There have been updates to the UAE story from the forum linked here:
http://www.tvforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12458&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=12
BBC WORLD
Joined: 22 Aug 2004
Posts: 132
Sorry, but I can only talk about this via PM. Local customs require that public posting about this would not be tolerated / poltically correct. As I am 3 - 4 hours ahead of most of you, please excuse delays in my reply due to the time difference.
It now looks as though Ramadan will be declared tomorrow or Saturday. This is signfificant. Please check your PM's those who have contacted me.
Thanks.
Posted on: 14th Oct 2004 6:29am
Media Hack
Joined: 09 Sep 2004
Posts: 12
ITV Region:
Carlton / LWT
It is the announcement of a death , rumour is he is in the ICU with a decision to be made when to pull the plug - deferring the announcement to Ramadan takes advantage of an auspicious day in Islam and a day befitting a 98 year old much loved and respected leader. I have heard that it's all over now but they are sitting on the news break until Friday (first day of Ramadan)
BBC WORLD
Joined: 22 Aug 2004
Posts: 133
ITV Region:
Scottish
Media Hack
I will not confirm or deny what you have written above. Please see your PM's. Posting as much detail as you have is unwise in my part of the world due to local sensitivities, which is why I have so far refrained from doing so.
The Middle Eastern cultures are a tad sensitive and traditional when it comes to such matters.
Best regards - see your PM.
The person mentioned in the second post above presumably refers to Sheikh Zayed, although the poster got the age wrong, according to this biog
http://guide.theemiratesnetwork.com/basics/zayed.php Sheikh Zayed is in fact 86.