tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22261571.post5589521500849191568..comments2024-03-20T01:06:12.181-04:00Comments on MEI Editor's Blog: France's New UAE BaseUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22261571.post-19777525251218185722009-06-06T00:24:33.766-04:002009-06-06T00:24:33.766-04:00I didn't respond earlier to your comment but t...I didn't respond earlier to your comment but thanks. And also thanks for your plug at your website, which I only must learned about.<br /><br />I haven't discussed the UAE torture issue -- there are frankly concerns about offending donors, but also it just isn't something I have much to add to what others are saying. Of course it's an issue.Michael Collins Dunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07398326467953722017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22261571.post-84795911474538020862009-05-29T09:10:31.122-04:002009-05-29T09:10:31.122-04:00There are two more important interlinked aspects t...There are two more important interlinked aspects to this story. Firstly, the recent Abu Dhabi torture case and secondly, the US-UAE nuclear deal. <br /><br />America had all but signed on the dotted line to supply Nuclear power to the UAE until the leak of the horrific torture tape of the half-brother of the ruler of the ruler of Abu Dhabi torturing an Afghan grain dealer with police complicity. Needless to say the subsequent uproar in America has put the deal in danger.<br /><br />However, the entrance of the French, with what might euphemistically be described as a ‘laissez-faire’ attitude to sanctions, embargos and (how can I put this gently...) human rights issues, has solved this problem for the Emirates. Were the US to pull out, the French would gleefully and immediately step up to the plate and sell the Emirates nuclear technology, thus extending their influence, augmenting their bank balance and satisfying their (apparently) ever-growing need for further international recognition and prominence. <br /><br />http://thegulfblog.com/2009/04/24/the-darkest-of-ironies-uae-us-torture/<br /><br />www.thegulfblog.comDavid B Robertshttp://www.thegulfblog.comnoreply@blogger.com