According to Bloomberg News, the United Arab Emirates has caught North Korean red-handed in supplying Iran with munitions and supplies for potential nuclear weapons.
Diplomats are saying the UAE seized a ship two weeks ago that was transporting explosives, detonators, grenades, and munitions bound for Iran. The ship, owned by an Australian subsidiary of a French company, was found to have ten containers on board disguised as oil equipment.
Despite this incident being a clear violation of United Nations sanctions, the UN has yet to receive a response from either Iran or North Korea.
Earlier this summer, the Security Council voted to adopt a resolution punishing North Korea for its recent nuclear-bomb test and missile launches. This newest resolution requires the inspection of any material in international
waters that is suspected of carrying arms.
Read More:
Rueters: Australia probes N. Korea weapons for Iran seizure
WSJ: Iran arms remain sealed
Asia Times: Storm over North Korea-Iran arms vessel
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is reporting an 18 percent decline in tourism to the Middle East region between January and April compared with the same period last year. However, compared with other areas of the world the MENA (Middle East North Africa) region is faring relatively well, according to the Naseba Investment series.
Despite the global slump, the United Arab Emirates’ tourism industry, with its famous destination of Dubai, performed better than the rest in Arabia showing a three percent growth from last year. In Dubai, government involvement meant a major new promotional campaign, reduced fares on nationally-owned Emirates Airlines and governmental pressure to reduce hotel rates to improve international competitiveness on the market.
Chicago-based Jones Lang LaSalle, a real estate and investment company, reported that there are signs of recovery in the region. However, none of the necessary conditions for recovery have been met. During the first quarter of 2009, some progress has been made with ‘green shoots of recovery’ being recognized in respect of over half of the 17 requirements for recovery Jones Lang LaSalle has identified.
The UNWTO also forcasted in its 2020 Tourism Vision for the Middle East, the Middle East is likely to see its oil revenues decrease over the next 20 to 30 years, and with little to no other mineral resources to sell, countries will increasingly turn to tourism, capitalizing on their other natural assets – historic and Islamic traditions.