We look forward to make the Arab Summit a turning point : UAE President (1st ADD)
X X X X X X -- interview Following is the full transcript of the interview.
Q- The first question has to do with the democratic experience which took a new shape in the UAE with the partial and transitional elections to the Federal National Council (FNC). The significance of these elections is well-known. The question now is was this step a result of a political development? Was it a necessity at this time or was it just an imitation of and compliance with international current trends? A - We in the UAE take our decisions, build our policy and adopt our options according to our national interests and the ambitions of our people. Since we don't live on an isolated island, it is normal that we should often our ambitions, aspirations and projects in harmony with the regional and international changes.
Our country is an active participant in both the regional and the international arenas. It is a two-way reaction. However, the form that we agreed on to develop our develop our political experience is neither imposed on us nor is it cloned. Rather, it is a purely national trend, dictated by necessities and national demands, the requirements of modern times, and the deep transition through which the UAE is passing Definitely, this step is not isolated or separated from the overall development that our country, as well as the whole region, is undergoing in all areas. We are confident that this experience will drive the national movement toward more national action in service of our country, people and nation.
Q - In the recent years, UAE women's role in public life has been highly visible. The government was quick to give a big boost to women's participation in the cabinet and then in the FNC.
How wide the door will stay open for women to play a political role in the UAE? A - The visibility and emergence of women in the UAE public life has been based on national development options. We have achieved our ambitions regarding the empowerment of women. In civil life, no discrimination whatsoever is exercised against women. All UAE women enjoy their full rights and shoulder all their responsibilities.
Their participation in the recent FNC elections - as candidates and as voters - has been complementary to their role in public life. The success they have achieved so far in all areas is an indication of their ability to achieve success in the parliamentary arena and to explain, in a better way, women's issues, and those of family welfare and children's welfare, along with their role in administration and planning for the country. They do, after all, make up half of its population. We are fully confident that women are half of society. Other societies which have been unable to employ this half are insufficient and failing societies.
What has been available to women here is neither gift-giving nor largesse. Rather, it is the nature of things. Before assuming the roles of ministers or representatives, UAE women have been, and still are, mothers, house-wives, workers, investors, physicians, teachers, poetesses, women of letters and social activists. In the UAE, we have gone beyond discrimination between women and men and the standards are efficiency, capability and excellence.
We take pride in what we have achieved.
Q -The accelerating economic activity in the UAE and the expatriate labour force which fits into this have recently resulted in problems which have become apparent and have led to criticism of the UAE society. Some have tried to give it a political shape. How do you see this issue and in what way do you address it? A - The overall development that our country is enjoying is not taking place haphazardly. Nor does it overlook demographic, social and security considerations. We admit the demographic imbalance we have, as do all other Gulf countries, and our need to achieve our economic ambitions and expansion in industry, tourism and urban development. That meant we had to inevitably use expatriate labour. However we believe that it is not impossible to control the situation and we are currently making efforts to adjust the imbalance to safe levels and therefore properly handle it in a way that preserves the security of our country and the identity of our citizens. Most of the recently published reports on the rights of expatriate labour in the UAE fall short in their reasoning reason and include a great deal of unfairness and arbitrariness. They intentionally (in our view) ignore the UAE's efforts to protect the rights of expatriate workers and to provide them with the means to lead a proper life. Based on our belief in the significance of expatriate workers as well as in the fact that we do need them, we have been keen to make laws and rules to regulate their entry, residence and work to make sure their rights are protected according to national laws and international treaties. In addition, we have developed a health insurance system to include all groups of expatriate workers and set up a court to take care of their complaints and grievances.
We also introduced adequate procedures to provide health and safety standards for them in their accommodation as well as in their work places. The Ministry of Labour has created an investigation body that is charged with making sure those standards are met.
It is regrettable that those unfair reports don't make any mention of those aspects and completely ignore that these expatriate workers remit to their countries annually sums that amount to 8 to 9.5% of the UAE GDP.
Q - A recent notable development has been the setting up of has been known as the Arab Quartet with the UAE joining Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. Can we consider that Committee to be an Arab bloc that has a political identity and has the capability to form a distinct axis in Arab politics and in handling the Palestinian issue, in particular? A - It is not more than a contact group that is commissioned by Arab parties to sit with representatives of the international parties with influence, namely the US and the international Quartet, in order to convey and explain the Arab viewpoint. It is part of the Arab diplomatic action which aims to persuade the international players to support efforts to revive the peace process, to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to create a Palestinian state, along with supporting the current Palestinian Authority and obtaining recognition of the National Unity Government which has been formed according to Mecca Agreement. Before that, though, it will be necessary to push the Israelis to make positive steps on the Arab Peace Initiative.
Q - This quartet made its debut through the recent meeting that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held in Egypt with intelligence chiefs of the four Arab countries. Has the security aspect been a key factor to the emergence of this Quartet? A -Security coordination is not something new, particularly in the light of the current international and regional situation where security threats have gone global and cross-border in terms of their trends and the spreading of them. To achieve the minimum level of global security and stability, there must be coordination and cooperation, exchange of information and joint analysis of data and this is to be in line with the interests of all parties.
This process doesn't imply anything shameful or degrading with regards to the sovereignty or independence of those four states.
We also should not ignore the fact that the problems from which the Middle East is suffering are all security-related or have an impact on security within the borders of those states or in their neighbouring countries.
Q - Will here be any coordination between the Arab Quartet and the International Quartet? And will the Arab Quartet be independent in handling the Palestinian issue? A -This coordination is there and on-going between the two Quartets. Some of the parties to the Arab Quartet have participated in the meetings of the International Quartet and the Arab Quartet has conveyed to the international parties Arab viewpoints and proposals. We, as Arabs, don't want the International Quartet to be the only party that is concerned with formulating the agenda of the peace process. We hope the current coordination between the two Quartets would contribute to explaining the position of Arabs and to achieving tangible results that could affect the stated positions of the International Quartet and develop its attitude, in particular to the fact that no comprehensive normalisation of relations with Israel can take place before the achieving of a comprehensive and just peace and the complete Israeli withdrawal from the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Golan Heights and Southern Lebanon (i.e. on the basis of land-for-peace), returning to negotiations on the basis of the two--state solution (Israel and Palestine) and recognising the right of return for Palestinian refugees, based on United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution 194.
Q - A clear difference has become apparent between the Arab Quartet and the International Quartet in their attitudes towards dealing with Hamas and the National Unity Government formed pursuant to the Mecca Agreement. What is the UAE position on this and how will the UAE deal with this government? A - Differences are something natural. We hope that the current contacts between the Arab Quartet and the International Quartet would move the international parties towards respecting the Palestinian choices, recognising the Palestinian National Unity Government, enabling it to play its role and lifting the economic and humanitarian siege laid to the Palestinian people.
We hope the International Quartet will benefit from past lessons.
As for the position of the UAE, it is completely in line with the Arab position. We called upon the parties with influence to shoulder their political and ethical responsibilities and to force Israel to respect the UN resolutions and to stop torturing the Palestinian people and institutions.
---MORE--- WAM/MMYS 18 08 CCCCQQE
Q- The first question has to do with the democratic experience which took a new shape in the UAE with the partial and transitional elections to the Federal National Council (FNC). The significance of these elections is well-known. The question now is was this step a result of a political development? Was it a necessity at this time or was it just an imitation of and compliance with international current trends? A - We in the UAE take our decisions, build our policy and adopt our options according to our national interests and the ambitions of our people. Since we don't live on an isolated island, it is normal that we should often our ambitions, aspirations and projects in harmony with the regional and international changes.
Our country is an active participant in both the regional and the international arenas. It is a two-way reaction. However, the form that we agreed on to develop our develop our political experience is neither imposed on us nor is it cloned. Rather, it is a purely national trend, dictated by necessities and national demands, the requirements of modern times, and the deep transition through which the UAE is passing Definitely, this step is not isolated or separated from the overall development that our country, as well as the whole region, is undergoing in all areas. We are confident that this experience will drive the national movement toward more national action in service of our country, people and nation.
Q - In the recent years, UAE women's role in public life has been highly visible. The government was quick to give a big boost to women's participation in the cabinet and then in the FNC.
How wide the door will stay open for women to play a political role in the UAE? A - The visibility and emergence of women in the UAE public life has been based on national development options. We have achieved our ambitions regarding the empowerment of women. In civil life, no discrimination whatsoever is exercised against women. All UAE women enjoy their full rights and shoulder all their responsibilities.
Their participation in the recent FNC elections - as candidates and as voters - has been complementary to their role in public life. The success they have achieved so far in all areas is an indication of their ability to achieve success in the parliamentary arena and to explain, in a better way, women's issues, and those of family welfare and children's welfare, along with their role in administration and planning for the country. They do, after all, make up half of its population. We are fully confident that women are half of society. Other societies which have been unable to employ this half are insufficient and failing societies.
What has been available to women here is neither gift-giving nor largesse. Rather, it is the nature of things. Before assuming the roles of ministers or representatives, UAE women have been, and still are, mothers, house-wives, workers, investors, physicians, teachers, poetesses, women of letters and social activists. In the UAE, we have gone beyond discrimination between women and men and the standards are efficiency, capability and excellence.
We take pride in what we have achieved.
Q -The accelerating economic activity in the UAE and the expatriate labour force which fits into this have recently resulted in problems which have become apparent and have led to criticism of the UAE society. Some have tried to give it a political shape. How do you see this issue and in what way do you address it? A - The overall development that our country is enjoying is not taking place haphazardly. Nor does it overlook demographic, social and security considerations. We admit the demographic imbalance we have, as do all other Gulf countries, and our need to achieve our economic ambitions and expansion in industry, tourism and urban development. That meant we had to inevitably use expatriate labour. However we believe that it is not impossible to control the situation and we are currently making efforts to adjust the imbalance to safe levels and therefore properly handle it in a way that preserves the security of our country and the identity of our citizens. Most of the recently published reports on the rights of expatriate labour in the UAE fall short in their reasoning reason and include a great deal of unfairness and arbitrariness. They intentionally (in our view) ignore the UAE's efforts to protect the rights of expatriate workers and to provide them with the means to lead a proper life. Based on our belief in the significance of expatriate workers as well as in the fact that we do need them, we have been keen to make laws and rules to regulate their entry, residence and work to make sure their rights are protected according to national laws and international treaties. In addition, we have developed a health insurance system to include all groups of expatriate workers and set up a court to take care of their complaints and grievances.
We also introduced adequate procedures to provide health and safety standards for them in their accommodation as well as in their work places. The Ministry of Labour has created an investigation body that is charged with making sure those standards are met.
It is regrettable that those unfair reports don't make any mention of those aspects and completely ignore that these expatriate workers remit to their countries annually sums that amount to 8 to 9.5% of the UAE GDP.
Q - A recent notable development has been the setting up of has been known as the Arab Quartet with the UAE joining Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. Can we consider that Committee to be an Arab bloc that has a political identity and has the capability to form a distinct axis in Arab politics and in handling the Palestinian issue, in particular? A - It is not more than a contact group that is commissioned by Arab parties to sit with representatives of the international parties with influence, namely the US and the international Quartet, in order to convey and explain the Arab viewpoint. It is part of the Arab diplomatic action which aims to persuade the international players to support efforts to revive the peace process, to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to create a Palestinian state, along with supporting the current Palestinian Authority and obtaining recognition of the National Unity Government which has been formed according to Mecca Agreement. Before that, though, it will be necessary to push the Israelis to make positive steps on the Arab Peace Initiative.
Q - This quartet made its debut through the recent meeting that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held in Egypt with intelligence chiefs of the four Arab countries. Has the security aspect been a key factor to the emergence of this Quartet? A -Security coordination is not something new, particularly in the light of the current international and regional situation where security threats have gone global and cross-border in terms of their trends and the spreading of them. To achieve the minimum level of global security and stability, there must be coordination and cooperation, exchange of information and joint analysis of data and this is to be in line with the interests of all parties.
This process doesn't imply anything shameful or degrading with regards to the sovereignty or independence of those four states.
We also should not ignore the fact that the problems from which the Middle East is suffering are all security-related or have an impact on security within the borders of those states or in their neighbouring countries.
Q - Will here be any coordination between the Arab Quartet and the International Quartet? And will the Arab Quartet be independent in handling the Palestinian issue? A -This coordination is there and on-going between the two Quartets. Some of the parties to the Arab Quartet have participated in the meetings of the International Quartet and the Arab Quartet has conveyed to the international parties Arab viewpoints and proposals. We, as Arabs, don't want the International Quartet to be the only party that is concerned with formulating the agenda of the peace process. We hope the current coordination between the two Quartets would contribute to explaining the position of Arabs and to achieving tangible results that could affect the stated positions of the International Quartet and develop its attitude, in particular to the fact that no comprehensive normalisation of relations with Israel can take place before the achieving of a comprehensive and just peace and the complete Israeli withdrawal from the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Golan Heights and Southern Lebanon (i.e. on the basis of land-for-peace), returning to negotiations on the basis of the two--state solution (Israel and Palestine) and recognising the right of return for Palestinian refugees, based on United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution 194.
Q - A clear difference has become apparent between the Arab Quartet and the International Quartet in their attitudes towards dealing with Hamas and the National Unity Government formed pursuant to the Mecca Agreement. What is the UAE position on this and how will the UAE deal with this government? A - Differences are something natural. We hope that the current contacts between the Arab Quartet and the International Quartet would move the international parties towards respecting the Palestinian choices, recognising the Palestinian National Unity Government, enabling it to play its role and lifting the economic and humanitarian siege laid to the Palestinian people.
We hope the International Quartet will benefit from past lessons.
As for the position of the UAE, it is completely in line with the Arab position. We called upon the parties with influence to shoulder their political and ethical responsibilities and to force Israel to respect the UN resolutions and to stop torturing the Palestinian people and institutions.
---MORE--- WAM/MMYS 18 08 CCCCQQE