ABU DHABI, 14 January 2008 — The United Arab Emirates has shown the world a model Muslim state that is tolerant toward its people and other faiths, said US President George W. Bush in his speech at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Upon his arrival, Bush was greeted in light drizzle by President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahayan and UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum at the airport. He is expected to visit Dubai later today.

The UAE is the third stop on Bush’s tour of US-allied Arab states that will also take him to Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Bush is the first sitting US president to visit the UAE. The tour has already taken him to Israel, the Palestinian territories, Kuwait and Bahrain.

During his speech, Bush praised the UAE for its economic and social progress and urged other Middle Eastern nations to take up democracy.

He told delegates at the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) that more open societies would foster the Middle East’s immense “human capital.”

“You have encouraged your women to contribute to the development of your nation and they have occupied some of the highest ministerial posts,” Bush said.

“Reconciliation with your neighbors is the key to long-term peace in the region,” said the US president, who called for tolerance and coexistence among Sunnis and Shiites. “We will encourage reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians as well as Israelis and Arabs.”

The US president was vociferous in his criticism of neighboring Iran. “Iran’s actions threaten the security of nations everywhere. So the United States is strengthening our longstanding security commitments with our friends in the Gulf and rallying friends around the world to confront this danger before it is too late,” he said in his speech.

“Iran is today the world’s leading state sponsor of terror. It sends hundreds of millions of dollars to extremists around the world while its own people face repression and economic hardship at home,” he added.

Bush’s visit to the region comes amid US-Iranian tensions over a reported incident in the Gulf a week earlier. Washington claims that its warships were threatened by Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for international oil shipments. Tehran dismissed the charges saying it was a routine contact and accused the United States of exaggerating it for propaganda purposes.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Khalifa and Bush held talks at Al-Mushref Palace, on ways of boosting bilateral relations in various domains. Latest developments in the region also figured high during talks between the two leaders.

Sheikh Khalifa welcomed Bush, hailing “the growing relations between the two friendly countries in all fields, particularly in political, economic, military and cultural spheres.” He reiterated the UAE’s keenness to bolster its distinguished economic partnership with the US.

Talks also touched on latest developments regarding the Middle East peace process in light of Bush’s tour of the region and his talks with Palestinian, Israeli and Arab leaders.

The two heads of state also discussed a wide-range of issues pertinent to maintaining security and stability in the Arabian Gulf region, the situation in Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan and other topics relating to fighting terrorism.

“The UAE is a partner in the anti-terror campaign and will exert whatever possible to achieve stability and development in the region and world as well,” Sheikh Khalifa said, highlighting the role of the US in maintaining security in the Arabian Gulf region and activating the Middle East peace as per Bush’s vision of setting up a viable Palestinian state based on the road map and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Bush acknowledged the regional and international position the UAE has gained, and the economic boom it has achieved, which he said was an example to be emulated. The US president also highlighted the UAE’s role in maintaining regional and international security and peace.

He reiterated the significance of UAE-US relations in all fields, particularly in economic, political and military fields, adding, “The US administration is looking forward to further boost and expand joint cooperation and coordination.”

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