The Flag of United Arab Emirates Compiled by: Mumtaz Hamid Rao

ON 2nd December every year, the United Arab Emirates celebrates its National Day, commemorating the foundation of the Federation on the same date in 1971. The Federation, headed since its establishment by President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is formed of seven members, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ra’s al-Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm al-Qaiwain and Ajman.

The top tier of political authority in the State is the Federal Supreme Council, comprising the rulers of the seven Emirates. Besides President HH Sheikh Zayed, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, these are HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and Federal Vice-President and Prime Minister, HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, HH Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ra’s al-Khaimah, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, HHSheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Mu’alla, Ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain, and HH Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman.’

Political system: The UAE political system is a unique combination of the traditional and the modern, which has enabled the country to develop a modern administrative structure. Besides the FSC, the highest constitutional authority, responsible for laying down the general framework of policy and for approving Federal legislation, the country’s Council of Ministers (Cabinet) is the executive authority for the Federation. The Federal National Council (Parliament) has both a legislative and supervisory role under the Constitution, while the total independence of the Federal Judiciary is guaranteed under the Constitution.

Under the leadership of HH Sheikh Zayed, the country has been a force of moderation in the Middle East, while internally, on the directives’ of the President, the revenues from the UAE’s oil and gas production have been used to develop the State for the benefit of its people. The wise use of those resources has permitted the UAE to undergo a process of complete social and economic transformation over the last 31 years, with the building of modern systems of social services, health and education, as well as transport, communications and welfare.

In one of his regular speeches, President Sheikh Zayed stressed that “our dreams have only come true because of the establishment of the Federation. Our style of life has changed dramatically. That which has been accomplished has exceeded all our expectations.”

Foreign policy: Over the last year, the UAE has continued to promote the development of its political relations with both developed and developing countries. Particular progress has been achieved insofar as the Gulf States, the Arab world and the countries of the Islamic world are concerned, while relations have also continued to develop successfully with other members of the Group of 77 developing countries.

With a consistency in its foreign policy ever since it was established, the UAE has continued to strengthen its role as a significant player within the international community, consolidating its reputation as a country that seeks to promote dialogue and consensus as a tool for the resolution of disputes and which at the same time endeavours to strengthen the legitimacy and authority of international organisations and institutions as to bring justice, peace and reinforce world stability.

At the level of the Arabian Gulf, the UAE has a fundamental tenet of its foreign policy that of enhancing ties with other Gulf States. In 1981, partly in response to these beliefs, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE formed the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The goal of the GCC has been to provide for regional defence and to coordinate policy on trade and economic issues. It also seeks to develop links in a variety of economic fields, including trade, investment, customs, the electricity grid and communications, as well as employment.

The policy of developing ties with other GCC States is keenly encouraged by the UAE President. One milestone reached during the past year was the ratification and signing, in June 2002, of documents completing the demarcation of the border between the UAE and its neighbour, Oman. The agreements were signed during a visit by Oman’s Sultan Qaboos to the UAE.

One issue of regional concern since the foundation of the UAE has been the occupation by Iran, on 29th and 30th November 1971, of the three UAE islands of Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa. Since that time, the UAE has adopted a steady policy of seeking resolution of the problem through diplomatic means or through arbitration, gathering substantial support from the international community. In remarks published on 6th October 2002, President HH Sheikh Zayed reaffirmed his hopes that Iran will respond to the overtures made by the UAE for a peaceful resolution of the issue, and went on to State that in the future, relations between the two countries should adopt a positive tone that would “result in the eradication of all hurdles that stand in the way of achieving a real improvement in our relations.” He added that, following a visit to Iran by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan earlier in the year, there were now real hopes for the commencing of positive serious negotiations with a fixed agenda that could lead to positive results. An official visit by Iranian President Mohammed Khatami to the UAE is now being planned.

Arab solidarity: The UAE has always advocated dialogue as a way of resolving disagreements between Arab countries, with President Sheikh Zayed having stressed on numerous occasions that such dialogue should be carried out in a spirit of fraternity and tolerance, not isolation and fanaticism in order to enhance Arab solidarity. His belief in the necessity of setting aside differences and of fostering harmony among Arab States has formed the basis of the UAE’s approach to Arab affairs. With a spirit of forgiveness, he believes, it should be possible for all countries to resume brotherly relations, this then permitting a review of existing policies and attitudes so that disputes can be resolved. Only thus, he believes, can the Arab nation once again be united and take its proper place in the world.

A key part of the President’s policy towards Arab affairs, clearly reflected in the UAE’s foreign policy, is that of support for the Palestinian people, and their desire to exercise their legitimate rights, to end occupation of their land and to establish their own independent State on their own land, with Jerusalem as its capital. Support for the Palestinian Uprising (Intifada) and for the resistance of the Palestinian people to Israeli violence has, naturally, been an important component of this policy.

Meeting on 14th January 2002 with US Assistant Secretary of State ‘for Middle East Affairs William Burns, Sheikh Zayed emphasised his belief that since the United States is a prime sponsor of the Middle East peace process, so it has a duty to act by ordering an immediate end to Israeli attacks. He stated that the Israeli policies of aggression against Palestinians pose a threat to the security of all countries in the region, going on to note that within the framework of the international alliance to eradicate terrorism, one should not neglect Israeli terrorism in Palestine.

On directives from the President, the UAE has supported or initiated a number of projects to support the Palestinians and to preserve the Arab and Islamic identity of the people in the occupied territories. Thus it has funded various projects to build educational and health centres, and has also donated US $ 27 million for the reconstruction or repair of 800 buildings destroyed by Israel in the Jenin refugee camp early in the year. Among other aid projects have been the provision of funds for the repair of religious buildings damaged by Israeli military action, including both Mosques and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The UAE has also given humanitarian aid for relief projects in other countries, including Afghanistan, Bosnia - Herzegovina and Kosovo.

In a discussion with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on 23rd October 2002 on the regional and international situation, including, in particular, the State of affairs in Iraq and Palestine and the issue of terrorism, President Sheikh Zayed spelt out clearly his belief in the necessity of taking the necessary measures to avoid war. War, he noted, destroys both parties involved.

Late in the year, with the situation in the Arab region and the Gulf becoming increasingly tense, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan made important visits in November to the United States and France.

In Washington, Sheikh Hamdan met with President George W Bush, Vice-President Richard Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice, taking the opportunity to urge the United States to put pressure on Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian land and, thus, to bring to an end the sufferings of the Palestinian people. He also emphasised the UAE’s belief in the necessity of the revival of activity by Quartet group of powers in pursuit of Middle East peace.

Meeting with French President Jacques Chirac in Paris on 15th November, Sheikh Hamdan reiterated the view of the UAE that it was important to work hard to bring about an end to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and to resume peace negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians, in accordance with international resolutions, and the agreements signed by both parties.

On the issue of Iraq’s compliance with resolutions of the United Nations, Sheikh Hamdan said that the UAE viewed Iraq’s acceptance of the UN Security Council resolution No 1441 as a positive step and expressed the hope that the UN inspectors would discharge their duties with utmost transparency, objectivity and neutrality. He also expressed the hope that this Iraqi step would pave the way to a peaceful resolution of the crisis, would protect Iraq’s sovereignty, and would lead to the lifting on the UN sanctions on the country, thus allowing it to resume its rightful place in the Arab, Islamic and international communities.

At the end of 2002, the UAE had diplomatic relations with 143 countries and hosts 71 embassies, compared to three in 1971. There are 35 non-resident Ambassadors and 52 Consulates in Dubai.

The UAE has 44 Embassies abroad, 7 Consulates and two Permanent Missions in New York and Geneva. The country is a member of more than 25 regional and international organisations, and has signed 45 international treaties and conventions, apart from numerous bilateral agreements, including over 60 investment protection agreements, 65 civil aviation agreements and more than 52 cultural agreement.