Human Rights Watch: US, UK Should Criticize Dissident Arrests in UAE

Horhey · Aug 3, 2012

[video=youtube_share;7pfGRSDZs1M]http://youtu.be/7pfGRSDZs1M[/video]

Human Rights Watch: UAE: US, UK Should Criticize Dissident Arrests

United States and United Kingdom officials should call on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to release unconditionally scores of peaceful critics, Human Rights Watch and other human rights groups said today. The detainees are being held solely for expressing views critical of the UAE government or being associated with a peaceful opposition group. Both the US and the UK have extensive trade, investment, and military ties with the UAE.

After all their fine words over the past year about standing up for democracy and human rights in the Arab world, the US and the UK have completely lost their voices when it comes to the UAE. Its long past time for the American and British governments to speak out clearly, in public as well as in meetings with UAE officials, about this draconian response to the mildest calls for modest democratic reforms.
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US imperial system in the Middle East outlined in the internal documents

In a staff discussion, President Eisenhower observed that:

The trouble is that we have a campaign of hatred against us [in the Middle East], not by the governments but by the people.
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The reasons for this "campaign of hatred" were explained by the National Security Council:

In the eyes of the majority of Arabs the United States appears to be opposed to the realization of the goals of Arab nationalism. They believe that the United States is seeking to protect its interest in Near East oil by supporting the status quo and opposing political or economic progress.
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Furthermore, the NSC acknowledged that the perception is correct:

Our economic and cultural interests in the area have led not unnaturally to close US relations with elements in the Arab world whose primary interest lies in the maintenance of relations with the West and the status quo in their countries.
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The "conservative groupings" serving US interests:

forms a loose coalition of regimes that look to the US for aid because of their common interest in the existing system and opposition to the forces of revolution represented by the radicals.
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An NSC Memorandum identified "Arab nationalism" as "inimical to U.S. interests," declaring that:

[The United States must] endeavor to establish an effective working relationship with Arab nationalism while at the same time seeking constructively to influence and stabilize the movement and to contain its outward thrust, and recognizing that a policy of U.S. accommodation to radical pan-Arab nationalism as symbolized by Nasser would include many elements contrary to U.S. interests.
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The NSC warned of the dangers of Arab nationalism, observing that:

...The essentially neutralist character of radical pan-Arab nationalism may make it incompatible with maintenance of the special political, military and economic interests comprising the Western strategic position in the area. Pressures on Western oil companies for arrangements more favorable to producing and transit countries will mount.
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However:

At least as long as conservative governments remain in power in the producing countries, arrangements acceptable to Western interests can probably be worked out.
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As a last resort, the National Security Council advised that:

If we choose to combat radical Arab nationalism and to hold Persian Gulf oil by force if necessary, a logical corollary would be to support Israel as the only strong pro-West power left in the Near East.

The only way to guarantee continued access to Persian Gulf oil on acceptable terms is to insist on maintaining the present concessions and be prepared to defend our present position by force if necessary.
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Thus explains the basic US imperial designs for the Middle East- a system which is now "disintigrating in between our eyes."

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Human Rights Watch: US, UK Should Criticize Dissident Arrests in UAE

Horhey Well-Known Member

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Human Rights Watch: US, UK Should Criticize Dissident Arrests in UAE

Horhey Well-Known Member

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