UAE 'need not sit through an inquisition'

Dubai: Ill intent is behind the efforts of US legislators and pressure groups to block the establishment of an American university in the UAE, said a leading figure in the Arab-American community.

"There is ill will here. This is an effort to take action against an emerging Arab country," said James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute. "It calls into question the motives of (the legislators)".

Zogby said it was "bizarre" that Connecticut legislators would raise issues about a third country.

"I don't see anywhere in our constitution where it says we should be making policy on those provisions," he said, adding that such efforts were divisive and counter productive in dealing with "friends" like the UAE.

On the labour issue, Zogby said that while there were "issues" with the conditions of labourers in the UAE, they were being dealt with by the government. Zogby said the UAE did not need to "sit through an inquisition" but did need to "set the record straight" before the situation escalated.