NEWS FROM THE UAE
Excerpts from UAE Dailies

Indian DJ detained at Dubai airport

DUBAI — JUN 06: A well-known Indian DJ (disc jockey) and remix artiste, Aqeel, was detained at Dubai International Airport on Sunday night for allegedly possessing suspected drug capsules. Customs security officers on duty, according to sources, found him in possession of two suspected drug capsules. They later handed him over to the local police authorities.

The Dubai Police, now investigating the case, have reportedly ordered forensic lab tests including a urine test. The source said, if traces of any contraband substances are detected in the lab tests, the disc jockey would be charged accordingly and produced before the Public Prosecution authorities.

The DJ’s wife, who had accompanied him to Dubai, confirmed to Khaleej Times that her husband had been detained briefly by Dubai Customs officials. However, she added, “He has a clean reputation. He was actually detained only briefly at the airport for carrying some CDs.” The popular DJ had arrived in Dubai on Sunday to play in a discotheque, but his detention prevented him from performing before his many local fans here.

Meanwhile, Indian Consulate sources in Dubai maintained last evening that they were neither aware of the incident, nor had any of the DJ’s family members contacted them for any assistance.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Collection centres set up for Indians

DUBAI —  JUN 06: The Indian and Pakistani consulates in Dubai yesterday outlined mechanisms to be adopted for handling the rush of amnesty seekers over the next three months.

In separate Press conferences held by the two missions in Dubai, an Indian Consulate official said the mission is setting up collection centres across the emirate to receive applications for ‘out passes’.

Senior officials of the consulate stated that these collection centres would start functioning from June 11. The consulate has also set up a phone line (050-4293269) which people can contact in case of any doubts.

India’s Acting Consul-General R.C. Nair stated that the consulate officials were discussing with various Indian associations and welfare groups, as well as airline companies to chalk out ways to assist  amnesty seekers.

“There are certain criteria which the people need to follow for the issuance of the ‘out passes’. The person should be having the passport or the xerox copy of the passport and visa. If at all they don’t have a passport, the passport details (passport number, date and place of issuance) would also do. If a person does not have any of these, he should have an Indian driving license with a photograph, the card issued by the Election Commission of India, ration card (with photograph), labour card, health card (with photograph) or a certificate issued by the revenue authority or the Superintendent of Police (SP) of the particular district (with photograph). We should know his identity in some way,” he said.

Nair added that discussions were also being held with the Government of India officials in connection with amnesty seekers’ travel plans. “Till now nothing has been discussed. The Indian government is in the process and is thinking about some special arrangements. We too have had a meeting with the airlines companies and they have promised to help and assist,” added Nair.

Consulate officials also stated that if the Indian government sanctioned some budget, the consulate would buy tickets for those who can’t afford.

“We don’t have the funds to pay. But then if the government provides us with grants, then we would be helping them. But again, we have to be sure that the person is in a serious financial need and cannot pay for his travelling expenses. The Indian Consulate Welfare Committee (ICWC) looks after these issues. People have to pay Dh20 for ‘out passes’,” said spokesperson B.S Mubarak.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani Consul-General Chowdhury Abdul Hameed asked all amnesty seekers to approach the consulate directly and beware of ‘agents.’

He said a fee of Dh30 has been fixed for an ‘out pass’. “This has been pasted on all notice boards within the consulate. No official is authorised to ask for any favours to do this job,” he said.

“We are in touch with the UAE authorities regarding the matter as there are different categories of illegal workers in the country,” explained the consul-general.

He also said the Pakistani consulate was fully prepared to meet the rush of amnesty seekers. “We are not expecting a great rush as after the announcement a day ago, we only had a handful of people visiting the consulate,” he pointed out.

He said special teams had been formulated to deal with these illegals. “The amnesty-seekers will be issued a number and will have to follow a systematic method to get the ‘out pass’ on the same day,” he explained, adding that the illegals only need to prove that they are Pakistani nationals.

CENTRES

Dubai

1.  Indian High School – 050-1505292

2.  Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre- 050-3402889

3.  Dubai Indian Islamic Centre- 050- 8808312

4.  Indian Relief Committee- 050-5849320

Sharjah

1.  Indian Association Sharjah -050- 7866591

2.  Indian Social and Cultural Club Kalba- 050-7108750

3.  Indian Social Club Khor Fakkan-  050-2327158

Ajman

1.  Indian Association Ajman- 050-4203464

Ras Al Khaimah

1.  Indian Association Ras Al Khaimah- 050-5402267

2.  Indian Relief Committee Ras Al Khaimah- 050-7404592

Umm Al Quwain

1.  Indian Association Umm Al Quwain- 050-2060409

Fujairah

1.  Indian Social Club Fujairah- 050-4709263

KHALEEJ TIMES

Cyclone Gonu: UAE sets up emergency task force

ABU DHABI, DUBAI & FUJAIRAH — JUN 06: Sounding an alert over cyclone Gonu which hovered over Oman yesterday, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, instructed Minister of Interior Lt-Gen. Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan to set up a task force for prompt emergency response to situations that could arise in the event of Gonu hitting the country’s shores.

The task force comprising top health and civil defence officials would closely monitor the cyclone’s movement and take anticipatory measures to meet crisis situations should they arise.

Shaikh Mohammed also instructed Shaikh Saif to make arrangements for field hospitals in coordination with the Health Ministry.He instructed the local authorities to prepare and dispatch necessary relief items to neighbouring Oman, which will be bearing the brunt of the cyclone. Lt.-Gen. Shaikh Saif was confident of the preparedness to face the situation arising out of Gonu.

According to a Wam report, under the directives of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Vice-President Shaikh Mohammed all preventive measures have been taken to avoid any difficult situations or mishaps.

According to Minister of Environment and Water Dr Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi, the tropical cyclone will not affect the UAE and there was no need for people to panic.

“While we urge the UAE Coast Guard personnel, seaport workers, the civil defence, fishermen and others to remain vigilant, there is no reason to panic as the UAE will not be affected,” Dr Al Kindi said.

Quoting reports from the UAE’s meteorological office, Dr Al Kindi says heavy clouds, driven by powerful winds, may cause rains on highlands in the eastern and northern parts of the UAE. “On the basis of the information provided by the central operations centre of the UAE Coast Guards, heavy rainfall and strong winds might prevail. Therefore, fishermen are advised to stay off the coast as a precautionary measure. But generally  speaking, there is no reason to panic,” he said.

Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police and Vice-President of the Disaster and Crisis Committee Brigadier Jamal Al Merri said the committee has drawn an emergency plan to deal with the natural phenomenon.

The Dubai Ambulance Centre (DAC) has dispatched 17 emergency vehicles to Hatta Road and eight vehicles to Fujairah Road.

Around 30 rescue workers are on standby for possible emergency operations, said Khalifa Bin Dari, head of the DAC.

Mahmoud Hamad from the Dubai Civil Defence said police patrols and rescue boats have been specifically stationed along the coast of Fujairah to monitor weather-related concerns and prevent the public from engaging in marine activities.

Sharjah Municipality, too, has dispatched 10 tankers to drain excess waters.

Minister of Health Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami said all hospitals in Fujairah and the Eastern Region were on high alert to deal with possible casualties.

Al Qutami told Khaleej Times that several meetings between the UAE Coast Guards and Civil Defence forces along the coast have taken place to put contingency plans in place. “All hospitals in the country are on standby and everything will be handled deftly in case of any emergency as all concerned medical staff is on call,” he added.

A spokesperson for the Dubai Meteorological Office said the storm will not directly affect most parts of the emirates, except for Fujairah, which is nearest to the Gulf of Oman. “We’re expecting Fujairah to experience strong winds and high tides, which can rise to as high as 10 feet by mid-morning today,” he said.

Local authorities have confirmed that the traffic leading to Fujairah had been diverted to alternative routes as Kalba Street remained closed. Sand bags were lined along Kalba to block excessive water inflow.

According to late evening reports, high tides swept through Kalba coasts, flooding the great garden at Al Faisail, the Heritage Museum at the old house of Shaikh Saeed Al Qasimi, as well as some residential districts. Bad weather conditions affected the normal activities along the East Coast. Construction activities at Al Qariya were temporarily halted as water submerged the construction equipment, while desalination facilities at Qadfa were flooded with rain waters. Strong waves smashed the breakwaters at Sharm and Bedia, resulting in flooding. Traffic from Khor Fakkan to Dibba came to a standstill. Met offices across the UAE have advised the public, residents and tourists not to engage in any water-related activities until the weather stabilises. Faisal Al Muhairi, head of weather forecasting section in Abu Dhabi said: “We are monitoring the cyclonic waves through the satellite and radars round the clock and we will officially issue alert notices on Wednesday after assessing the exact situation.”

According to the Met department, the cyclone is at the Arabian Sea and heading towards the northwest with the speed of 10-12km per hour. “This will bring sundry changes in the weather like rain with thunder showers in the eastern areas of the UAE. It will likely reach Fujairah by Wednesday afternoon with wind speed at approximately 50 knots,” Al Muhairi said.

“We expect Cyclone Gonu to hit the Abu Dhabi coast on Thursday afternoon and remain for three days. Though, the intensity of the cyclone will be grave on Friday along the entire UAE coastline. This will bring heavy rains, thunder showers, stormy winds and a heavy tides in the coastal areas of the region,” said Mohammed Ikram Quraishi, senior meteorologist at UAE Met Department.

He warned people to stay away from beaches and sea shores and cautioned fishermen from fishing. He also advised motorists to avoid unnecessary driving on the roads as the visibility may be low in the next couple of days. Major Saeed Al Hamer, Director of Public Relations and Morale Guidance,  Fujairah Police, cautioned the public against hiking in the mountains. “The public may dial telephone number 999 should they need any assistance,” he said.

KHALEEJ TIMES

East coast faces more battering
  
 
UAE: JUN 06: Stormy weather caused by Cyclone Gonu is expected to continue to batter the UAE’s east coast until tomorrow afternoon.  The road from Khorfakkan to Fujairah had to be closed yesterday after giant waves struck the coast. Traffic came to a standstill as water surged through barricades separating the highway from the sea.

Workers were clearing away the debris until evening.  Stores reported shortages of drinking water and candles as residents – afraid that utilities would be disrupted – stocked up on essentials.

And as rain pelted down from the heavily overcast sky, residents along the coast were drenched with saltwater sprays whipped up by the gusts of wind offshore.

Fishing and beach-side activities around Fujairah were halted after strict warnings by municipal authorities.

Occupancy in most beach hotels was substantially down as a result of the warning. Hotel guests were told not to venture near the beaches.

Several scuba outlets stopped accepting dive bookings after news of the cyclone broke. “We’re not expecting any activities to start until next week,” said an employee of one of the facilities.

Earlier in the day, people gathered at the beach to watch extraordinarily high waves.

“We’re seeing such high waves for the first time in several years,” said Jamal A.

There are likely to be more strong winds and driving rain.

But the effects of the cyclone that struck Oman last night will not have a major impact on the country, said Dr Mohammed Saeed Al Ghandi, Minister of Environment and Water.

“Considerable amounts of cloud, driven by strong winds, may cause rains on highlands in the eastern and northern regions,” he said.

“While we urge Coast Guard personnel, port workers, the civil defence, fishermen and other sea-goers to remain vigilant, there is no reason to panic as the UAE will not be affected.” But the bad weather caused problems in many areas.

Fujairah was hit by strong winds and three-metre waves. There was flooding in some areas but emergency units removed the water quickly.

The situation in Kalba was not good as seawater crossed roads and flooded some residential areas. Emergency teams pumped water out of these areas and used sandbags to prevent further flooding.

Khorfakkan escaped relatively unscathed as the area is protected by rocky outcrops that held back the waves.

In Al Ain, it was windy with strong gusts and most of residents stayed at home.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the other emirates were not affected by the cyclone.

A spokesman for Emirates airline said there will be no impact of the bad weather on its operations in Dubai.

Etihad Airways’ operations also continued as normal. “We are monitoring the situation and will take steps as it develops,” a spokesman said.

The cyclone is expected to disrupt supplies of fresh fish to the UAE. Three-quarters of the fish sold in Dubai comes from Oman, said Abdul Raman Al Jaziri, Director of the Markets Department. (

 
EMIRATES TODAY

UAE and India take forward joint initiatives to new level

NEW DELHI — JUN 06: Giving yet another fillip to the Indo-UAE bilateral relations in a two-day crucial joint commission meeting which began here yesterday, Abu Dhabi has taken additional steps to build and reinforce its political, economic and cultural commitments with New Delhi.

With the arrival of UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan here yesterday evening, both UAE and India are taking forward their joint initiatives to a new level. Bilateral assistance is high on the agenda in this key Indo-UAE convention being held after 13 years, said officials.

The two sides are having consultations to give fresh impetus on issues like labour, energy, security, civil aviation and tourism. With issue of illegal Indian migrants in UAE coming up for serious discussion, the meeting is an effort to restructure a common ground for growing alliance between the two sides.

Top sources in the government said that there has been a series of institutional arrangements that are binding on the two nations. Officials said, Shaikh Abdullah and Indian Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee would further ameliorate steps to improve ties when they sit for a delegation level talk today.

The talks are also aimed at removing trade barriers such as registration guidelines, restrictive work permits, visa regime etc. UAE foreign minister will meet Indian Minister for Trade and Commerce Kamal Nath, who recently attended a meeting with UAE Minister of Economy Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi on Indo-UAE trade policy forum.

Nath underlining the strong partnership in the field of trade and commerce told this correspondent: “We have noted that our partnership is still way below the potential. Hence, it needs to be worked upon. I am happy that UAE is keen to bridge the gap.”

A thriving Indo-UAE tie would mean more civilian planes flying in and out between the two nations; there has to be an increased level of tourism. UAE and India agrees to promote each other as a ‘partner tourist destination’. UAE is also likely to let Indian public sector banks like the State Bank of India etc. to have branches in UAE.

The joint commission meeting is significant in many ways, as it is being held following the visit of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, here this March. The commission was set up in 1975, but has met only eight times since then.

Officials said it would be better if the commission is reorganised. “Such meetings would have to be held often to review the progress in our bilateral ties,” officials asserted. Also in a bid to step up bilateral security-related cooperation, UAE and India is holding yet another round of talks on issues of crime and drug-trafficking.

Only last Friday, UAE delegation led by Under-Secretary in the Interior Ministry Saif Abdulla Al Shaafar held talks on security issues with India’s home secretary Madhukar Gupta here. UAE and India have agreed on proposed agreements like one on transfer of sentenced prisoners.

It is said two agreements, one on simplification of visa and immigration regulations and another on cooperation in crime and counter-terrorism, will be signed by the end of 2007. Both the sides have decided that the draft agreements will be finalised in three months starting from June.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Eviction of bachelors: power to 40 residences disconnected

SHARJAH — JUN 06: Power supply to more than 40 labour accommodations in Sharjah’s residential areas has been disconnected, following non-compliance of government orders to shift bachelors to industrial areas, Khaleej Times has learnt.

This measure has been taken after the Executive Council’s recent order aimed at ensuring healthy and safe living conditions for labourers as part of the emirate’s development plans. The order came into effect on May 29.

A committee, set up on instructions from His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has started inspections in residential areas in Sharjah to ensure shifting of bachelors to accommodations in industrial areas.

The committee has ordered companies to abide by the labour housing rules and regulations, which stipulate fire protection measures and emergency exits.

Hareb Al Tunaiji, general supervisor of the committee said, the decision to snap power supply was taken by the Emergency Inspection Committee set up by the Sharjah Police and the municipality.

“All the labour accommodations in residential areas had been issued warnings before the implementation of the decision,” he pointed out, adding, “disconnection of electricity was the last option.”

Besides ensuring fire safety in industrial, commercial and residential areas, the committee is also responsible for monitoring the health of labourers in the emirate in accordance with Shaikh Sultan’s directives.

Al Tunaiji said the committee will review the health and environment conditions at work sites as well as labour camps and suggest modifications in order to ensure hygiene standards and general safety of the labourers.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Over 650,000 under Daman health cover

ABU DHABI — JUN 06: The number of people subscribing to the health insurance scheme launched by the National Health Insurance Company, Daman, has exceeded 650,000 since enforcement of the insurance law in Abu Dhabi in July 2006, according to an announcement.

The company so far has received around 700,000 medical claims from local, regional and international health care providers and members, it said.

Daman has more than 700 health care providers in its UAE network and 453,975 health care providers worldwide.

“Hospitals claims are within our expectations and serve as a proof that our products have satisfied the needs of our members to a large extent and have helped them in receiving health care they were looking for,” commented Dr Michael Bitzer, CEO of Daman.

He clarified that premium depends on certain criteria related to the risk exposure of the member, such as deductible, medical providers network, age, gender, medical condition, selection of policy, marital status, weight and pre-existing medical conditions.

“Daman applies international standards in calculating a premium for an individual, depending on many factors such as medical condition, age and gender. Daman uses such calculations in estimating the health services that a member might need within a year of medical coverage,”  Dr Bitzer said.

Daman is planning to expand through service points located strategically around the country.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Tap water in Abu Dhabi safe

ABU DHABI — JUN 06: According to an analysis done by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) recently, tap water being supplied in the emirate of Abu Dhabi emirate is completely safe for drinking.

The analysis was prompted by a revelation in the media by some foreign studies that consumption of tap water in Abu Dhabi might cause cancer.

“Tests done by ADFCA laboratory show that drinking water in Abu Dhabi does not contain any elements of chrome and is safe for drinking,” said Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, Manager of Communication and Information Department in ADFCA.

The laboratory report said that the water is completely free from contamination. The UAE depends on desalinated water which is taken from the sea.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Not made for a cage

UAE - JUN 06: A UAE pet shop is under investigation for offering to order primates, as pets, for its customers. CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species) officers are looking into the shop after being alerted to the situation by 7DAYS. For just dhs1,800 the small roadside store claims to be able to provide buyers with baby monkeys of various species - animals allegedly being bred in captivity somewhere within the UAE.

And if you buy a male and female together you may even get a discounted rate, according to the store’s owner. A CITES official, based in the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water, said: “All primates are CITES listed and the international trade of these animals requires a CITES permit. Breeding is a different issue again and the management authority will now take this forward to ensure all appropriate documentation is in place.”

Another official based in Dubai’s CITES office added: “We will, as a federal government, investigate and if there is shown to be wrong-doing we will contact the relevant municipality with the information and take action. “This is thankfully unusual and the first time I have heard something like this may be happening. Things are improving in the UAE but this concerns us, as it is an issue of public health.”

The news comes as thousands of delegates, representing 175 nations including the UAE, as well as other UN agencies and conservation and animal welfare organisations, are meeting in The Hague in the Netherlands to discuss the future of hundreds of endangered animal and plant species at the first CITES conference for three years.

7DAYS was alerted to the shop’s unusual stock by a dog lover who popped inside the store after spotting a boxer pup in the shop window and discovered far more than a forlorn looking canine. “I spotted a picture of a chimp and jokingly asked if they sold monkeys too,” she said. “When the friendly assistant told me they didn’t stock them but that they could place one on order, I left a few minutes later trying not to look shocked.”

7DAYS later visited the store undercover to confirm the details given by two readers.  It is believed the monkeys, none of which are kept on shop premises, are being bred within the UAE using primates imported some time ago. What is unclear is if the primates were legally imported to the UAE or whether the breeders, or store, have the required documentation and permits. The store owner did not even seem to be aware of CITES when asked.

The UAE is one of 171 nations party to the CITES agreement, which provides strict legislation preventing the illegal trade and breeding of many endangered and potentially endangered species. CITES permits are issued by the Ministry of Environment and Water’s CITES department.

WWF programme development co-ordinator Lisa Shrake Perry told 7DAYS: “Any establishment breeding monkeys, listed in Appendix II of the convention, would need to be licensed as a facility to do so by the CITES department of the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water. And even then there are further stipulations about which of the offspring can be traded. The first generation would be classed as those taken from the wild, and both those primates and their offspring would be considered captive bred and are not to be sold. Only the offspring of the second generation would be legally allowed to be sold.”

But even if the practice is legal, staff at ape rescue centre Monkey World, based in the UK, urged people considering purchasing a primate to think twice. “They live for maybe 20 or 30 years - it’s a far greater commitment than a hamster,” said one volunteer. “And a house is not a suitable environment for a primate. They live in packs and aren’t designed to be kept as pets.”

Dr Alison Cronin MBE, director of the centre added: "Many primates from the pet trade come to us with severe mental problems because they are torn away from their mothers at birth and kept in solitary confinement. When kept under such circumstances, captive monkeys become incredibly aggressive - more so than they usually are. As soon as they reach adolescence/maturity, they lash out and attack their owners.

"We re-homed a chimpanzee from Dubai several years ago and another from Saudi Arabia. Both had their mothers, and several other family members, shot in order to steal the baby, then they were smuggled out of Africa into the Middle East, where they were kept in solitary confinement. After a short time both chimps became too aggressive for their owners to get near. We have now rehabilitated the two chimps back into natural living social groups at the park."

PROTECTING WILDLIFE

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Annually, international wildlife trade is estimated to be worth billions of dollars and to include hundreds of millions of plant and animal specimens.

The trade is diverse, ranging from live animals and plants to a vast array of wildlife products derived from them, including food products, exotic leather goods, wooden musical instruments, timber, tourist curios and medicines. Levels of exploitation of some animal and plant species are high and capable of bringing some species close to extinction. CITES came into force in 1975, and currently covers almost 33,000 species, more than 80 per cent of them in the plant kingdom. It now has 171 members.

SEVEN DAYS

Dubai - Fake goods sellers fined

Dubai - Jun 06: Two men who sold fake goods from their shop in Dubai’s Gold Souk were fined dhs10,000 at the Dubai Court of first Instance yesterday. The pair had 117 items in their posession which they claimed were from fashion house Bvlgari, but when the famous company found out, it complained to the police. Officers then swooped to arrest the men, the shop owner and his assistant, before turning them over to the Public Prosecution. The court also confiscated the fake Bvlgari jewellery

SEVEN DAYS