VZCZCXRO0201
RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHAD #0402 0921455
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 011455Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0670
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000402 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL EAID ECON AE
SUBJECT: BARRELS OF GENEROSITY 
 
Sensitive but unclassified.  Please Protect accordingly. 
 
¶1.  (SBU) With oil prices soaring and petrol-rich Abu Dhabi enjoying 
a booming economy, new building projects are rampant, standards of 
living for UAE citizens are well above comfortable, and an envious 
expatriate community enjoys what perks it can glean from local 
largesse.  Making ends meet at a standard that even attempts to 
"keep up with the al-Joneses" is increasingly beyond the reach of 
many.  Inside sources, however, indicate that the government of Abu 
Dhabi is about to share a perk sure to boost the spirits of the 
downtrodden -- helping foreign diplomats upgrade their 
transportation. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The UAE has always enforced a strict vehicle inspection 
regime, with the slightest dent requiring a police report and 
expeditious repairs.  Foreign diplomats do their best to follow the 
regime, but often take small liberties on the theory that "petty 
infringement," falling under the category of "diplomatic immunity," 
is forgivable, and drive cars somewhat below the prevailing host 
country standard.  Some have even been seen washing each other's 
cars to keep down expenses and keep up appearances.  In the interest 
of hosting a presentably "well-wheeled" diplomatic corps, the Abu 
Dhabi Executive Council is reportedly poised to step in with a 
program to subsidize car purchases for accredited diplomats in the 
emirate.  Under this visionary initiative, arriving diplomats will 
receive vouchers toward purchase of one of the more expensive Toyota 
dune bashers, but may also be able to leverage these funds to 
upgrade to more conservative models of their choice.  Furthermore, 
long and faithful service in the Emirate is anticipated to boost the 
generosity of the allowance. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Comment:  This is the one time that the U.S. Embassy may 
be the beneficiary of Abu Dhabi largesse without extending the tin 
cup -- the staple of demarche regimes of late -- with Embassy morale 
expected to escalate accordingly.  If only it were not April 1.  End 
comment. 
 
QUINN