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UAE TAKES ISLANDS ISSUE TO IPU
The UAE has asked the International Parliamentary Union, IPU, to include the islands¹ issue on its agenda for the 103rd conference to be held from April 30 to June 6 in Amman. The Parliamentary Division of the Federal National Council, FNC, has asked the IPU to add a new clause in their 103rd conference agenda, to discuss the issue of the UAE islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa occupied by Iran. The UAE-proposed topic for the agenda is called ³ The role of parliamentarians in achieving international peace and security, especially in the Gulf region, and solving the islands¹ dispute peacefully in accordance with international law². The topic was sent to the IPU by the FNC, appealing tot he Union to discuss the issue at the Amman meeting, in an effort to find an early and peaceful solution. The appeal states: ³The inclusion of the clause in the agenda reiterates the UAE commitment (since Iran occupied these islands by force) of finding a peaceful solution to the issue.² The statement said this commitment helps the two sides to resort to real diplomacy by raising the issue at international conferences. The FNC also called on Tehran to respond to the UAE commitment and settle the dispute permanently in the interests of the two countries and their people. The UAE appeal also denounces Iranian efforts to portray a different picture of the issue and the reluctance to respond to UAE calls for direct talks. The appeal further calls on IPU participants to support and stand by the UAE¹s claim to the islands especially when the UAE has proof of its ownership of the islands. It stated that since joining the IPU and Arab Parliamentary Union, APU, the FNC has been urging Iran to respond to UAE calls and solve the dispute according to UN resolutions and through the International Court of Justice. (The Gulf News)
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General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister, has ordered the construction of student hostel for needy students at Al Azhar University in Cairo at the expense of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed also ordered that the University be equipped with the latest computers at Sheikh Maktoum's expense as well. Sheikh Mohammed has given his instruction to the concerned authorities at the University to implement the order as soon as possible. (The Emirates News Agency, WAM)
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FATIMA AWARD WILL GO TO CHARITY WORKERS
The Sheikha Fatima Award for Devotion to Humanity for the year 1999-2000 will be given to volunteers engaged in humanitarian work for various charity organisations, according to the organising committee of the award. The award will be presented at a function later this month. Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the President¹s wife and Chairperson of the UAE Women¹s Federation, said in a message to volunteers, whom she described as a model of devotion to humanity, that they had been chosen for the award because of our appreciation of your efforts in supporting charity and humanitarian work.² She said the President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan¹s support for humanitarian activities in the country and abroad, gave a strong motive to the UAE people to support the charity. (The Khaleej Times)
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Director General of Dubai Municipality Qassim Sultan has issued an order on the programmes and plans for the electronic government project at the municipality in line with the e-government plan of Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Minister of Defence General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The order asks heads of organisational unites at the municipality to propose and submit executive programmes and plans necessary to switch to work systems to the electronic system and to connect their units electronically with the other units at the municipality. The programmes and plans are to be submitted within 15 days, and should be ready for implementation in 15 months. (The Gulf Today)
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COMMUNITY POLICING SET TO TAKE OFF
The Dubai Police have issued the decision for forming Neighbourhood Councils and will soon start receiving applications from members of the public to serve on the councils, said Brig. Sarafuddin Mohammed Hussain, Assistant Chief of Dubai Police for Criminal Investigation Affairs. He said that the member would not be a detective and there would be no financial reward for becoming a member. The member can be a national, an Arab expatriate or a foreigner capable of communicating in Arabic. The member can be male of female of no less than 30 years of age. Academic qualifications will not be considered, but he or she should be able to read and write in Arabic. The councils which will be centred on the force¹s local police stations will discuss policing issues, including crimes against individuals and property, drugs, traffic, social problems and the effectiveness of police patrols and the ambulance service. The superintendents of the police stations, who will head the councils would choose members of the public for each of the eight police stations. (The Gulf News)
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DUBAI PROMOTION HELD IN JOHANNESBURG
A major business breakfast promotion was held in Johannesburg recently by Dubai¹s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, DTCM. The presentation was held to promote Dubai to South Africa companies and tour operators. Dubai hotels received more than 33,000 South African guests in 1999, an increase of 89 per cent over the previous year, and 31 South African tour operators are offering travel packages to Dubai. (The Gulf News)
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UNION PROPERTIES POSTS 15% HIGHER NET PROFIT
Dubai-based Union Properties which reported on Monday that its net profit for 1999 has shot up by 15 per cent at Dh272 million announced a Dh650-million residential project, "Green Community", in partnership with Dubai Investments. Both Dubai Investments and Union Properties are equal partners in the project. The project is coming up at land leased from Dubai Investments Park. "The project is designed in a way to be self-contained with large open green spaces, a lake and central cable connections," said ANSI Al Jallaf, Chairman of the Union properties in a press conference after the company's annual general meeting (AGM). The AGM also approved distribution of cash dividend of 6 per cent to the shareholders which is equivalent to 57 per cent of the profit of 1999. During the last year the shareholders' fund in the capital also grew to Dh4647 million. Green Community residences will have a 30-year lease and will come up on 67 hectares. The lease agreement may be extended at a later date. Another project, Skywalk Towers on the Sheikh Bayed Road near the Emirates Towers was also on. The project costing Dhs150 million is a 50-storey residential tower. ( The Gulf Today)
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SHARJAH INAUGURATES ONE-WINDOW REPAIR SERVICE
A new multi-purpose workshop constructed at Saif Zone was inaugurated last Sunday by Sheikh Tariq bin Faisal Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Free Zones Authority. "This one-window operation is really aimed at helping investors get all their servicing and repair requirements met at a central location within the zone itself, enabling them to save time and money," he said. The facility, spread over 5,583 square metres, doubles as the main storage and workshop complex in the zone, and houses sections for vehicular repair and maintenance, electrical and mechanical works, air-conditioner servicing, carpentry, plumbing and tailoring. All the facilities were already available earlier at the zone, but had been scattered. ( The Gulf News)
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FRANCHISEE TAXI SERVICE LAUNCHED
Dubai Transport Corporation's, DTC, efforts to induct franchisee taxi service providers in the emirate have begun to take shape with first company which have commenced operations yesterday. Sulaiman Hamed Mazroui, Chairman of DTC, on Monday launched 24 taxis of Cars Taxi Service, which will operate a total of 750 cars as part of the franchise. All the cars will be on the roads by the second week of September. The white cars with red and navy blue stripes will soon become a familiar sight on the Dubai roads. The drivers are dressed in light blue shirts and navy blue pants and sport maroon ties. "We have special training for the drivers The company has five trainers who impart lessons not only on driving but general etiquette and locations in Dubai. Once trained, the drivers will have to get a certification from the DTC. The drivers will be paid on a commission basis "The drivers will get paid 30 per cent of their day's earnings. The minimum target given to each driver per day is Dhs300. Drivers will be handed their respective cars and are fully responsible for the service. Though the service will be provided around the clock, 20 percent of the total fleet will remain on the road from 12 midnight to five in the morning. (The Gulf Today)
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FEA BEGINS ABU DHABI CLEAN-UP
The Federal Environment Agency, FEA, began a clean-up campaign of the Abu Dhabi Corniche on the occasion of the Regional Environment Day and World¹s Earth Day which was celebrated on Monday. The clean-up campaign began from Abu Dhabi Sheraton up to the oil exhibition fountain of ADNOC. Students from various schools participated in the clean-up drive. The FEA said the involvement of the school children was intended to increase their awareness about the environment. (The Gulf Today)
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UAE BACKING OF ENDURANCE RIDES PRAISED
The UAE¹s promotion of endurance riding has been recognised by the Federation Equestre Internationale, FEI, a tits Annual General Assembly 2000 earlier this month. The FEI was also appraised of the UAE¹s sponsorship of the 2000 World Endurance Championship in France and also the backing of rides in 14 countries this year alone. The UAE delegation received much from the majority of the FEI officials for promoting and sponsoring endurance rides throughout the world and in particular the assistance given to developing countries. (The Khaleej Times)
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UAE¹S AL WAHDA DEAL WITH BOLOGNA
UAE¹s Al Wahda is set to sign a co-operation pact with the famous Italian football club Bologna. The agreement will be signed during a friendly football tournament to be held in Abu Dhabi in December where Al Wahda, Bologna and a famous Spanish club will take part. The agreement will cover co-operation field of juniors training camps as well as friendly matches at the senior teams level. Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Al Wahda Club confirmed that Al Wahda will make out all efforts to boost the sport and will seek in this regard the assistance and co-operation with the different clubs around the world in order to provide the young generations more experience and knowledge. (The Khaleej Times)