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Friday, October 5, 2007      New: Take a Stand

UAE closes 40 firms in anti-proliferation crackdown

ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates has moved against scores of companies as part of a crackdown on illegal arms exports.

Officials said Abu Dhabi shut down 40 foreign and UAE firms amid a crackdown on money-laundering and illegal export of weapons and dual-use equipment banned by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. They said the crackdown was the result of a new UAE law that banned the export of many dual-use products that could help nuclear weapons programs.

"The companies were proved to have been involved in money laundering and proliferation of dual use and dangerous materials banned under the NPT treaty and other UN resolutions," UAE Economy Undersecretary Abdullah Al Saleh said. "The UAE is committed to meet its obligations towards the global effort for non-proliferation."

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In an interview with the Abu Dhabi-based Gulf News on Sept. 9, Al Saleh did not identify the targeted companies. He said the new UAE export ban covers weapons, chemical and biological components, Middle East Newsline reported.

The UAE has also been forming a commission to monitor trade in items deemed sensitive. Officials said Abu Dhabi has sought help from Western and regional allies regarding the flow of weapons and dual-use products in the Gulf.

The UAE has come under pressure by the United States to block the reexport of dual-use and military equipment to such countries as Iran and Syria. In December 2006, the Bush administration warned that Abu Dhabi could be targeted by U.S. sanctions.

"The process to ensure transparency in global trade started prior to the law," Al Saleh said. "We have a number of joint task forces with several partners."

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