FOREIGN RELATIONS
The
UAE joined the United Nations and the Arab League and has established
diplomatic relations with more than 60 countries, including
the U.S., Japan, Russia, the People's Republic of China, and
most western European countries. It has played a moderate role
in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the Organization
of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, the United Nations, and
the GCC.
Substantial
development assistance has increased the UAE's stature among recipient
states. Most of this foreign aid (in excess of $15 billion) has
been to Arab and Muslim countries.
Following
Iraq's 1990 invasion and attempted annexation of Kuwait, the UAE
has sought to rely on the GCC, the United States, and other Western
allies for its security. The UAE believes that the Arab League
needs to be restructured to become a viable institution.
The
UAE is a member of the following international organizations:
UN and several of its specialized agencies (ICAO, ILO, UPU, WHO,
WIPO); World Bank, IMF, Arab League, Organization of the Islamic
Conference, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Organization
of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, and the Non-Aligned Movement.
DEFENSE
The Trucial Oman Scouts, long the symbol of public order on the coast and commanded by British officers, were turned over to the U.A.E. as its defense forces in 1971. The U.A.E. armed forces, consisting of 48,800 troops, are headquartered in Abu Dhabi and are primarily responsible for the defense of the seven emirates.
Although small in number, the U.A.E. armed forces are equipped with some of the most modern weapon systems, purchased from a variety of outside countries. The military has been reducing the number of foreign nationals in its ranks, and its officer corps is composed almost entirely of U.A.E. nationals. The U.A.E. air force has about 4,000 personnel. The Air Force has advanced U.S. F-16 BLOCK 60 multi-role fighter aircraft. Other equipment includes French Mirage 2000-9 fighters, British Hawk trainer aircraft, 36 transport aircraft and U.S. Apache and French Puma helicopters. The Air Defense Force is linked into a joint air defense system with the other six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations aimed at protecting the airspace of the allied states. The U.A.E. Navy is small--about 2,500 personnel--and maintains 12 well-equipped coastal patrol boats and 8 missile boats. Although primarily concerned with coastal defense, the Navy is constructing a six-unit class of blue water corvettes in conjunction with French shipbuilder CMN. The U.A.E.'s Land Forces are equipped with several hundred French LeClerc tanks and a similar number of Russian BMP-3 armored fighting vehicles. The U.A.E. Special Operations Command (SOC) is a small but effective force centered on the counter-terrorism mission within the country. SOC is well-financed, trained, and equipped and is capable of executing its mission with a level of expertise equal to, or above, the rest of the GCC.
The U.A.E. contributes to the continued security and stability of the Gulf and the Straits of Hormuz. It is a leading partner in the campaign against global terrorism, providing assistance in the military, diplomatic, and financial arenas since September 11, 2001
U.S.–UAE
RELATIONS
The United States has enjoyed friendly relations with the UAE
since 1971. Private commercial ties, especially in petroleum,
have developed into friendly government-to-government ties which
include security assistance. The breadth, depth, and quality of
U.S.-UAE relations increased dramatically as a result of the U.S.-led
coalition's campaign to end the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait. In
2002, the U.S. and the UAE launched a strategic partnership dialogue
covering virtually every aspect of the relationship. The UAE has
been a key partner in the war on terror after September 11, 2001.
The United States was the third country to establish formal diplomatic
relations with the UAE and has had an ambassador resident in the
UAE since 1974.
Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador--Michele J. Sison
Deputy Chief of Mission--Martin Quinn
Political Officer--Al Magleby
Economic Officer--Oliver John
Consular Officer--Robert Dolce
Public Affairs Officer--Steven Pike
Management Officer--Stewart Devine
Commercial Officer--Christian Reed
U.S. Embassy mailing address--PO Box 4009, Abu Dhabi; tel: (971) (2) 414-2200, PAO (971)(2) 414-2410; fax: (971)(2) 414-2603; Commercial Office: (971)(2) 414-2304; fax: (971)(2) 414-2228; Consul General in Dubai--Paul Sutphin; PO Box 9343; tel: (971) (4) 311-6000; fax: (971)(4) 311-6166, Commercial Office: (971)(4) 311-6149).
