Director of Umm Al Quwain radio station 
and previous member of FNC. 
 
Fujairah 
----------- 
-- Rawiyah Saif Sultan Saeed Al Samahi.  Head of the Public Health 
Awareness Department at the Fujairah Municipality.  Studied English 
Literature and Education at the UAE University and has been doing 
voluntary work since 1997 to support women's sports.  Father is an 
ex-member of the FNC. Born 1972, married with three children. 
(female) 
 
-- Saeed Ali Hamad Al Hafri.  Director General of Military Training 
and previous Director General of Fujairah Police. 
 
--------------------------------------- 
¶6. FNC Members - Elected December 16-20 
--------------------------------------- 
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. (female) 
 
-- 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. 
 
-- 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.  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.  Graduate of Business Administration 
from the UAE University, with experience working in the health 
sector.  Born 1967. 
 
-- Dr. Abdul Rahim Shaheen.  Political Science professor at UAE 
University, 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. 
 
Sharjah 
------- 
-- Dr. Obaid Ali bin Butti Al Muhairi.  Works in various fields and 
has been a diplomat, academic, researcher, lecturer, and has helped 
prepare curriculum of schools.  Holds a Doctorate degree in 
Philosophy. 
 
-- Khalifa Abdullah bin Howaiden.  Legal researcher at the 
administrative control department.  A member of the Sharjah 
Consultative Council, and is in the permanent committee for civil 
services.  Married with six children.  Born 1970. 
 
-- Hamad Hareth Al Midfa. Holds a Master's degree from the American 
University of Sharjah and a Bachelor's in Business Administration. 
Married with five children.  Born 1961. 
 
Ajman 
------ 
-- Hamad bin Abdullah Al Ghafli.  Private Secretary to Ruler of 
Ajman.  Studied English and IT in the U.S. and later joined the 
Sheikh Zayed Academy in Al Ain.  Married with 4 children.  Born 
¶1986. 
 
-- Khalid Mohamed Bu Shahab.  Head of passport control at Dubai 
International Airport.  Graduated from Abu Dhabi Police Academy with 
a Diploma in Law.  Married with one child.  Born 1967. 
 
Umm Al Quwain 
-------------- 
-- Sultan Saif Al Qubaisi.  Chairman of Al Kubaisi Group, a group of 
commercial and retail companies in the country and abroad.  Had 
modest upbringings which prevented him from continuing his higher 
education.  Married with 7 children, Born 1958. 
 
-- Yousef Ali Fadel bin Fadel.  Former Executive Director of Dubai 
Islamic Bank.  Earned Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and 
Mathematics from the U.S. in 1983.  Married with five children. 
Born 1959. 
 
SISON 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FNC appointments           UNCLASSIFIED