UAE protests against Iran offices on disputed island
Published: Thursday, August 14, 2008
15:30GMT—11:30AM/EST
UAE – IRAN – ISLANDS
Washington, 14 August (IranVNC)—The United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry today protested against Iran’s establishment of two offices on the contested island of Abu Musa, and called for them to be removed, the state-run Emirates News Agency [WAM] reported today.
According to WAM, the UAE Foreign Ministry summoned Iran’s charge d’affaires to receive a formal protest after Iran set up a marine rescue center and a “registration office for ships and sailors” on the island.
The Persian Gulf Islands of Abu Musa, the Lesser and the Greater Tunbs, located in the Persian Gulf, are controlled by Iran, but the UAE claims sovereignty over them, based on a 1971 Memorandum of Understanding.
WAM quoted an unnamed UAE Foreign Ministry official as calling the offices “illegal” and a “clear violation” of the 1971 agreement.
“Such violations will never help to promote bilateral relations between UAE and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the news agency quoted the official as saying.
The official called on Iran to remove the offices and reverse any other measures that violate the agreement.
The move came in response to a report on Iran’s state television which had announced the opening of the offices, WAM wrote.
Sources: WAM
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