Possibly before 9/11 but after? No way. This was someone who pulled us out of the Law of the Sea Treaty because he saw that for what it was, an attack on our sovereignty.
I think you're right. But the strange thing is if 9/11 did NOT happen I would think that the chances of UAE doing something nefarious would be greater(and I am not saying they have any intention of doing evil). With 9/11, the UAE must know they will be under the microscope. I would think they would be more concerned than anyone else with something happening at the ports while they are in charge of operations.