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Nationals represent barely 20% of the population in the United Arab Emirates, but form the economically and socially privileged group of UAE citizens. The Rulers of the seven emirates were able to retain the historical loyalty of the "Emiratis" by advancing the economic development of the individual states, while Abu Dhabi-financed federal development helped to create a viable national state. Democratization is not of the same urgency as in some neighboring Gulf countries.
Following the death on November 2, 2004 of Shaykh Zayid bin Sultan Al Nahayyan, who had been the UAE's only President in 33 years of the country's existence as a modern state, it is an apt moment to take stock of the stage of this young nation's development. At the time of the imminent withdrawal of the British military and diplomatic protection between 1968 and 1971, when his emirate and a group of other small shaykhdoms had to decide on their political structure and future statehood, Shaykh Zayid had been an ardent advocate of political cooperation between the Gulf states, which were affected by this decision. Initially Bahrain and Qatar were expected to form part of a federal solution. When these two decided in July of 1971 to "go it alone" the seven Trucial States formed a federation, called the United Arab Emirates.1 The seven Rulers voted for Shaykh Zayid to be the UAE's first President. He was re-elected by them every five years. By the end of his life, Shaykh Zayid left behind a remarkably prosperous and stable country. Testimony to this was the spontaneous outpouring of sympathy from leaders all over the world, who came in person to Abu Dhabi to express their condolences. Many individuals and organizations who had benefited from his generosity joined the people of the UAE and the Gulf region in mourning the passing of their benefactor.
ASPECTS DISTINGUISHING THE UAE FROM NEIGHBORING GULF COUNTRIES
The United Arab Emirates does not fit ordinary norms - be they the ones of political and social structures or of economic assets. Just over a generation ago the population of the Trucial States was illiterate and after the decline of the pearling industry they became so poor that during the 1950s entire families emigrated to neighboring Qatar.2 Now, the...