Posted on 02/24/2006 4:45:51 PM PST by Frank T
Background Note: United Arab EmiratesPeople
Nationality: Noun and adjective--U.A.E., Emirati.
Population (2004 est.): 4.3 million.
Annual growth rate: 6.9%.
Ethnic groups: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Egyptian, Jordanian, Iranian, Filipino, Other Arab, (15-20% of residents are U.A.E. citizens).
Religions: Muslim (96%), Hindu, Christian.
Languages: Arabic (official), English, Hindi, Urdu, Persian.
Education: Years compulsory--ages 6-12. Literacy (U.A.E. citizens)--about 80%.
Health: Life expectancy--About 74 yrs.
Work force (2003) 2.485 million (93% foreign in 15-64 age group): Agriculture--8%; industry--32%; services--60%.PEOPLE
Only 15-20% of the total population of 4.041 million are U.A.E. citizens. The rest include significant numbers of other Arabs--Palestinians, Egyptians, Jordanians, Yemenis, Omanis--as well as many Iranians, Pakistanis, Indians, Bangladeshis, Afghanis, Filipinos, and west Europeans.
The majority of U.A.E. citizens are Sunni Muslims with a small Shi'a minority. Most foreigners also are Muslim, although Hindus and Christians make up a portion of the U.A.E.'s foreign population.
Educational standards among U.A.E. citizens population are rising rapidly. Citizens and temporary residents have taken advantage of facilities throughout the country. The UAE University in Al Ain had roughly 17,000 students in 2004. The Higher Colleges of Technology, a network of technical-vocational colleges, opened in 1989 with men’s and women’s campuses in each emirate. Zayed University for women opened in 1998 with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
GOVERNMENT
Administratively, the U.A.E. is a loose federation of seven emirates, each with its own ruler. The pace at which local government in each emirate evolves from traditional to modern is set primarily by the ruler. Under the provisional constitution of 1971, each emirate reserves considerable powers, including control over mineral rights (notably oil) and revenues. In this milieu, federal powers have developed slowly. The constitution established the positions of President (Chief of State) and Vice President, each serving 5-year terms; a Council of Ministers, led by a Prime Minister (head of government); a supreme council of rulers; and a 40-member National Assembly, a consultative body whose members are appointed by the emirate rulers.
(snip)
Anybody wonder what military aircraft they prefer and fly? F-16s. ... and their training happens in Arizona. Hmmm, how did they get F-16s and who let them come to Arizona to train .... hmmmm ..... Bill Clinton. (Bill, better tell Hillary before she makes a fool of herself again).
We don't agree with the policies of China, yet we still do business with them.
Saying that we shouldn't do business with the UAE because we don't like the philosophy of their government is a really bad argument.
If we applied such naive idealism consistently, we wouldn't be able to do business with over half the world.
Well, they were asking for F-18s. At least they didn't get approval for that.
Timothy McVeigh was from New York. Hillary and Schmuckie better stay outta this.
Okay, let the UAE run the harbor--- but bring in Israel for security. Let's see how "friendly" they are to that suggestion.
"If we applied such naive idealism consistently, we wouldn't be able to do business with over half the world."
Much of this international business is done through shipping ports. That is why they must be secure.
Nations don't have "friends", Nations have a relationship with other Nations that is in mutual self interest for a certain period of time.
>>The F-16 export has quite a bit of momentum built around the world.
Now that is an understatement! LOL. How many did they build--about 5000?
I agree with you that we should reserve the words "friend" and "ally" for those special countries that truly deserve it. And of course, our policy should reflect that consideration.
The author of this article--Alex Alexiev--stipulates that there is no security threat with this port deal. From that point, he argues that we should oppose this deal because of "the nature of the UAE state and the philosophy of government it represents". This sounds rather absurd. If we applied this standard consistently, we would not be doing business with most of the world. How does THAT help our interests?
The second argument put forth--that the UAE has supported terrorism in the past--is more interesting. There is, no doubt, evidence to this effect. However, Saudi Arabia also has a history of supporting terrorism, yet we still do business with them. So this argument leaves a lot to be desired. How do we square pre-9/11 support for terrorism with a sincere post-9/11 desire to "get on our side"? Our actions in Iraq and Afghanistan have sent a powerful message in that part of the world. We should welcome the opportunity to draw some of these countries over to our side and reap the benefits of our strong post-9/11 actions. I am quite assured that the U.S. has no illusions regarding the UAE, but that we have made a calculated decision to give *some* trust and benefits in exchange for cooperation in the WoT. The UAE will be much less interested in funding radical Islam and terrorism when it has a 6 billion dollar deal hanging in the balance.
Semper Fi
So, it's just business. The owners were British, now they will be UAE. Oops, the foot's in the door and what dirt is sticking to the foot. They will have to clean up their act before they can be trusted.
Surely, you jest!
I sincerely doubt that $6 Billion would amount to more than a pimple on a flea's ass, when it comes to succeeding in the goal of Militant Wahhabi Islam...... World Domination.
They would blow off that $6 Billion without thought, if they could deal a deadly blow to the West..
In a New York Second...... again.
Semper Fi
Good point.
From the article:
The monthly journal of the Muslim World League indicates that the UAE and the potentates ruling them have donated large sums of money to virtually all of the Saudi-controlled instruments of spreading radical Islam, such as the Muslim World League, the Islamic Development Bank, the World Council of Mosques, and the Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF), etc., for nearly three decades now.
Saudi controlled instruments of spreading radical Islam = Militant Wahhabi Islam..
Semper Fi
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.