Biden needs to set the record straight

Abu Dhabi (WAM): US vice-president ought to clear the air on his misleading comments on U.A.E.’s role in dealing with Daesh, a U.A.E. newspaper has demanded. "The U.A.E. and the US are close friends, share a warm relationship and have stood shoulder-to-shoulder against extremists and terrorists whenever and wherever necessary," the English language daily 'Gulf News' said in a commentary yesterday. And for anyone to suggest otherwise is clearly ill-informed, mistaken or malicious, the paper continued. That is why the U.A.E. is wholly surprised at the comments attributed to US Vice-President Joe Biden who suggested it had provided arms and finances to terrorists in Syria. His comments angered others in the region too and Biden has already issued an apology to Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Perhaps it is time he made a similar gesture to the U.A.E.. Why? Let us be very clear on this. His comments are simply wrong. Or, in the words of Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, the U.A.E. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the remarks were "amazing and ignore the role of the Emirates in the fight against extremism and terrorism". Rightly, Dr Gargash has asked Biden to clarify his misguided comments because they have created a false impression about the role of the U.A.E. ... at a time when it is actually supporting ... efforts to overcome" terrorist groups. Perhaps Biden was away from his desk when reports broke of the U.A.E. and other Gulf and Arab states participating in the first round of air strikes against Daesh (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). "The U.A.E.’s counter-terrorism approach reflects a pioneering national commitment that recognises the extent of the danger posed by terrorism to the region and to its people," Dr Gargash noted. "Whether it is through logistical support or any other means and there are many should Biden wish to check with officials at the US State Department the U.A.E. has stood alongside the US as a staunch ally. Dr Gargash has called for a formal clarification of Biden’s statement, which gives an inaccurate impression about the U.A.E. and its track record particularly at a time when the U.A.E. is actively involved in counter-Daesh missions with its allies." "Biden needs to set the record straight and the sooner the better," the paper concluded. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates-arab-international/1395270539292.html