    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 12, 1998]
    [Pages 742-743]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement on United States-United Arab Emirates Relations
    May 12, 1998

        At the invitation of President Clinton, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa
    bin Zayid Al Nahyan, Crown
    Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed
    Forces, is visiting Washington, where he met with the President in the
    Oval Office today. Crown Prince Shaikh Khalifa conveyed the greetings of
    H. H. President Shaikh Zayid bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the people of the UAE to President Clinton and
    the American people. The Crown Prince then met separately with Vice
    President Gore, who hosted a working lunch.
    He is due to meet later with key Cabinet members and Congressional
    leaders.
        The relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the United
    States of America is defined by strong bilateral ties. Today, this
    relationship has expanded greatly to include mutually productive
    cooperation in the fields of commerce, educational exchange, and
    security. The present close ties have become instrumental in
    safeguarding the security and stability of the Gulf region.
        Over the past decades, the two sides have forged substantial
    economic links as a result of numerous initiatives by government and
    private sectors on both sides. Thousands of Americans live and work in
    the United Arab Emirates; thousands of UAE nationals study in the United
    States, and thousands more visit here each year. The UAE has become the
    United States' second-largest market in the Gulf region. Growing numbers
    of American firms are doing business and are based in the UAE because of
    its excellent infrastructure and welcoming environment.
        While the regional environment has spawned a number of new threats
    in the last three decades, the strategic consultations between the UAE
    and the United States remain a key factor in securing the national
    interests of both countries. The signing of the 1994 Defense Cooperation
    Agreement is indicative of the strength of the relationship between the
    two sides.
        Both sides agreed to encourage trade, investment, economic, and
    cultural cooperation and in this context, agreed on the desirability of
    reaching mutual agreements to cover these topics.
        The two sides discussed recent developments in Iran. They shared the
    hope that the new Iranian leadership would change those policies that
    threaten the peace and stability of the region; at the same time, they
    agreed that the new Iranian Government has yet to prove it has abandoned
    its threatening policies. An important issue that remains unresolved is
    the continued occupation by Iran of three islands, Abu Musa and Greater
    and Lesser Tunb. The UAE and the United States continue to reiterate
    their call for the peaceful resolution of the issue either through
    bilateral talks or through the International Court of Justice.
        Both governments expressed great sympathy for the Iraqi people and
    call upon Iraq to comply fully with all relevant United Nations Security
    Council Resolutions. The two sides agreed that UN Security Council
    Resolutions must be enforced. They also made it clear that the Iraqi
    Government bears full responsibility for the misery of the Iraqi people.

    [[Page 743]]

        Both sides affirmed that there is an urgent need to achieve genuine
    progress in the Arab-Israeli peace process in order to reach a lasting,
    comprehensive and just peace in the Middle East. Such a comprehensive
    peace should be based upon UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338
    and the land-for-peace principle in addition to the fulfillment by both
    sides of their obligations under the Oslo Accords. The UAE side
    expressed its concern about the Israeli Government's policy toward the
    peace process and the rights of the Palestinian people. The two sides
    also agreed on the importance of achieving progress on the Syrian and
    Lebanese tracks.
        Today, Crown Prince Khalifa
    and Vice President Gore announced the UAE's
    acquisition of 80 F-16 Block 60 fighters from the United States as a
    significant step towards strengthening the UAE's defense capabilities.
    In essence, the deal will enable the UAE to achieve a credible and
    effective defense through the establishment of a conventional deterrent
    capability based on quality. This acquisition will allow the two
    countries not only to add a significant stabilizing element to the
    overall strategic balance in the region but also to further strengthen
    and fortify the already close security relations between the two
    countries.
        President Clinton conveyed his sincere greetings to the President of
    the UAE, His Highness Shaikh Zayid bin Sultan Al Nahyan, wishing him good health and long life.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.