Back
to main index @
KHALIFA DECORATES CADET GRADUATES
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, presented flight wings and special prizes to 71 cadet graduates from 20th and 21st batches of Khalifa bin Zayed Air Force College during a colourful and spectacular ceremony yesterday. Sheikh Khalifa inspected the graduation parade accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Ali bin Khadim Al Mansouri, the Air Force College Commander and reviewed the cadet's demonstration of the slow, normal and 14 steps march. Flight wings and special gifts were presented to the cadets from both 20th and 21st batch who showed outstanding performance in overall grades, in fighter, helicopter flying, oriental and military subjects firing, Islamic education, efficient leadership and good conduct and physical fitness. Khalifa bin Zayed Air College has so far produced 558 pilot cadets since its inception 17 years back. "We are very proud that we have produced a large number of graduates with the best in military training which enable them to operate the most advanced aircraft and defence equipment," Lt. Col. Al Mansouri said. "Today we present the nation with the largest batch of graduates in the college history which is proof to our defence capabilities and our ability to prepare the younger generation of the country to protect our sovereignty and defend our motherland," he pointed out. (The 'Emirates News' )
@
KOREAN EXPORTS TO UAE GROW 11.4PC IN NINE MONTHS
Driven by a strong performances by automobile, industrial electronics and chemical sectors, South Korean exports to the UAE grew 11.4 per cent in the first nine months to $1.14 billion compared to the same 1997 period. This overall export growth was achieved despite a significant drop in exports of textiles and consumer electronics and precision machinery, some of the traditionally strong exports categories, figures released by the Dubai based Korea Trade Centre show. Automobiles exports grew 16 per cent to $58.8 million, and industrial electronics rose by 15.5 per cent to $71.9 million in the first three quarters. Remarkable growth was also registered by minerals, up 130 per cent to $120.5 million, chemicals, up 65.4 per cent to $23.6 million, and steel, up 105.7 per cent to $54 million. This trend signifies Korean companies's shift towards exports of value added goods. Textiles and consumer electronics, accounting for bulk of the exports, declined by four and 8.3 per cent to $456.8 million and $117 million respectively. The downturn reflected a slump in Dubai's re-exports trade. According to Young Chul Kim, director general of Korea Trade Centre, total bilateral trade over the nine months reached $2.779 billion with a trade balance of $498 million in favour of the UAE. Imports showed a sharp decline by 26.9 per cent to $1.6 billion, largely due to lower oil prices. Last year, the two-way trade was at $4.5 billion, which was a growth of 23 per cent over 1996. Apart from oil, imports comprised petrochemicals and aluminium. Kim said some 80 Korean companies with a diverse range of merchandise would take part in the International Autumn Trade Fair which opened yesterday. He said his country's pavilion, the third largest and occupying some 1,023 square metres, is being organised by Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency. (The 'Khaleej Times')
@
GLOBALISATION A THREAT TO ARAB CULTURE
Arab women asked to engage in Politics and Serious issues Arab women have been asked to educate themselves and show interest in the serious issues of the changing world around them, rather than wasting their time in marginal matters, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, said yesterday at the opening of the conference on 'Arab Women and Culture in the 21st Century'. Sheikha Jawaher, who is also the chairperson of the Sharjah Women's Club (SWC), the organisers of the six-day conference, held Arab women responsible for educating the new generation and inculcating Islamic and Arab values among children. "Women are concerned more than other sectors of the society with the promotion of acceptable social behaviour," Sheikha Jawaher said. She stressed that Arab culture was being threatened by powerful nations which promoted their culture under the cover of globalisation to "serve their own political, military and economic interests." The wife of the Sharjah Ruler said that Arab culture was a symbol of belonging to the same religious, geographic and historic roots of the Arab identity. "Needless to say that the globalisation concept would destroy our culture, if not faced by a specific educational, cultural and media strategy," Sheikha Jawaher said. The conference which is taking place at the SWC will be an opportunity for women to get to know themselves from a cultural perspective, to examine their image in the media and to measure their political ambitions, Sheikha Jawaher said, in listing the objective of the conference. She added that the conference would deal with other subjects related to women's role in the fields of art, employment and religion. The conference will discuss 12 papers presented by delegates from the UAE, Lebanon, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Kuwait, Morocco, Syria, Iraq and Egypt. The gathering will conclude on November 12 with a ceremony during which the play Woman and the Power will be staged. The winners of the clubs literary prize will also be honoured at the same function. (The 'Khaleej Times')
@
EXCAVATION RESUMES AT MILEIHA SITE
A local archaeological expedition began last week excavations at Mileiha archaeological site of Sharjah Emirate with the aim of discovering new evidence of the 5000-year-old human settlement in the area. The team headed by Dr Sabah Aboud Jassim, an archaeological expert with the Sharjah Department of Culture and information, carried out excavations at the same site last year. "We discovered a huge tomb comprising many human skeletons as well as significant artifacts," Dr. Jassim said. The findings proved that the area witnessed the Umm Al Nar civilization. "It was the first time ever that we have found evidence of this civilization within Sharjah lands," the archaeological expert observed. He explained that the discovery of this evidence in Mileiha area had special significance "since the oldest evidence found at this site in the past 20 years was dated back to the third century BC, whereas the new findings date back to the mid of the third millennium BC." With these discoveries, Dr. Jassim added, it is clear that the history of the area is 2000 years more ancient than what is known so far. On this season's excavation plans to be carried out by the local team, Dr. Jassim said that apart from excavating at Mileiha site, the team would conduct archaeological surveys for parts of the East Coast starting from Khotm Malaha up to Dibba. Furthermore, the team would resume digging at Al Buhais Mountain site for the fourth consecutive year. According to Dr. Jassim, the excavations in the past four years revealed the presence of more than 70 archaeological sites and tombs, mostly dating back to the second and the first millennium BC. (The 'Emirates News' )
Organisers of this month's first Dubai Marathon are lobbying the world ruling body for registration which will vault the event into international. The Dubai Marathon, held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, will be held on November 27. A 10km road run will also be held along with a children's race. "We have received over 500 confirmed entries for the races in addition to scores of inquiries from around the world," said Ronnie Ravindran, race director, who has visited marathon sites and shows during the past year. "We are seeking registration with the world body, the Association of International Marathons and Road Races (AIMS), which will help us to bring international runners," he said. Paul Hodgson, an AIMS-sanctioned course measurement official with 12 years experience will check out the full marathon course, which is a first step to get world recognition, according to Ravindran. Giving added weight to organisers' plans is a message from Hugh Jones, secretary of AIMS - which sanctions many prestigious marathons around the world - "We hope to soon welcome Dubai as a AIMS member." The marathon will be flagged off at 6.45am and the 10km race is due to start at 7.15am. The under 14 years race will start at 7.30am. "The Dubai Marathon, supported in the inaugural year by Aftron, a division of the Al Futtaim Trading Group Companies, is pleased with the response that the event has evoked," said Niall McLoughlin of Al Futtaim. Other sponsors include Dubai FM92 and Dubai TV. Those who wish to participate may call 04-273255 or fax 04-273286 for details. The entry fee is Dhs.25. (The 'Khaleej Times')
@
SAUDI ARABIA SCRAPE PAST FIGHTING UAE
A first-half goal by Ali Al Fihaid enabled Saudi Arabia to overcome spirited UAE 1-0 in their critical match played yesterday in the fourth round of the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Championship. In the 15th minute, Ibrahim Matir sent a powerful surface shot which UAE keeper Muhsin Musabah managed to drive away. Unfortunately, Obaid Al Dousari was following closely. He raised an accurate to cross Al Fihaidi, to head home the country's winning goal. Unfazed by the early goal, the UAE attacked aggressively for the equaliser. Immediately after conceding the goal, the UAE squandered a golden chance when defender Hassan Suhail failed to convert a cross that passed Saudi custodian Mohammed Al Deayea. In the 11th minute, Ali Hassan's header missed the left bar by few inches. In the 25th minute, unmarked Mohammed Ali received a beautiful pass from Hassan Saeed but before he could shoot Saudi defender Ahmed Al Doukhi quickly intercepted the ball, denying UAE a unique opportunity. Most of the first half saw extensive work by the young and talented Kadhim Ali in penetrating the somehow confused Saudi defence. Kadhim at the left flank and Hassan Saeed at the right managed to feed several balls to their strikers who failed to convert them any into a goal. The second half saw an Emirati dominance from the start to finish. UAE coach infused the team's striking power with experienced Ali Thani and Fahd Al Noweis. The Saudis, who looked satisfied with their solitary goal, fought back and launched a few counterattacks. A host of volleys by Hassan Saeed and Khadim lacked the finishing touch by the strikers. In the injury time, UAE defender Abdul Rahman Ibrahim sent a lob to unmarked Fahd Al Noweis who headed to the goal but Deayea made an acrobatic move to save it by the tips of his fingers (The 'Emirates News' )
