Khalifa rejects threat of terrorism in UAE

THREAT REJECTED: Sheikh Khalifa (pictured) has said the UAE enjoys

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has rejected recent warnings by foreign governments about the threat of terrorist attacks in the United Arab Emirates.

Sheikh Khalifa said the warnings issued by the UK and US less than two weeks ago were "part of custom followed by them in dealing with any piece of information or rumour that reach them", quoted UAE daily the National on Saturday, citing an interview with Lebanese newspaper Al-Nahar.

The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on June 14 upgraded its UAE terrorism threat level from "general" to "high", but said it was not advising people to change their travel plans.

"We believe terrorists may be planning to carry out attacks in the UAE," the FCO said on its website.

The warning was followed just days later by the US, which urged its citizens in the UAE to "maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times, particularly in public places".

Sheikh Khalifa said the UAE enjoyed "a level of security and stability, which is the envy of other countries", the National reported.

"This security is not only achieved by the security measures and precautions that we take, but also by providing means of decent living and earning in an atmosphere of respect to all who live here.

"Thus, our environment rejects all those who try to undermine its security and stability."

The FCO said the "vast majority" of visits to the UAE were "trouble-free".

The FCO said there was a "general" threat of terrorism in the other five Gulf states, except Saudi Arabia which also has a "high" terrorism threat level.

Excluding Saudi Arabia, terrorist attacks in the Gulf are rare. According to the FCO, the only incident of note was a suicide-bomb attack on March 19, 2005 outside the Doha Players’ Theatre in Qatar. One British national was killed and at least 12 other people were injured. 

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Khalifa rejects threat of terrorism in UAE
Posted by Joe Simm, New York, USA on Monday 30 June 2008 at 19:03 UAE time

Please take note on his below comment..
"This security is not only achieved by the security measures and precautions that we take, but also by providing means of decent living and earning in an atmosphere of respect to all who live here."

Although the UAE does have a peaceful record second to none in the region how can he point to the quality of life for residents in the UAE as his reason for security? The terrorists in Iraq are not Iraqi. Why would one expect any terrorist actions in the UAE to be an Emirati?
The UAE has been a regional hub of trade and financial transaction. All sides to this conflict have an interest in security in the UAE. This is the root cause (in my humble opinion) to the peace thus far. A country can only protect its border so much so although I would be devastated if any violent action took place in the UAE I believe it is naive to rule it out.

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