30th Anniversary of UAE National Day

30th Anniversary of UAE National Day

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On Dec. 2 this year, the federation of the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) marked the 30th anniversary of its national day.
The reports on this page reveal in brief the past, present and
future of the federation.
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Since its creation on Dec. 2, 1971, the UAE -- under the wise
leadership of President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan -- has
adopted a balanced foreign policy that is characterized by
moderation and support of human rights and justice.

This policy is based on dialogue with brotherly and friendly
nations, respect of international laws and conventions,
compliance with United Nations' charters, noninterference in
other countries' internal affairs, observing good neighborliness,
respecting other countries sovereignty over their own territories
and dealing with disputes through peaceful means.

This was clearly expressed by Sheikh Zayed when he said: "As
heads of states, we should deal with each other on the basis of
tolerance, forgiveness and dialogue, not confrontation, war and
destruction. Small countries should do what they can to support
the cause of human rights and justice, even if that clashes with
the superpowers' point of view."

The UAE president has never ceased to defend just causes
worldwide, including the rights of Palestinian and Iraqi peoples.
The UAE would have not reached its respected status worldwide
during the past 29 years had it not been for the profound belief
in extending the hand of friendship and co-operation to all
countries of the world and working hard to instill the spirit of
forgiveness and noble human values so the world can enjoy
security, stability and co-existence between its peoples.

Such values are embodied when Sheikh Zayed noted that "the
pillars of our policy are to do what pleases Allah the Almighty.
Our foreign relations are strictly dependent on mutual respect
with all countries".

Since its creation up to the present day, the UAE has never
deviated from the principles it follows in foreign policy. This
is evident in its distinctive relationship with all Arab, Islamic
and friendly countries.

Since his accession as Ruler of Abu Dhabi on Aug. 6, 1966,
Sheikh Zayed begun building a sound foreign policy for the
federal body he was envisaging, a dream that came true five years
latter.

Reflecting on his deep belief in unity as the best source of
strength, Sheikh Zayed said: "Our belief in national, GCC (Gulf
Co-operation Council), Arab and Islamic unity is unshakable and
beyond any doubt. We do have all the elements (for such a unity)
including a common destiny, goal, language, heritage and faith.

"People accuse me of being a unionist, a charge that I do not
deny, but I do not impose it on others."

Based on his infinite belief in unity, Sheikh Zayed worked
hard with his brothers, leaders of the fellow Arab Gulf
countries, to form the GCC, which was launched on May 25, 1981 in
Abu Dhabi.

"The GCC is an important step to enhance joint co-operation
between the Arab Gulf countries to fulfill aspirations of their
peoples. We do believe that any co-operation between the Gulf
countries is for the benefit of the Arab nation in general and
the Arab League in particular," he said.

The GCC foreign policy, according to Sheikh Zayed, is based on
two parallel tracks, as Arab and Islamic countries are considered
brotherly according to the teachings of Islam.

"On the other track," he continued, "we base our relations on
the grounds that we are part of this vast world and we respect
its people the same way they respect us."

As part of his sincere and courageous stance, President Sheikh
Zayed also strongly condemned the terrible and criminal acts that
took place in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania on Sept. 11
this year.

In a telephone conversation with U.S. President George Bush on
Sept. 17, Sheikh Zayed reaffirmed to the American president the
country's consistent policy of opposition to terrorism in all its
forms and manifestations, saying that "terrorism is repugnant to
Islam and to other divinely-revealed religions" and that it was
"a mortal enemy of humanity as a whole".

Sheikh Zayed also told his American counterpart that terrorism
required solidarity in the international community, so as to
eradicate terrorism wherever it is found. He also reaffirmed the
readiness of the UAE to co-operate in fighting terrorism, in
accordance with its long-stated policy on this matter.

The UAE president, in conclusion, emphasized that
international solidarity against terrorism should be firmly
grounded in basic principles, with no question of double
standards. He added that the United States and the international
community should also work, at the same time, to bring an end to
the Israeli terrorist acts in the occupied Palestinian
territories, so that people around the world did not perceive any
element of injustice.

Sheikh Zayed also believes that there should be a strong
international alliance that worked, in parallel, to exert real
and sincere efforts to bring about a just and lasting solution to
the Middle East conflict.

"The Arabs and the Islamic world cannot accept what is
happening in the occupied Palestinian territories - the daily
killings, deportations and destruction. All of this is
politically and morally unacceptable.

"We request all leaders to work in full frankness on the two
tasks in parallel and at the same time, thus working toward
achieving a just and lasting solution to the Middle East
conflict, based upon the application of international legitimacy
and enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their right to
self-determination, to an end of occupation, and to establishing
their own independent state on their territory with Jerusalem as
its capital." Sheikh Zayed said.

"There will be no permanent peace unless this is done," he
concluded.

The UAE has also raised the issue of global economic
integration, saying it poses daunting challenges to development
in the new millennium as it affected the socio-economic
structure. The country has stressed that a transparent political
leadership is needed to deal with both the opportunities and
dangers of economic globalization.

Currently, the UAE enjoys full diplomatic relations at the
ambassadorial level with 143 countries. The UAE broke diplomatic
ties with the ruling Taliban of Afghanistan on Sept. 22 after it
rejected international efforts to combat terrorism.

This year, the number of resident embassies in Abu Dhabi
reached 69, compared to just three, namely Britain, Pakistan and
the United States, in 1971, while the number of consulates in
Dubai reached 52. There are also 35 non-resident embassies.

In Indonesia, UAE Ambassador Mohammed Sultan Alsowaidi, who
has been posted here since October 1997, said he was particularly
happy to have been posted to this vast country.

"These four years have given me the privilege to learn a lot
about the Indonesian people, the significant events in their
history and struggle, and their varied, unique and interesting
cultures, customs and traditions.

I am sure that the excellent bilateral and cordial relations
which so happily exist between the UAE and Indonesia, will always
be maintained and further strengthened for a long to come, for
the benefit of the two nations," he said.