Where Do We Stand

Ras Al Khaimah must stand with the global community in opposition to Iran’s desire to acquire nuclear weapons.

 

On behalf of the United States Government, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has just announced an agreement with Russia, China and others to impose stronger sanctions on Iran.  Secretary Clinton's announcement comes on the heels of an Iranian announcement of its own plan to ship some of its nuclear fuel out of the country to Turkey.

 

Secretary Clinton's announcement makes it clear that the United States Government's diplomatic efforts to unify the world -- especially Russia and China -- against Iran is paying off.  President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and others have worked since day one of the Obama Administration to generate support for making the enforcement regime against Iran tougher and more effective. 

 

In Ras Al Khaimah, we know that the regime in Iran is focused on expanding its hegemony over the Arabian Gulf region and seeking to dominate other countries as both a military and economic regional power.  At the heart of Iran's strategy is the development of a nuclear weapons program.  This announcement will contribute to our regional security by, for the first time in a long time, bringing the world's global powers into alignment when it comes to opposition to Iran and its determination to become the possessor of nuclear weapons.

 

Here in the United Arab Emirates, the Federal Government has been a real leader in promoting our security along the Arabian Gulf and in maintaining our economic independence.  In Ras Al Khaimah, we need to do our part to support the leadership of the Federal Government.  Unfortunately, the current regime in Ras Al Khaimah is actively working to oppose the Federal Government, including allowing Iran to use Ras Al Khaimah as a gateway to move components that could be used to support a nuclear weapons program (as documented by the Canadian Intelligence according to press reports), move through the RAK Free Trade Zone and continues to develop a very close financial relationship between the two regimes.

 

The announcement of this new, tougher, stronger sanctions regime that brings in Russia and China is going to be a significant spotlight on Ras Al Khaimah, given that Iran will have no choice but to continue to work with the current regime to circumvent the sanctions regimes.  If the current regime, as I expect, continues to do Tehran's bidding, it is going to further isolate Ras Al Khaimah from the global community; put Ras Al Khaimah at odds with the United States Government; and undermine the strong and effective leadership of the Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates. 

 

For the current regime in Ras Al Khaimah, the issue is now clear for the world to see:  whose side are you on.

 

Given our historical opposition to Iran, the ongoing work to expose Iran's relationship with the current regime in Ras Al Khaimah, and my strong support for the Federal Government,  my position is very clear.  Ras Al Khaimah, for the good of its people, in the best interests of the Federal Government, and in support of global security, must stop serving as a gateway for Iran.

 

 

I have previously announced specific plans to close down the relationship between Ras Al Khaimah and Iran.  In my various visits to Washington, U.S. overnment officials have spent a considerable amount of time discussing their concerns about what is going on in Ras Al Khaimah and have been very supportive of the plan to close down the gateway that currently exists. 

 

The announcement on the new sanctions regime means that in the coming months, Ras Al Khaimah is going to become an even more significant country of interest to the global community.  We are going to either need to clearly side with the global community or Ras Al Khaimah will remain an Iranian stooge.  I know where I stand, and I know where the people of Ras Al Khaimah stand.  Unfortunately, the current regime in Ras Al Khaimah is standing with Iran, which is becoming a lonelier and lonelier place to stand.  

 

His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi

Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler

Ras Al Khaimah