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The proximity of Iran also played a key role in the stripping Ras al-Khaimah of the 2010 America’s cup defense. (Cite) Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison and team BMW/Oracle filed suit that Ras al-Khaimah was an unsafe venue because the racing area was within 17 miles of islands occupied by Iran.<ref>Bernie Wilson, Associated Press, October 2, 2009</ref>
The proximity of Iran also played a key role in the stripping Ras al-Khaimah of the 2010 America’s cup defense. (Cite) Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison and team BMW/Oracle filed suit that Ras al-Khaimah was an unsafe venue because the racing area was within 17 miles of islands occupied by Iran.<ref>Bernie Wilson, Associated Press, October 2, 2009</ref>



== Lobbying Activities in America ==
== Political and Lobbying Activities in America ==


Sheik Khalid has been criticized by the current regime in Ras al-Khaimah for political activities in the United States that raise awareness and document RAK’s connection with Iran.
Sheik Khalid has been criticized by the current regime in Ras al-Khaimah for political activities in the United States that raise awareness and document RAK’s connection with Iran.


Khalid has a $900,000 contract with American political consulting firms California Strategies and with the lobbying firm of International Government Relations Group.<ref>http://www.fara.gov/docs/5889-Exhibit-AB-20081014-1.pdf</ref> <ref>http://www.fara.gov/docs/5953-Exhibit-AB-20091009-1.pdf</ref> As can be seen in the footer of the Sheikh's Blog and websites www.sheikkhalidrak.com and sheikhkhalidrak.com, which is used repeatedly as a source for this entry, California Strategies is paid to operate the blog to promote Khalid's agenda and to position him as a "thought leader" in DC.
Sheik Khalid has a contract with American political consulting firm California Strategies and with the lobbying firm of International Government Relations Group.<ref>http://www.fara.gov/docs/5889-Exhibit-AB-20081014-1.pdf</ref> <ref>http://www.fara.gov/docs/5953-Exhibit-AB-20091009-1.pdf</ref>


In addition, Sheikh Khalid hired Glenn Simpson, an ex-[[Wall Street Journal]] reporter with extensive experience in investigating how Islamic terrorism is financed.<ref>The Hill, November 3, 2009, "Deposed sheik hires former reporter in lobbying effort," http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/66195-deposed-sheik-hires-former-reporter-in-lobbying-effort</ref>
In addition, Sheikh Khalid hired Glenn Simpson, an ex-[[Wall Street Journal]] reporter with extensive experience in investigating how Islamic terrorism is financed.<ref>The Hill, November 3, 2009, "Deposed sheik hires former reporter in lobbying effort," http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/66195-deposed-sheik-hires-former-reporter-in-lobbying-effort</ref>

A full overview of Khalid's lobbying efforts can be found here: [http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/66195-deposed-sheik-hires-former-reporter-in-lobbying-effort


Sheikh Khalid attended the [[inaugural]] of [[President Barack Obama]] and purchased [[billboards]] congratulating Mr. Obama on his victory.<ref>Stuart Elliott, January 15, 2009, New York Times, "This Is a Special Keepsake Inauguration Column"</ref>
Sheikh Khalid attended the [[inaugural]] of [[President Barack Obama]] and purchased [[billboards]] congratulating Mr. Obama on his victory.<ref>Stuart Elliott, January 15, 2009, New York Times, "This Is a Special Keepsake Inauguration Column"</ref>



== Current Policy Positions ==
== Current Policy Positions ==

Revision as of 21:28, 8 February 2010

Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi is the former Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. He is the eldest son of His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, who has ruled Ras Al Khaimah, the northernmost Emirate of the the United Arab Emirates, since 1948.

Khalid served as Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah from 1958 until his removal from office by his father in June 2003. He is currently in exile.[1] Khalid has repeatedly stated that his father, Sheikh Saqr, in 2004 reaffirmed in a royal decree that Sheikh Khalid – not his half-brother, Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr al Qasimi – was the true Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of RAK.

However, this alleged royal decree has never been officially recognized by the Government or Ras Al Khaimah or the United Arab Emirates. The decree has never been presented in public other than in .pdf form on a blog managed by his lobbying team, California Strategies with whom he has a contract for approximately $900,000. [2] The decree was never officially published in the UAE nor does it have an official document number, both of which are necessary for such a decree to be in effect or considered authentic. For this reason, the official UAE informational website, www.uaeinteract.com lists HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi as Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ra's al-Khaimah. [3] UAE Political Leadership

Personal Life & Education

Khalid is one of eight brothers, most of whom hold official roles within the government of Ras Al Khaimah [4]. Khalid undertook his elementary schooling in Ras Al Khaimah, his secondary education in Cairo and his higher education at Loughborough University, a public university located in the East Midlands of England in the United Kingdom.


Service and Record as Crown Prince

He served as Chairman of the Board of the National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah, [5] the Ras Al Khaimah National Oil Company, [6] RAK Gas Commission [7] and RAK Cement Company. [8]

During his tenure as Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler, Sheikh Khalid promoted economic development including the expansion of both the International Airport and Saqr Port, the promotion of clean energy and agricultural initiatives, cement manufacturing and investment in health care.

Khalid has been called a reformer for his efforts to promote changes that would lead to greater popular participation in society in both the Emirates and the region as a whole. As the Arabic news network Al Jazeera noted, the “[r]eform minded Sheikh Khalid had asked for democratic changes in his Emirate and the Country as a whole which have later been fully accepted and integrated policies of the Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates.”[9][10]

Khalid also built a reputation for hardline opposition to Iran and its controversial occupation of the Tunb Islands, which had been under the long historical control of Ras Al Khaimah, but were forcibly seized by Iran on November 30, 1971.[11][12]


Controversy Surrounding Removal from Office

After 37 years in office, Khalid was removed as Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler on June 14, 2003 by his father and replaced by his younger half-brother Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi. [13]

The removal of Sheikh Khalid as Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler caused unrest in Ras Al Khaimah and was met with street protests. Thousands of demonstrators shouted “with our souls and blood we defend you Khalid” and “no other crown prince” following his expulsion. Order was restored when Abu Dhabi, the lead emirate of the UAE, sent armored vehicles to Ras al-Khaimah.[14]

There were numerous reported reasons for Khalid 's removal as Crown Prince. One reason being that he was considered to be at odds with the political leadership of the UAE. Khalid's vocal hostility to the US intervention to depose Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath regime became a liability for the UAE. In 2003, he led a protest march of several hundred people through Ras-Al Khaimah and allowed the local radio station to broadcast a consistently anti-US line.[15] This occurred at a time when the federal government guided by Sheikh Zayed in Abu Dhabi was strengthening cooperation with the US.

Other media reports, published well after the fact, speculated that Khalid was removed, in part, due to his support for women’s rights and his opposition to Iran and its controversial occupation of the Tunb Islands.[16] BBC June 10,2002, September 1, 2002, September 6, 2002, November 29, 2002) In addition, Sheikh Khalid's opposition to the war in Iraq to depose Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath regime was seen as counter to UAE policy [17]

The Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported the appointment of Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al-Qasimi as crown prince without delay, which gave the impression that Abu Dhabi approved of the appointment. No reaction was forthcoming from Dubai.[18] Those close to Sheikh Saqr al-Qasimi, the Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah, said that despite the fact that he was at the time approaching 85, he was still with full faculties. As such, the pressure that Sheikh Khalid's supporters put on him to reverse his decision was futile. He said to those attempting to mediate in the affair at the time: “These are my sons and I am free to make my own decisions.”[19]

Exposing the Influence of Iran in Ras al-Khaimah

Sheikh Khalid has been vocal about the increasing influence of Iran in Ras Al Khaimah. In a 2009 letter U.S. lawmakers he noted: "The supportive posture [RAK] takes toward the Islamic Republic of Iran is undermining the policies of the United States”…[RAK] has become “an increasingly important staging ground for Iranian efforts to circumvent international economic sanctions,” [20]

According to published reports, Ras Al Khaimah has become a preferred port for Iranian smugglers to avoid customs and move nuclear materials – potentially for weapons – into Iran. George Webb, the head of the Canada Border Services Agency's Counter Proliferation Section, told Canada's National Post:[21]

While nominally in the U.A.E., the port is controlled by Iran and is situated just across the Gulf from Bandar Abbas, an Iranian city with a naval base and an airport capable of landing large transport planes."Ras al-Khaimah is actually leased by the Iranian government, staffed by Iranian customs," Mr. Webb said, as he examined a classified satellite photo of the port.

The relationship between the RAK and Iran has garnered increased attention for two reasons.

First, a recent agreement that allows the United States to share peaceful nuclear technology with the seven United Arab Emirate states – including RAK – is causing concern that this peaceful agreement could unintentionally aid Iran’s nuclear program.[22]

Second, in the fall of 2009, a plot was exposed to blow up the world’s tallest building in Dubai. An armed network believed to be associated with Iran and connected to the plot operated out of Ras al-Khaimah.[23]

At the time, Kuwaiti news sources reported that “According to sources linked to the case, the Iranians have real foothold in the UAE, particularly in Ras al-Khaimah. Iran has cultivated close business relations with Crown Prince Saud bin Saqr al-Qasimi and his close associate, Lebanese Shiite businessman, Massad Khater.[24]   According to these sources, this is not merely an innocent business relationship. Khater is a partner in a ceramics factory called Ras al-Khaimah Ceramics. This factory, the sources claim, directly aids Iran's weapons and missiles industry. The factory even has a branch in the Iranian city of Natanz, where parts for Iranian warheads are produced.” [24]

The proximity of Iran also played a key role in the stripping Ras al-Khaimah of the 2010 America’s cup defense. (Cite) Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison and team BMW/Oracle filed suit that Ras al-Khaimah was an unsafe venue because the racing area was within 17 miles of islands occupied by Iran.[25]


Political and Lobbying Activities in America

Sheik Khalid has been criticized by the current regime in Ras al-Khaimah for political activities in the United States that raise awareness and document RAK’s connection with Iran.

Sheik Khalid has a contract with American political consulting firm California Strategies and with the lobbying firm of International Government Relations Group.[26] [27]

In addition, Sheikh Khalid hired Glenn Simpson, an ex-Wall Street Journal reporter with extensive experience in investigating how Islamic terrorism is financed.[28]

Sheikh Khalid attended the inaugural of President Barack Obama and purchased billboards congratulating Mr. Obama on his victory.[29]


Current Policy Positions

Sheikh Khalid has called for a clean, sustainable and independent energy future for Ras Al Khaimah and for increased educational opportunities, including a rapid expansion of international and cross-cultural student exchanges.

The Partnership is focused on the following initiatives:

  1. Develop opportunities for sustainability between national and sub-national governments in the Middle East
  2. Bring together leading green technology innovators, environmental experts and renewable energy developers to guide leaders in the Middle East in developing a sustainable future
  3. Assist with identifying projects that will attract investment and provide economic growth
  4. Work with other international and regional groups to foster collaboration for sustainability
  5. Be a resource for learning more about how to invest, develop, and encourage sustainability in the Middle East[30].

On Sovereignty and security matters, Al Qasimi is a strong supporter of the efforts of the United Arab Emirates and of the need for Ras Al Khaimah to work within the framework of the Federal Government. In this context, Khalid has long stood against Iran’s occupation of the Greater and Lesser Tonb Islands and Abu Musa and strongly supports the United Arab Emirates efforts to bring the matter before the International Court of Justice and the United Nations.[31][32][33] These islands are of particularly strategic value because of their location at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, the only sea passage to the open ocean for most of the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, and through which 40 percent of the world’s oil supply travels every year. [34]

Al Qasimi has announced "A Pledge For Progress".[35] It calls for:

  1. Building an economy to serve the people and not just the powerful.
  2. Pursuing energy independence.
  3. Preserving Sovereignty.
  4. Increasing educational opportunities for the next generation.
  5. Promoting the rule of law, including respect for intellectual property.
  6. Encouraging greater popular participation in government.

References

As of this edit, this article uses content from "Meet His Highness Sheikh Khalid", which is licensed in a way that permits reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, but not under the GFDL. All relevant terms must be followed.

  1. ^ http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/66195-deposed-sheik-hires-former-reporter-in-lobbying-effort
  2. ^ http://www.fara.gov/docs/5889-Exhibit-AB-20081014-1.pdf
  3. ^ http://www.uaeinteract.com/government/political_system.asp
  4. ^ Gulf States Newsletter, Volume 32, number 842; December 5, 2008
  5. ^ November 12, 2000 Gulf News, "Ras Al Khaimah bank overhauls image, aims to expand"
  6. ^ Gulf News Dubai, January 2003
  7. ^ Gulf News, January 23, 2003,"RAK test well makes new gas strike"
  8. ^ UAE News Digests, May 4, 2001 "UAE Ras Al-Khaimah Cement Factory Officially Opens"
  9. ^ BBC, 31 December, 31 2002 "Ras al-Khaymah radio to switch on new transmitter"
  10. ^ Gulf News, June 1, 1991 "Expanded cement plant to begin output"
  11. ^ http://www1.american.edu/TED/abumusa.htm
  12. ^ BBC, September 6 2001, "UAE crown prince urges Iran to withdraw from islands"
  13. ^ UK Telegrapgh, "Emirate prince ousted in womens rights row" http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/unitedarabemirates/1433072/Emirate-prince-ousted-in-womens-rights-row.html
  14. ^ Washington Institute for Near East Policy, "Succession Politics in the Conservative Arab Gulf States: The Weekend's Events in Ras al-Khaimah" http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=1647
  15. ^ http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=1647
  16. ^ Eric Sharp, Free Press Outdoors, "America's Cup saga continues with Wednesday hearing" November 2, 2009
  17. ^ http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=1647
  18. ^ http://www.mees.com/postedarticles/politics/ArabPressReview/a46n28c02.htm
  19. ^ http://www.mees.com/postedarticles/politics/ArabPressReview/a46n28c02.htm
  20. ^ October 2, 2009, "Ellison Has ‘Grave Safety Concerns’ for America’s Cup" http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=aj_z2m9lPpA0
  21. ^ October 8, 2009 Foreign Policy – The Cable, "UAE prince accused of aiding Iran, assaulting hotel staf"
  22. ^ The New York Post, October 7, 2009 "Sheikret weapon, Emirate a Tehran pal"
  23. ^ Webindia.com, "Dubai denies Iran plot to blow up tallest tower in world"
  24. ^ a b YNET News, September 15, 2009, "Wave of arrests follow plot to blow up Dubai tower" http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3777251,00.html
  25. ^ Bernie Wilson, Associated Press, October 2, 2009
  26. ^ http://www.fara.gov/docs/5889-Exhibit-AB-20081014-1.pdf
  27. ^ http://www.fara.gov/docs/5953-Exhibit-AB-20091009-1.pdf
  28. ^ The Hill, November 3, 2009, "Deposed sheik hires former reporter in lobbying effort," http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/66195-deposed-sheik-hires-former-reporter-in-lobbying-effort
  29. ^ Stuart Elliott, January 15, 2009, New York Times, "This Is a Special Keepsake Inauguration Column"
  30. ^ http://www.sheikhkhalidrak.com/blog/?id=306
  31. ^ "BBC June 10,2002, "Radio reports on UAE proposal to settle dispute over islands"
  32. ^ BBC September 1, 2002,"Arab League chief, UAE prince discuss islands "occupied" by Iran"
  33. ^ Dow Jones International News, April 2, 2001, "UAE Says UN Should Act On Iran In Dispute Over Islands"
  34. ^ http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/070326_iranoil_hormuz.pdf
  35. ^ http://www.rakforthepeople.com/
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