Israel Matzav

Iran slams UAE for welcoming Landau

Iran has slammed the United Arab Emirates for welcoming Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau to a conference on renewable energy last week, although Landau did not meet with any government officials.

Top Iranian clergyman Ahmad Khatami slammed the United Arab Emirates on Saturday for its decision to allow National Infrastructure minister Uzi Landau to arrive at its international energy conference ealier in the week.

"This is an unacceptable normalization," Khatami said, calling the U.A.E. leaders responsible for the invitation "sanctimonious hypocrites."

...

Landau said the Israeli delegation entered the country after special arrangements were made. "They had to do it since they committed themselves to making it possible for all member states, with or without relations, to participate in the agency's activities," Landau said in a phone interview from Abu Dhabi.

As some of you may recall, last year the Emirates was fined $300,000 for banning Israeli Shahar Pe'er from its annual tennis tournament. That's not going to happen again.

Last week the U.A.E. authorities sent a written assurance to the World Tennis Association that all players who will qualify for the 2010 championships will be allowed into the country and welcome to play in Dubai.

That ought to get the Iranians seething. Heh.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:46 PM