Bill Clinton and the UAE: He was there 4 months after 9/11 attacks
By J. James Estrada (02/24/06)
If the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a terrorist supporting nation, why then did Bill Clinton choose to go there to make a speech denouncing America’s action in Iraq? He did this in November of last year. In his speech, Clinton famously said the Iraq war was a “big mistake.”
Furthermore, opponents to the disputed ports deal have said that the UAE is one of three nations that recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan. Pakistan is also a country that recognized the Taliban. Hasn’t Pakistan proven itself to be a crucial ally on the war on terror?
Bill Clinton’s visit to the UAE in November wasn’t his first visit there since 9/11. He was there in January of 2002. That’s right. Clinton was in Dubai four months after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The occasion was a “charity gala.”
The news report reads in the Jordan Times:
Her Majesty Queen Rania and former US President Bill Clinton will address a gala dinner in Dubai on Thursday hosted by a charity organization that aims at harnessing technology to help underprivileged children…
The report goes on to describe the emirate city this way:
Dubai, a Gulf trading hub, has launched a multibillion-dollar campaign to also become the Middle East's tourism, leisure and e-capital.
And:
In 2003, the emirate is to host the annual board meetings of the IMF and World Bank.
Finally, it concludes with this:
Clinton will also be addressing a three-day Saudi economic forum focusing on the implications of the Sept. 11 attacks that opens in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Saturday, organizers said.
Bill Clinton’s UAE is a far different place than what’s being portrayed in press accounts during this current controversy. Perhaps he should shed some light on this matter.
Copyright 2006 J. James Estrada
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