  We report on two XMM-Newton observations performed in 2006 of the luminous
low-mass X-ray binary XB1832-330 which is located in the galactic globular
cluster NGC 6652 and is probably an ultracompact binary (orbital period less
than 1 hour). The aim of these observations is to investigate the low-energy
absorption towards NGC6652 and in particular to search for Ne-rich material
local to the binary, which has been suggested as a possible spectral signature
of Neon rich degenerate companions. XMM-Newton observed the source twice, in
2006 September and October. High resolution spectroscopy with the RGS was used
to estimate the ratio of the neutral neon to oxygen column densities to search
for an anomalous Ne abundance in this X-ray binary. We find no evidence for
anomalous Ne/O ratios, finding Ne/O=0.18+/-0.06 and Ne/O=0.17+/-0.03 (1 sigma
uncertainties), in the two observations, respectively. These values are
consistent with that in the interstellar medium. Timing analysis of EPIC data
suggests possible periodicities at 9170+/-235 s and 18616 +/- 531 s, which need
confirmation. A by-product of these observations consists of the spatial
analysis of the source field, which resulted in the detection of 46 faint
sources within the EPIC field of view, which are not present in the Second
XMM-Newton Serendipitous Source Catalogue. All these faint sources are likely
foreground objects. We performed the first high spectral resolution
observations of XB1832-33, a probable ultracompact binary, without finding any
evidence for an anomalous Ne abundance.
