Not So Fast On the UAE Port Deal...Check This Out...

multiple links on UAE-Iran-USA | 02.21.06 | Me...composite sources

[antaresequity]

There is Obviously way more to the UAE story than just the managment of port operations...I implore all freepers to dig a little deeper...

Credit to Diddle E Squat for getting me to think and dig a little deeper...

Take a look at the map and the links and snippets...then lets get back to a constructive discussion regarding the UAE as an ally or foe in the war on terrorism....and more importantly...a strategic ally in the coming war against Iran...

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Foreign Affairs
The UAE and Iran continue to dispute the ownership of three islands, Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunb Islands, which are strategically located in the Strait of Hormuz. All three islands were effectively occupied by Iranian troops in 1992. The Mubarak field, which is located six miles off Abu Musa, has been producing oil and associated natural gas since 1974. In 1995, the Iranian Foreign Ministry claimed that the islands are "an inseparable part of Iran." Iran rejected a 1996 proposal by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for the dispute to be resolved by the International Court of Justice, an option supported by the UAE. In early 1996, Iran took further moves to strengthen its hold on the disputed islands. These actions included starting up a power plant on Greater Tunb, opening an airport on Abu Musa, and announcing plans for construction of a new port on Abu Musa. In the dispute, the UAE has received strong support from the GCC, the United Nations, and the United States. Although Iran remains a continuing concern for officials in Abu Dhabi, they have chosen not to escalate the territorial dispute. Iran is one of Dubai's major trading partners, accounting for 20 percent to 30 percent of Dubai's business.

Source...

The Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf ( Arabic : ãÌáÓ ÇáÊÚÇæä áÏæá ÇáÎáíÌ ÇáÚÑÈíÉ), formerly named and still commonly called Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC ) (ãÌáÓ ÇáÊÚÇæä ÇáÎáíÌí) is a regional organization involving the six Persian Gulf Arab States with many economic and social objectives in mind. Created May 25 , 1981 , the Council is comprised of Bahrain , Kuwait , Oman , Qatar , Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates .

Source...

Historical analysis indicates that Iran's claims to disputed islands are unfounded

Al Roken, M. / Abu Dhabi Government, UAE , 2001

The chapter discusses the current dispute between the United Arab Emirates and Iran over the three islands of Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa from a historical- legal dimension. The author deals with different axes indicating the historical dimension of the dispute which supports the UAE`s title to the three islands and refutes Iranian claims.

Source...

Iran bars National Geographic over gulf's name

Sales of magazines, reporting banned until atlas is changed

TEHRAN - Iran banned National Geographic reporters and sales of the magazine until it corrects an atlas it published using a disputed name for waters off the Islamic Republic's south coast.

Iran insists on calling the waters the “Persian Gulf.” However, the saltwater body also touches the shores of eastern Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain. Many people in these other states refer to the waters as the “Arabian Gulf.”

Source...

[antaresequity]

I am guilty of a knee jerk...

I think there is more to this than meets the eye...

[antaresequity]

((( Ping )))

You made me stop, think and look around...

[MJY1288]

I hope you have your Nomex Jammies on, cause you're gonna need them :-)

[nutmeg]

bookmark

[US_MilitaryRules]

They are still mooselimbs first. When push comes to shove they will still be mooselimbs.

[Echo Talon]

They will be loading and unloading containers NOT running security operations. I have no problems with them doing the same job that the brits were doing.

[antaresequity]

Who better to cement an alliance with in the Middle East than an entity that already has a more than decade old beef with our number 1 adversary there?Whats the beef?

Three oil and natural gas rich islands that clearly and popularily should belong to UAE but are hotley claimed by the phsycho bunnies from Iran...

[antaresequity]

Bush is playing high stakes poker with domestic politics and global alliances in the Middle East...

Agree or not with this port issue...

You cannont discount the impending and inevitable dawn...we are going to attack Iran...

[smoothsailing]

Thanks for bringing some sanity to the discussion.There's been to much hysteria running around here tonight.

[capt. norm]

Could it be that Mr. Big Mouth, Chuck Schumer, has just stepped into a sucker trap?

Something tells me this will unfold into something entirely different than what it first appeared to be.

[bayourant]

Great post. I wish people would think more here. Here we are preparing for the worse case scenario of having to bomb Iran. Iran might strike back. I suspect the UAE might be a target of that . The fact is we have allies there. I dont know how an American ambassador to this country could convince an Govt for them to risk their property and lives if we say no to Businesses that are arab owned.

[Echo Talon]

Something tells me this will unfold into something entirely different than what it first appeared to be.

To me it already has been, "Ababs are going to be controlling our ports!" then i find out they arent in charge of security and will still use the union workers that they already have and such.

[Mr. Mojo]

Bookmark.

[onyx]

WOW, good research and post!

[antaresequity]

Great post. I wish people would think more here.

I didn't go off the deep end...but I did welcome the warm and fuzzy 'profiling' that the media and general public have engaged in over this port deal...

Diddle E Squat made a point on the veto thread to me that maybe there was a little more to this than meets the eye...

However I love the fact that the nearly the entire congress and media complex are actively profiling right now...

This story is not a story...but a forward or prelude to a much bigger production that is coming...

Its going to be bumpy ride...

Again...thanks Diddlee...

[Cedar]

I think the danger is more (as someone noted earlier) that UAE is "friendly" now, but could fall into dangerous hands at some point in the future.

Would not be a good situation for America.

[RushCrush]

Yep you're right. Thank you for the post, will be watching.....

[Left2Right]

I sure hope you are right. I have a lot of faith our president and constantly see him doing things that are "dumb like a fox", much to the chagrin of his enemies. I think the UAE may be a lot more progressive than many realize.

I pulled this from the UAE website:

"Since the nomadic days, the women of the UAE have played a pivotal role.
When the men were occupied in the fishing and pearling industry, the women took care of agriculture, rearing of livestock and bringing up the children…no mean task in the desert land.

The first women's association in the country, the Abu Dhabi Women's Association, was formed in February 1973 by First Lady, H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. In 1975, the women’s associations in the seven emirates were brought together under the UAE Women's Federation.

She still serves as the Chairwoman. Her commitment and dedication towards the cause of woman in the UAE has won her accolades and praise from the United Nations Organization for Women. The UAE Women's Federation covers topics such as Religious Affairs, Mother and Child Care, Social Affairs, Cultural Affairs, Arts and Sports.

The UAE Constitution too ensures women’s equality with men and protects their rights in accordance with the rights and privileges laid down in Islam. They enjoy the same legal status, title claims, access to education, the right to a profession of their choice, health and family welfare facilities and rights with regard to the inheritance of property are also guaranteed.

The UAE University and HCTs are producing women graduates in disciplines such as the arts, engineering, sciences, including environmental sciences, media and communications, as well as computer technology. Women are now found in the fields of business, technology, aviation, armed forces, literature etc."

Sound like their attitudes toward women are on the right track and that's a big step in the right direction for this region.

[antaresequity]

thanks for pinging the list...

Oh..did you see natural gas was up 7.36% today...

He eh