Dubai: The UAE is one of the closest security partners of the US in the region, with Emiratis admired by Americans for their toleration for other cultures, the new US ambassador to the UAE told Gulf News.
In an interview, Barbara A. Leaf, who recently took charge of office, said the UAE has for decades extended support in operations against extremist militancy.
“I think it goes without saying that they [the UAE] are really one of our most important, closest partners today in the region. And they have been there in every important significant international security operation going back more than 20 years… So that part of the relationship is superb,” Leaf said.
The ambassador — previously Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Arabian Peninsula in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs from 2013-2014 and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq from 2011-2013 _ said though she has visited other places in the region, tolerance and understanding of others have been particularly idolised by Emiratis.
“What I find to be the most interesting aspect of the national character here is this deep and abiding sense of moderation, of ‘live and let live’. And I find that very welcoming, and it’s welcoming to me and my family, and it’s welcoming to the huge and growing American community [in the UAE]. It’s a very distinctive aspect of culture here and in the Gulf.”
Leaf, who speaks Arabic, French, Italian, and Serbo-Croatian, has extensive experience in the Middle East. She directed the US Provincial Reconstruction Team in the strategic province of Basra, Iraq from 2010-2011. She also served as the first director of the Department of State’s Office of Iranian Affairs.
Leaf added that the close US-UAE ties also extend to trade and education. Her comments came on the sidelines of a reception held for US companies which took part in the Arab Health exhibition and conference that concluded in Dubai on Thursday.
Bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to $27 billion (around Dh99.2 billion) in 2013. Last year’s figures are being tallied and seem to be around the same as 2013.
Speaking about the US participation at Arab Health, Leaf said, “What I’m particularly excited about is that we’ve had 80 first-time small-medium [US] businesses dipping their toes in this wonderful ocean of business here… We recognised this [Arab Health] as one of the premier events that are put on during the year in the UAE.”
Leaf said she is already planning to explore more opportunities for closer bilateral ties.
“I have to not only make sure the relationship, which is excellent between our countries, is in fine order and is expanding but I want to find some new areas too. And I’m not ready to say what they are yet but I’m getting ideas right now.”
However, she did say that her efforts would include increasing the number of Emiratis studying in the US.
“We have, as I understand it, about 2,700 Emiratis studying in the US every year. I think that’s a great number but I’m interested to raise it and I think I’ll find lots of partners here in the government as well as in the university system. I know there is a great interest in the US, from a cultural standpoint, from an educational standpoint... I would really in particular like to see Emirati students avail themselves of the really great opportunities we have in the United States and of course I’m seeing a steady flow of US university students come here for short periods as well as for longer stays of study. I think that’s great for mutual understanding.”
Leaf has also experienced a bit of local culture since assuming her duties in January.
“[For] my first weekend in the country, I came to Dubai for the endurance horse race, for the endurance cup. I thought that was a fabulous insight into an aspect of Emirati culture that I would definitely like to explore more. And I’m generally interested in exploring all of the traditional Emirati arts and crafts and culture,” she added.
