Submitted by Mohamed Taleb, Oct 28, 2007 10:45

There is indeed far more open society to western culture in the UAE than in any other arabic country that we can think of, and this is totally the results of these countries ambiguous relations with european colonial powers and the US. Their backward attitude towards economic development stems from their total disrespect for human rights, and abuses are very common during recent histories. The love hate relationship they have with western cultures has also been fueled by the palestinian isreali conflit over the holy land which can accomodate easily the three religious warriors and pave a way to a peaceful coexistance ... economic and social development of the middle easter region.

As for Mauritania, there is a need to understand that it is in fact a very much open society than it seems at first, but has plagued over the last thiryt years with poverty and corrupt governance. The country has also suffered from its human right record with slavery and bad treatment of its southern black population. The vasteness of the country and its enormous natural ressources can be a bleesing if their is a long term political development policy to alliviate poverty, educate its young population, build basic infrastructures and pave the way to a tourism industry that protects the environment. This small country with its peaceful populations can indeed become more open and much more welcoming to foreign interests which development and economic aid can foster.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.