UAE official ‘not accurately quoted’

UAE official ‘not accurately quoted’

Statements attributed to ambassador in the US are ‘not precise.’

July 8, 2010 9:23 by Samuel Potter

Comments in which the UAE’s Ambassador in Washington appeared to advocate the use of force by the US against Iran were not accurate, reports the National.

The UAE Assistant Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Tareq al Haidan said that the statements attributed by the Washington Times to the UAE Ambassador to the United States, Youssef al Otaiba, “are not precise.”

“These statements came as part of general discussions held on the sidelines of an unofficial gathering and were taken out of their context in which Mr. Otaiba was speaking,” Al Haidanl said. “Iran is a neighboring country and we maintain historic relations with it. The UAE respects and believes in the sovereignty of other states and in the principle of non-interference, of all forms, in their internal affairs. Already, the UAE declared, more than one time and in official statements issued by the Foreign Ministry, its position on the Iranian nuclear issue.

“The UAE totally rejects the use of force as a solution to the Iranian nuclear issue and rather calls for a solution through political means that are based on the international legitimacy, transparency as well as the need for working, through the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA], on the right of all states to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

“The UAE, at the same time, believes in the need of keeping the Gulf region free of nuclear weapons.”