Bush gets taste of UAE culture

Dubai Following days of hard-hitting comments against Iran and other foes, US President George W. Bush was more relaxed on Monday as he got a glimpse of the UAE's rich culture and its future initiatives.

Bush was shown around Dubai yesterday by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The tour began with a stop at the historic house of the late Shaikh Saeed Al Maktoum in Shindagha, where Bush was treated to traditional music and dance. The house, built in 1896 on the creek, is now a museum showcasing photographs and artefacts relating to the UAE's and Dubai's history.

Bush then visited the Shaikh Mohammad Centre for Cultural Understanding in Al Bastakiya. After lunch with students of the Dubai School of Government, Bush also visited the Burj Al Arab hotel, where he met with young Arab leaders.

Working together

"I'm most impressed with what I've seen here. The entrepreneurial spirit is strong, and equally importantly, the desire to make sure all aspects of society have hope and encouragement," Bush told the group of young entrepreneurs.

"I also want you to understand something about America - that we respect you, we respect your religion and we want to work together for the sake of freedom and peace."

Before arriving in Dubai, the US president, accompanied by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, toured an exhibition dedicated to the cultural district of Saadiyat Island, 500 metres off the UAE capital's shore, which will be home to the largest single cluster of world-class cultural assets.

Bush visited another exhibition for the Masdar initiative, a multi-billion dollar investment in alternative and renewable energy sources and carbon management.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" he said. "This country has gotten its wealth from the ground and is now reinvesting in alternative forms of energy."

- With inputs from WAM and AP