Flower Clock unveiled in Abu Dhabi

The Flower Clock on Salam Street in the capital - a gift from the city of Geneva - was officially inaugurated yesterday in the presence of the visiting Mayor of Geneva, Manuel Tornare.

The Flower Clock was unveiled at an impressive ceremony by Sheikh Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, the Ruler's Represen-tative in the Western Region and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning Department.

The Clock, a replica of the Geneva Flower Clock, is a token of appreciation of the deep-rooted affection President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has shown to Geneva as well as to all of Switzerland.

The ceremony was also attended by the Swiss Ambassador, Dr Francois Barras, diplomats and government officials.

Located next to the Sheraton Hotel, the Flower Clock is a combination of unique flowers, plants, rocks and fountains created by the Agriculture Section of the Municipality in co-operation with the Parks, Gardens and Environment Department of the City of Geneva and its local consulting company, Orient Irrigation Services.

"The clock is a gift from the city of Geneva to Sheikh Zayed for his very long friendship, and we created this project because we know how much he appreciates greenery," said Mayor Tornare.

During his visit, Tornare briefed Sheikh Mohammed on Geneva's two new major projects - the Federation of United Cities and International Solidarity Fund of Cities against poverty.

He emphasised that the participation of Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the two projects are important for the success of the projects that aim to find solutions for cities that face problems.

The International Solidarity Fund of Cities was set up to tackle poverty, inequality and social exclusion. Only cities with good governments can be members.

Citing an example of bad governments, he recalled: "The former Mayor of Kabul asked for assistance but I refused. I told him that I know that the Taliban regime doesn't respect the rights of women. We only cooperate with decent governments that have respect for traditions and customs that are in favour of their country."

The Mayor is also hoping to organise a conference between the mayors of Palestine and Israel in Geneva next October to help contribute to the peace process.

Referring to the recent Israeli atrocities, he said: "No solution will be reached if Sharon does not stop his stupidity."

The Mayor also said he is "absolutely sure that peace will not come from the U.S. because they are not neutral enough".

The Mayor said he had met Arafat in 1999 and told him that it was necessary for Palestine to have a state.

"You cannot ask Arafat to put order to his state if a state doesn't exist," he said, stressing that Palestinian territories should be rebuilt after the brutal Israeli attacks.

The fund is helping the Palestinians and organising major projects for the rebuilding of Ramallah and reducing the poverty rate.

The Mayor said he was most impressed with the "determination of Abu Dhabi to fight the desert and the way wealth has been shared".