United Arab Emirates - Government
	In August 1990 Iraq´s occupation of Kuwait provoked economic and political instability throughout the region. The United Arab Emirates responded by supporting, with most Arab states, resistance to Iraqi aggression, and on 20 August the UAE ordered all nationals to join the armed forces for six weeks´ military training. At the same time it was announced that foreign armed forces opposing the Iraqi invasion would be provided with military facilities in the Emirates. In February 1991, after the outbreak of hostilities, four raids against Iraqi targets were undertaken by the United Arab Emirates air force. Conflict arose between the United Arab Emirates and Iran in 1992 concerning the sovereignty of Abu Musa, an island situated between the states in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf. The island had been administered since 1991 under a joint agreement between Iran and Sharjah, in accordance with which an Iranian garrison was stationed on the island. In April 1992 the Iranian garrison on Abu Musa was reported to have seized civilian installations on the island. There were further allegations that Iranian officials were attempting to force expatriate workers employed by the UAE to leave the island, preventing the entry of other expatriates, and increasing the number of Iranian nationals on the island. In September in response to a GCC statement expressing support for the United Arab Emirates in the dispute, the Iranian Government reiterated its claim to the three islands. Following Syrian mediation, delegations from the United Arab Emirates and Iran met in Abu Dhabi at the end of the month but negotiations collapsed on the following day. At a GCC summit meeting in Abu Dhabi in December, however, it was demanded that Iran reverse the ´virtual annexation´ of the islands. In May 1993 President Mubarak of Egypt visited Abu Dhabi for talks with Sheikh Zayed on subjects including the Middle East peace negotiations and the lack of progress made in establishing an Arab peace-keeping force as proposed in March 1991 in Damascus, Syria. In September 1993 the United Arab Emirates welcomed the conclusion of an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord, and undertook to provide financial assistance to the Palestinians. In September 1994 the UAE, along with the other GCC member states, agreed to a partial removal of the Arab economic boycott of Israel. The ruling family deposed Sheikh Shakhbut in August 1966, replacing him by his younger brother, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan. Under the rule of Sheikh Zayed, Abu Dhabi was transformed, with considerable income from the petroleum industry allocated for public works and the provision of welfare services. In 1966 petroleum was discovered in neighbouring Dubai (the second largest of the Trucial States), which also developed rapidly, as a result. In mid-January 1995 the UAE signed a defence agreement with France which provided for ´consultations´ in the event of aggression against or threats to the United Arab Emirates territory. A defence accord was signed with France in December, and in November 1996 a similar agreement was concluded with the United Kingdom. A military co-operation agreement was signed with Germany in March 1997. In October 1995 Sheikh Zayed appealed for the easing of UN sanctions against Iraq to relieve the suffering of the Iraqi people.