UAE sources said Abu Dhabi has informed Canada that it could no longer
use the base at Camp Mirage, Middle East Newsline reported. They said the decision was meant to express UAE
disappointment over Canada's refusal to allow an increase in flights by
Emirates airline to the North American country. The two countries had
negotiated such a proposal for five years.
"The UAE entered negotiations in good faith on the understanding that a
solution would be reached," UAE ambassador to Canada, Mohammed Al Ghafli,
said. "The fact that this has not come about undoubtedly affects the
bilateral relationship."
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The sources said the UAE expected the United States to intervene and
press Canada to resolve the crisis with Abu Dhabi. The United States has led
the NATO mission in Afghanistan, which focused on the war against Al
Qaida and Taliban.
The UAE has become a leading Gulf hub for the NATO mission in
Afghanistan. The UAE has allowed such mission members as Australia, Britain,
Canada, France and the United States to use military bases, particularly Al
Minhad.
Under a memorandum of understanding, the Canadian use of Camp Mirage
expired in June. The sources said Abu Dhabi had extended Canadian base
rights until September as a goodwill gesture.
In contrast, the UAE has granted expanded base rights to Australia. The
sources cited reciprocity by Australia, which now allows 100 UAE flights per
week, triple that of 2005.