Wikileaks Exposes Secret Deal To Get Saudi Arabia On UN Human Rights Council

Wikileaks Exposes Secret Deal To Get Saudi Arabia On UN Human Rights Council. (Mintpress).

In a classic case of you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours, the leaked cables ─ translated by UN Watch ─ allege that a secret vote trading deal was made by Britain and Saudi Arabia to ensure both countries were elected to the council.

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR) is tasked with the promotion and protection of human rights throughout the world. What’s remarkably under-reported (yet unsurprising) is the claim that notorious human rights abuser, Saudi Arabia, pledged $1 million to UNHRC prior to winning the blood-stained seat.

What is surprising is the next chapter in the farcical saga.

Passed to Wikileaks in June, the classified files refer to Saudi talks with British diplomats prior to the November 2013 vote in New York.

One read: “The delegation is honoured to send to the ministry the enclosed memorandum, which the delegation has received from the permanent mission of the United Kingdom asking it for the support and backing of the candidacy of their country to the membership of the human rights council (HRC) for the period 2014-2016, in the elections that will take place in 2013 in the city of New York.”

The leaked files then elaborate on the trading of “support” between the two countries:

“The ministry might find it an opportunity to exchange support with the United Kingdom, where the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would support the candidacy of the United Kingdom to the membership of the council for the period 2014-2015 in exchange for the support of the United Kingdom to the candidacy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, said, “Based on the evidence, we remain deeply concerned that the UK may have contracted to elect the world’s most misogynistic regime as a world judge of human rights.” The latest glimpse into Britain’s shoulder-rubbing with prolific human rights violators was revealed as the Saudi kingdom pummels Yemen for the sixth month and Saudi blogger Raif Badawi languishes behind bars for writing about democracy.

As the kingdom that has beheaded over 100 people this year prepares to crucify a 17-year-old for taking part in demonstrations, Britain’s insincere boasting about being a strong promoter of human rights sounds more hollow than ever.

This article (Wikileaks Exposes Secret Deal to Get Saudi Arabia on UN Human Rights Council) is free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Michaela Whitton and the AntiMedia.org.

Share this article!

"Yes We Scan" - France-UAE Satellite Deal Shaky After U.S. Spy Tech Discovered On board.

"Yes We Scan" - France-UAE Satellite Deal Shaky After U.S. Spy Tech Discovered On board.(Space War).

The sale of two intelligence satellites to the UAE by France for nearly a billion dollars could go south after they were found to contain American technology designed to intercept data transmitted to the ground station.

The equipment, costing 3.4 billion dirhams ($930 million), constitutes two high-resolution Pleiades-type Falcon Eye military intelligence satellites, which a top UAE defense source has said contain specific US-made components designed to intercept the satellites’ communications with their accompanying ground station, Defensenews.com said in a report.

“The discovery [of the US-made components] was reported to the [office of the] deputy supreme commander [Sheikh Mohamm ed Bin Zayed] in September,” an unnamed defense source said.

“We have requested the French to change these components and also consulted with the Russian and Chinese firms.”Read the full story here.

UAE sentences scores of Islamists over 'plotting Islamist coup'.

UAE sentences scores of Islamists over 'plotting Islamist coup'.(TOI).

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates: More than 65 suspects accused of plotting an Islamist coup in the United Arab Emirates received prison sentences of up to 15 years on Tuesday in a mass trial that underscored the widening crackdowns on perceived Arab Spring-inspired dissent across the entire Gulf Arab region.

Rights groups have accused the UAE of widespread violations including jailhouse abuses against the 94 suspects on trial. The suspects included teachers, lawyers and even the cousin of one of the UAE's rulers.

Authorities have rejected the claims and have moved ahead with further arrests sweeps targeting suspected groups linked to Islamist networks such as Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood.

The UAE — which allows no political parties — has not faced any street protests or direct pressures since the Arab Spring uprisings began in the region more than two years ago.

But Western-backed officials have turned their attention to suspected Islamist cells and online activists who have called for a greater public voice in the tightly controlled country.

Prominent rights activist Ahmed Mansoor — who was jailed in some of the first UAE crackdowns after the Arab Spring — said prison terms of 15 years were given to eight suspects tried in absentia.

Ten-year sentences were handed to 60 others, including Sheikh Sultan bin Kayed al-Qasimi, who was head of a group known as al-Islah, or Reform. He is a cousin of the ruler in Ras al-Khaimah, the northernmost of the UAE's seven emirates.

At least 26 of the suspects were acquitted, Mansoor said.

Security was tight around the court on Tuesday with many foreign journalists, family members and observers blocked from the session. The Abu Dhabi-based newspaper The National reported that chants of "Allahu Akbar," or God is Great, came from defendants and some relatives as the verdicts were read.

Mansoor said at least two brothers of the suspects were detained hours before the verdicts were handed down, reflecting wider trends across the Gulf as leaders attempt to quash any challenges to their rule.

Dozens of people have been jailed across the Gulf for blog posts and Twitter messages deemed offensive to rulers. Authorities across the Gulf also have claimed to have dismantled alleged espionage rings — some accused of links to rival Iran or its proxy Hezbollah.

But the UAE has been the most aggressive in moving against suspected threats from Islamist groups.

Last month, UAE officials said they plan another high-profile trial against 30 Egyptian and UAE suspects for alleged coup plots linked to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood.

The case raised tensions with the Brotherhood-led government of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi who is now under extreme pressure at home from protesters and military officials calling for him to step down.

In the Emirates' case against the 94 suspects, prosecutors claimed that the group al-Islah — which was headed by the ruler's cousin al-Qasimi — was influenced by Muslim Brotherhood ideology to oppose the Western-oriented system in the UAE.

The suspects rejected the claims, saying the group only supported Islamic viewpoints and conducted needed social outreach in poorer areas of the country beyond the skylines of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Al-Islah has operated openly for decades in the UAE under the tactic agreement that members would not get involved in political affairs.

In London, the director of the Emirates Center for Human Rights said the aim of the trial was to "silence political activists and intimidate others who may support democratic reforms."

"Allegations of torture remain without investigation and numerous fair trial standards have been violated," said Rori Donaghy.

"UAE authorities must quash these verdicts, release these individuals against whom they have presented no credible evidence and investigate the allegations of torture that have been made," Donaghy added.More here.

"BUSTED" - United Arab Emirates Sharjah Police bust porn factory producing 15,000 CDs a day.

"BUSTED" - United Arab Emirates Sharjah Police bust porn factory producing 15,000 CDs a day.(E24/7).

The Criminal Investigation Department of the Sharjah Police has arrested three Asians on charges of producing, promoting and selling pornographic movies and content containing pornography.

The accused, using computer technology, created porn CDs in large quantities, and then promoted and sold them in many areas in Sharjah, especially targeting neighbourhoods where singles reside.

Acting on a tip-off the CID tracked down one of the accused to his residence in an industrial area in the emirate.

A CID team then conducted a raid and found computers, CD-ROMS, printers and copiers used to duplicate and create the porn films. Investigations revealed that the accused created as many as 15,000 copies of per day.

The accused have confessed to the charges and have been referred to the Public Prosecution.

The Sharjah Police have called on the public to cooperate to inform them about any similar activities in their neighbourhoods. Hmmmm.....'if you see something, say something'.....you could call Wall Mart as well.Read the full story here.

Canadian Palestinian held for stabbing imam at UAE university.

Canadian Palestinian held for stabbing imam at UAE university.(GM). A Canadian citizen of Palestinian descent has been detained in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, for allegedly stabbing a university imam.

Local media say the suspect attacked American University of Sharjah imam, Diaa Al Swaidan, when he was walking home after prayers Wednesday afternoon.

The imam suffered only minor injuries.

The suspect, a former student at the school identified only as Ahmad, was arrested after he crashed his car during a police chase.

Police were quoted as saying that the attacker was suffering from psychological problems.

The incident provoked a brief lockdown at the university.Read the full story here.

Boston Bombing Coincidence?........Arab Al Qaeda Cell Is Arrested In UAE.

Boston Bombing Coincidence?........Arab Al Qaeda Cell Is Arrested In UAE.(SKY).Authorities in the Gulf State said the seven were various Arab nationalities and had been recruiting, financing and providing logistical support to the terror organisation.

State news agency WAM also reported that the group had sought to expand their activities to other countries in the region.

"The cell was planning actions that would target the country's security and the safety of its citizens and residents, and was carrying out recruitment, and promoting the actions of al Qaeda," WAM said.

"It was also supplying it [al Qaeda] with money and providing logistical support and seeking to expand its activities to some regional countries."

The gang will be questioned and put on trial, the statement added.

The US-allied UAE is a federation of seven emirates and a major trading hub that has supported Western efforts to counter militancy in the region.

Its population, estimated at over eight million, comprises nearly 90% foreigners lured by work opportunities in the wealthy country.

It has been spared any attack by al Qaeda and other insurgency groups but some of its emirates have seen a rise in Islamist sentiment in recent years.

In December, the UAE said it had arrested a cell of UAE and Saudi Arabian members of a "deviant group" which was planning to carry out militant attacks in both countries and other states.

The phrase "the deviant group" is often used by authorities in Saudi Arabia to describe al Qaeda members. Hmmmm......We'll deport your nationals, just give us something in return comes to mind.Read the full story here.

"Turkey future Nr. 1 Arms dealer of the Middle East?" - Turkish unmanned aircraft to be produced serially.

"Turkey future Nr. 1 Arms dealer of the Middle East?" - Turkish unmanned aircraft to be produced serially.(HD).The serial production of Turkish local unmanned aircraft ANKA will begin as developer Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is set to sign a contract with the Defense Industry Undersecretary in one to two months, the undersecretary has said.

Some features of the craft are to be developed as well, according to Defense Industry Undersecretary Murad Bayer.

Bayar noted that ANKA is actually a national design development project and the final acceptance tests of the vehicle were completed last month. The tests included an over 18-hour-long test flight, demonstration of full endurance, 200 km data link range performance under winds reaching 45 knots and night take-offs and landings.

The next stage is the serial production of 10 ANKA systems for the Turkish Air Force, whose contract negotiations for it are already underway, Bayar said.

“These systems will have a more progressive design and features than regular design-development aircraft,” he said, adding that despite the plan to develop some characteristics, the ANKA system is already a successful unmanned aircraft as it is now.

In his remarks, he also mentioned that Turkish defense industrialists have been working on another rifle, the Milli Piyade Tüfeği, which they expect to reveal the details of to the public as soon as the qualification tests are completed successfully.The rifle will be particular to Turkey, the undersecretary added.

Turkey has initiated negotiations for selling ANKA unmanned aerial vehicle systems as well as CIRIT rocket systems, Atal helicopters and Altay tanks, Bayar said.

Accelerating its attempts to boost its arms exports to Gulf countries, Turkish missile manufacturer Roketsan agreed to export its own laser-guided rocket system, known as the CIRIT, to the army of the United Arab Emirates for a total of $196.2 million.Read the full story here.

UAE gov appoints former Pakistan ISI Chief Pasha as adviser.

UAE gov appoints former Pakistan ISI Chief Pasha as adviser.(TNT).
LAHORE: Lt Gen (r) Ahmed Shuja Pasha, former Director of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and a veteran military strategist, has officially been appointed as advisor to the UAE government.
According to Pakistani news agency Online, the former spy chief has been taken onboard for advisory on health affairs and specially on intelligence and security matters, sources added.
Pasha was Pakistan's spy chief from October 2008 till March 2012, having served as Director General Military Operations before that. His successor is Lt Gen Zahir Ul Islam Khan.Read the full story here.

Related: "And so it Begins" - 'Saudi Arabia has Allegedly Arranged to Make Available Two Pakistani Nuclear Bombs or Guided Missile Warheads'

UAE wins seat on U.N. Human Rights Council, garners highest Asia vote.

UAE wins seat on U.N. Human Rights Council, garners highest Asia vote.(AA).The United Arab Emirates succeeded on Monday in its bid for election to the 47-nation U.N. Human Rights Council for a three-year term starting from early 2013. The Gulf state was elected in a secret ballot conducted by the U.N. General Assembly in which 21 candidate countries from 18 geographical groups competed for 18 vacant seats. 
The UAE got 184 votes, the highest vote turnout of the total votes garnered by the four winning Asian countries and the second highest votes of the total 18 winners. Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, and Sierra Leone were elected from Africa, and Japan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, South Korea joined the United Arab Emirates from the Asia Group. Estonia and Monte Negro were elected from Eastern Europe, while Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela secured seats on behalf of the Latin America and Caribbean Group.
The UAE foreign affairs minister, Anwar Mohammad Gargash, welcomed the UAE’s victory. “The win crowned a series of achievements made by the UAE in its human rights record over the recent years, particularly in areas of legislations to uphold and protect fundamental freedoms and legal rights of individuals, rights of women and children and advanced regulations on rights of foreign workforce,” the official said, according to AFP news agency. He added: ‘The UAE win of the seat for the next three years will lay on our shoulder additional onus and commitment to stay our course firmly in consistence with constitutional principles on which the UAE state is built and which place respect for human rights at the top of national priorities.’’ The 193-nation U.N. General Assembly also elected 17 other countries for terms beginning in January. The United States won the most votes of the regional group “Western Europe and Others,” followed by Germany and Ireland.Hmmmm......."Blasphemy laws on their way."Read the full story here.

Video - Proposed Law Requiring Modesty in Public Places Provokes Debate in the UAE.

Proposed Law Requiring Modesty in Public Places Provokes Debate in the UAE.

Following are excerpts from a TV report on the debate caused by the Proposed modesty law in the UAE, which aired on the Al-Jazeera network on June 28, 2012.


Reporter: Few people have forgotten the scandal of several months ago, when a British tourist and a British expat were caught having sex on a Dubai beach. Anyone who visits the UAE and strolls around its malls will undoubtedly catch a glimpse of tourists and foreign residents engaging in unacceptable and inappropriate behavior, which many locals believe runs counter to the moral values of UAE society.


Federal National Council member Hamad Al-Rahoomi: There is improper behavior, like passionate kissing on escalators, in plain view. The whole world just sitting there watching as two people exchange passionate kisses, or a guy walking in the mall, with his hand [in the pocket] of his girlfriend's pants... These things are unacceptable, just like their see-through or very short clothing, which reveals their underwear. These things are unacceptable. People who reject this have called for legislation that would ban this conduct, in order to preserve the unique character of the country.


Reporter: The issue is still being discussed in UAE society and on social media networks, following the recommendation of the UAE Federal National Council for legislation regarding modesty in public places, which would lead to the punishment of transgressors. Source: Memri.

UAE more than 175,000 'spinsters' Emirati gov wants to marry them off, sparking criticism.

UAE more than 175,000 'spinsters' Emirati gov wants to marry them off, sparking criticism.(BM).DUBAI: Manal enjoys here life. She is single, working her way up at a Dubai-based real estate firm and lives alone. But the United Arab Emirates is looking to marry off women over 30, like Manal. “It’s funny, really, but in many ways it is scary that the government is trying to get involved in our personal lives here,” she told Bikyamasr.com on Tuesday, following reports that Abu Dhabi was “concerned” over the rising number of spinsters in the country. “It isn’t like I don’t want to get married, but I have other priorities at the moment and haven’t really found a man worth my time,” she added. But then her criticism of the “fear” of spinsters became sharp. “The government has no place to tell us to get married or not. This is a personal decision and it angers me that they would even talk about our rights to choose our own life,” she continued. In the Arab world, women over 30-years-old who remain single are seen as pariahs, outside the cultural traditions that want women to marry no later than their early 20s. For women like Manal, work has become more important, and recent studies have shown that in the UAE in particular, more and more women are foregoing and early wedding in favor of focusing on their profession. According to new statistics released by the UAE government, some 60 percent of women are like Manal, pushing back marriage, which has become a cause for concern for government officials and has led to a debate in the country over marriage and women’s rights. The Federal National Council, the country’s appointed consultative body, has seen members in recent weeks looking to find a “solution” to what they believe could be a serious demographic problem. Emiratis are already a minority in the country, with the vast majority of residents being foreigners, who have arrived to work in the wealthy Gulf country. “This is very worrying,” FNC member Said al-Kitbi told AFP, adding that there are now more than 175,000 Emirati women who are over 30 and unmarried. Though he conceded that being a “spinster” is “not a bad thing in itself,” he argued that the demographic consequences of these women not having children are the real problem. 
Home to some 8 million people, less than one million are Emirati citizens, and the rise in the rate of locals marrying foreigners has led the government to question, even issue a report saying foreigners are “detrimental” to UAE society, is seeing the already tiny minority get smaller. Despite the fears from government officials over the rising number of “spinsters” in the country, they are still uncertain as to what is causing the decline in women wanting to get married. Manal said it is simple: “We want a life, we want to live and make something for ourselves before we get married, so it shouldn’t be a big deal.” The UAE planning ministry statistics revealed that in 1995, only 20 percent of women over 30 were unmarried. By 2008, it had risen to over 50 percent.
The latest survey by the UAE Marriage Fund, a government institution that provides financial assistance to those who want to marry but cannot afford to, showed that 87 percent of respondents blamed high dowries for low marriage rates among Emirati women. The government has imposed a $14,000 ceiling on dowries, but many families still demand much more—in some cases over $135,000. To address the rising costs of marriage, the government has ordered that each Emirati man who wants to marry be given $19,000 – on the condition that it is his first marriage.
However, the Marriage Fund will make an exception for men who married women who cannot conceive. In this case, the fund will give the man money to take a second wife. But Manal and others are not worried. They believe the effort to push for women to get married is misinformed. “We will marry, I am sure, but no government is going to push us to do it,” she added.Read the full story here.

Iranian Official Warns UAE "in case a war breaks out, the UAE will sustain serious damages".

                                                              Abu Musa island


Iranian Official Warns UAE "in case a war breaks out, the UAE will sustain serious damages".(Fars).Tehran - "If ill-wishers start a fire, serious damage to the United Arab Emirates will be the first outcome," an official from the Iranian Armed Forces told FNA on Saturday. The official, who requested to remain anonymous, made the remarks in reaction to the baseless comments by the UAE police chief on a possible regional war on the ownership of the three Iranian islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf. The official expressed regret that the UAE police officials can make decisions on the country's defensive and security policies, and said the UAE police chief shouldn't be allowed to make such utterances because the country's foreign policy does not lie within the domain of his authorities.
He also advised the UAE's diplomatic apparatus and government officials to prevent the utterance of such unfriendly and warmongering words. The UAE which says it does not accept international treaties and agreements about the ownership of Abu Musa Island, recently called its ambassador from Tehran after Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited the Island. Also, on April 13, the foreign ministers of the six-nation Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) held an emergency meeting in Doha and issued a statement against the Iranian President's visit to the Iranian island. In reply, Iran said that the visit was an internal issue only related to Iran's state sovereignty. Also, Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan called on the UAE to end its baseless claims to Iranian territories, and warned that if diplomacy fails, the military will be ready for action over Iran's three Persian Gulf islands. "If the plot is not resolved through diplomacy, military forces are ready to show the prowess of the establishment to the claimant," Pourdastan told reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony marking the National Army Day. The political leaders of the United Arab Emirates softened their tone about ownership of three Persian Gulf islands after Pourdastan's warnings. ''We will remain neighbors forever despite our differences," UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Mohammed Gargash told Dubai TV last Saturday. ''We are following a long-patience policy," he said, stressing that escalating the situation would not be in his country's interest. International documents clearly show that the three islands of the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa which were historically owned by Iran, temporarily fell to British control in 1903. The islands were returned to Iran based on an agreement in 1971 before the UAE was born. Iran has repeatedly declared that its ownership of the three islands is unquestionable. Under international law, no state can defy any agreement, which came into being before its establishment. Yet, the UAE continues to make territorial claims against the Islamic Republic despite historical evidence and international regulations.Hmmmm.......The drums of war beating louder it seems.Read the full story here.

UAE man: We try to make baby 6 times a day, is just 'lucky seven' short of his 100-children target.

UAE man: We try to make baby 6 times a day, is just 'lucky seven' short of his 100-children target.(E24/7).Sixty-five year old "most productive man on earth" is on a honeymoon with his new 19-year-old Baluchi Wife - as he goes for the 'century'. 
UAE’s Superdaad, Daad Murad, recently married Nadia, from Turbat in Pakistan. He revealed that he has sex with his teenage wife six times a day. The one-legged baby producing machine grabbed global media attention, after Emirates Today [earlier version of Emirates 24|7] featured him on our front pages. Speaking to the website, Daad said the countdown to reach his ambitious target of 100 children is well on the way. The last baby girl born in the family is just nine months old, and the 94th child is expected by November/December 2012. He hopes that by 2013, he would have 100 children, a world record and then he will stop marrying and fathering children. “The countdown has started with my 93rd baby.Fifteen of my children are already married and have their children. The total family members now number 140. The seven lucky ones will be born this year or next year,” he said. A retired truck driver turned soldier could not recollect the names of his recent children and promised to return with the correct details. “My last marriage was to a Baluchi girl, who is just 19-years old. She is very beautiful. "I enjoyed life with two other Baluchi wives. One is already retired and at 50 years, she is busy bringing up her four children. "Majida, another wife from Baluchistan, is currently enjoying the warmth of my love. At 25, she is also good, but I spend most of my time with Nadia now days because she is young, newly-married and there is no children to disturb us,” he said.
The six bedroom sessions with his 19 year-old wife stretch from early morning to midnight. He said the best time that he prefers to be with his wife is early morning. “I have a good time with Nadia, and I take her out to Al Dhaid, Muscat or Dibba and there is no disturbance because she has no children yet. If I take my other wives out, sometimes I need a bus to carry all the children and there will be lot of disturbances,” he said. "We spend a lot of time together because there is no disturbance from children. When I am with other wives, sometimes children start crying or making noise. Here I am getting 100 per cent attention on Nadia. She too enjoys it and I have reduced my visit to other two wives,” he added.
Daad takes a natural mix of honey and quail bird meat, dried in sunlight. "I don’t believe in taking any natural sex additives like Viagra and thanks to God, I have the stamina to satisfy all my wives. “I go to three of my current wives, who are legally allowed under Shariah and I don’t go to other wives, who are retired. Even if I feel like going back to one of them, I cannot do it because I strictly follow the Shariah rules.” His third wife is an Emarati woman, Arifa, aged 30 years with six children. Daad married her in 2003. “My youngster daughter, nine-month old Moza, is very cute and when I take her to the emigration department or hospital, everybody adores her. She is very cute and resembles me,” Daad said. “Delivery is an expensive affair for other people, but for my wives, it is a free gift from the UAE Government. I have the Tandook Zawag, Marriage Home Book, which gives free access to the facilities in government hospitals and offices. I am getting two new houses from the Abu Dhabi Government and Nadia will be accommodated in one of these homes. I also got support from the Abu Dhabhi Government to waive off a loan of Dh600,000 from various banks and now I am free to spend more time with the family,”Daad said, adding that his plans to get married in Jaipur did not materialise.Read the full story here.

'Gulf states plan to meet over UAE-Iran of Abu Mousa island row'.

'Gulf states plan to meet over UAE-Iran of Abu Mousa island row'.(Jpost).DUBAI - Gulf Arab states plan to meet next week to discuss a dispute between the United Arab Emirates and Iran which broke out after the Iranian president visited a Gulf island claimed by both countries, a source familiar with the matter said on Saturday. Wednesday's meeting of foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council will be held in the Saudi capital Riyadh, the source told Reuters. "This will be an extraordinary meeting which was called for by the UAE following Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit," the source added.
The UAE has recalled its ambassador to Tehran for consultations after what it called a "flagrant violation" of its sovereignty, the state news agency WAM reported. Iranian state media said Ahmadinejad visited Abu Musa island, some 60 km off the UAE, on Wednesday as part of a tour of Iran's Gulf coast. Both countries claim Abu Musa and two other small islands, located near key shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf. The islands have been held by Iran since 1971, shortly before the seven Gulf emirates gained full independence from Britain and formed the UAE. Ahmadinejad's visit "is a flagrant violation of the United Arab Emirates' sovereignty over its territory and a transgression of efforts to find a peaceful settlement to end Iranian occupation of the three UAE islands," UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan was quoted as saying by WAM on Wednesday. Abdullatif al-Zayani, head of the GCC - a regional bloc grouping the six Gulf Arab states - condemned the visit as "provocative" and a violation of UAE sovereignty.The UAE also cancelled a friendly match with Iran's national soccer team, due to be held on Tuesday in the Gulf Arab state. Iran rejected the protests and said Ahmadinejad's visit was an "internal Iranian matter". Tehran said it was determined to improve bilateral ties and was ready for a dialogue with the UAE to resolve "possible misunderstandings." The UAE has urged Tehran to agree to take the dispute to the International Court of Justice in The Hague or to hold direct negotiations. Iran says its sovereignty over the islands is not negotiable but has called for talks with the UAE to clear up "misunderstandings."Read the full story here.

United Arabic Emirates Sheikh Abdullah condemns Iran President's visit to UAE island 'in strongest possible terms'.

United Arabic Emirates Sheikh Abdullah condemns Iran President's visit to UAE island 'in strongest possible terms'.(GN).Abu Dhabi Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan UAE Foreign Minister Wednesday condemned in the strongest possible terms a visit made by Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the UAE island of Abu Mousa. Abu Mousa has been occupied by Iran since 1971. Shaikh Abdullah blasted the visit as a ''flagrant violation'' of the UAE's sovereignty over its territories and a ''setback'' to all efforts and attempts by the UAE to find a peaceful settlement to Iran's occupation of the three UAE islands: Greater and Lesser Tunbs, and Abu Mousa, either through direct negotiations or resort to the International Court of Justice ''This visit will not change the legal status of these islands which are part and parcel of the UAE national soil, '' Shaikh Abdullah emphasised. He asserted that the visit and the provocative rhetoric of the Iranian president exposed Iran's false allegations regarding its keenness to establish good neighbourly relations and friendship with the UAE and countries of the region. The UAE foreign minister denounced the timing of the visit, saying it came at a time when the two countries agreed to exert more joint efforts to reach a solution to the issue. It was also a time the UAE had committed to what both countries had agreed out of desire to create a conducive environment for reaching a solution that enhances stability in the region. The visit, he said, was a gross breach of this agreement. Shaikh Abdullah called on Iran to take measures and stances that strengthened confidence between countries and peoples of the region and to refrain from such provocative measures which muddied relations between the two countries and depressed efforts designed to find a fair solution to the issue of the three occupied islands.Read the full story here.More here.