Expatriates in UAE offer differing views on election

Dubai/Abu Dhabi: Despite being far from home, American expatriates, and other members of Dubai's diverse community, have been following the election mostly through the internet and avidly watching television coverage.

Paul Furfaro, 45, University Lecturer, American, said: "I am very disappointed with the limited options we have. I don't like any of them. I tend to be quite conservative and the two candidates are very liberal," Furfaro says.

Although he has voted in the many years he has lived abroad, Furfaro is abstaining this year.

"I would vote for neither. Both are very liberal and bad news for the economy. It's all about massive government spending and that's not what we need."

Bevin Roue, 28, English Instructor, American, said: "My impression is that this is an intense election just because there is a lot more money being spent and it is an election that will affect the world. I am voting for Obama, because America needs to be a messenger of peace. America has been quick to resort to violence and we really need to change that image... Obama is very smart and we need a smart President."

Olena Aydarova , 26, English Instructor, Ukrainian, said: "This is a very tense election. There is a lot of tension this year. This is very polarised election," Aydarova says.

Despite not being an American, Aydarova has intensely followed the election mostly through CNN and BBC. "There seems to be a lot of animosity that didn't exist before. I am forced to follow it three or four times a day mostly through TV."

Daoud Khalaf, 45, senior contract manager, Palestinian, said that to follow the American election is not a priority.

"I do not follow it closely as I do not believe that it makes a difference if it is a Democrat or a Republican in office as the foreign policies towards the Middle East are predetermined and the president has a more executive role. However, if I had the right to vote I would have elected Obama, not because there would be a drastic change in America's foreign policy but it would be an achievement to have a black person in the White House," he said.

Mohammad Ameen, 42, business developer, Indian, said he closely follows the election as he believe that the American election is important for everybody as US policies are effecting the globe.

"I follow news of the election through the newspaper because I feel a solution for the global financial crisis would only be feasible after the election as the whole of America is now occupied with voting."

Salim Al Baik, 26, English teacher, Palestinian, said that he does not follow the American elections as it does not make a difference for him who is in the White House.

"I follow it vaguely through the TV, mainly Al Jazeera, but I strongly believe that it does not make a difference for me as an Arab and Palestinian if it is a Republican or a Democrat in office as they will continue to pursue the same foreign policies."