UAE Kept Tight Lid on Disrupted Dubai Terror Plot
September 16, 2009 by national
Filed under World Report
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year quietly broke up a major terrorist ring affiliated with al Qaeda that had plotted to blow up targets in Dubai – a banking hub that has long seemed immune to attacks by the terrorist group.
The disruption in May of the previously undisclosed plot came at a sensitive time for the UAE, which months earlier concluded an agreement with the United States that would allow the U.S. to sell it nuclear reactor technology and nuclear fuel. Congress has until Oct. 17 to block the agreement, which has been viewed with concern by some nonproliferation groups.
Read Full Exclusive Article At Wash.Times
UAE Seizes North Korean Weapons Shipment to Iran
August 28, 2009 by national
Filed under World Report
The United Arab Emirates has seized a ship carrying North Korean-manufactured munitions, detonators, explosives and rocket-propelled grenades bound for Iran in violation of United Nations sanctions, diplomats said.
The UAE two weeks ago notified the UN Security Council of the seizure, according to the diplomats, who spoke on condition they aren’t named because the communication hasn’t been made public. They said the ship, owned by an Australian subsidiary of a French company and sailing under a Bahamian flag, was carrying 10 containers of arms disguised as oil equipment.
The council committee that monitors enforcement of UN sanctions against North Korea wrote letters to Iran and the government in Pyongyang asking for explanations of the violation, and one to the UAE expressing appreciation for the cooperation, the envoys said. No response has been received and the UAE has unloaded the cargo, they said.
The UAE and Iranian missions to the UN didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. The Financial Times reported the weapons seizure earlier today.
US Citizen Denies Terror Charges In UAE Court
June 14, 2009 by national
Filed under World Report
A US citizen of Lebanese origin has denied terrorism-related charges against him in the United Arab Emirates supreme court. Naji Hamden told the UAE federal judge Sunday that he was tortured in a UAE prison. He says he signed a confession under pressure because he wanted the “beatings to sto
