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David Cameron encouraging greater Gulf investment in UK | David Cameron encouraging greater Gulf investment in UK |
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David Cameron will seek to persuade the sovereign wealth funds in the United Arab Emirates to invest in the UK on the second day of his Gulf trip. | David Cameron will seek to persuade the sovereign wealth funds in the United Arab Emirates to invest in the UK on the second day of his Gulf trip. |
The prime minister is aiming to strengthen the UK's defence, security and commercial ties in the region. | The prime minister is aiming to strengthen the UK's defence, security and commercial ties in the region. |
Mr Cameron has promised not to shy away from the issue of human rights during the visit. | Mr Cameron has promised not to shy away from the issue of human rights during the visit. |
But he is likely to have a difficult meeting with the king of Saudi Arabia, says BBC correspondent Frank Gardner. | But he is likely to have a difficult meeting with the king of Saudi Arabia, says BBC correspondent Frank Gardner. |
Britain is looking to sell Typhoon jets to Dubai and Saudi Arabia, despite allegations of human rights abuses. | Britain is looking to sell Typhoon jets to Dubai and Saudi Arabia, despite allegations of human rights abuses. |
Since arriving in the UAE, Mr Cameron has attended trade shows and held behind-the-scenes discussions with rulers and business leaders, in what is one of the richest countries in the world. | Since arriving in the UAE, Mr Cameron has attended trade shows and held behind-the-scenes discussions with rulers and business leaders, in what is one of the richest countries in the world. |
Largest funds | Largest funds |
Mr Cameron has given little away so far on what discussions he has had on the human rights situation, which is described by campaigners as "deteriorating" - says Frank Gardner, the BBC security correspondent. | Mr Cameron has given little away so far on what discussions he has had on the human rights situation, which is described by campaigners as "deteriorating" - says Frank Gardner, the BBC security correspondent. |
On Tuesday the prime minister is due to meet representatives of three of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the UAE, which are all focused on energy investment. | On Tuesday the prime minister is due to meet representatives of three of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the UAE, which are all focused on energy investment. |
David Cameron has completed the first leg of his three-nation Middle East trip in the UAE and now begins the hard part: his meeting with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and the Crown Prince Salman in Jeddah. | David Cameron has completed the first leg of his three-nation Middle East trip in the UAE and now begins the hard part: his meeting with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and the Crown Prince Salman in Jeddah. |
As usual, the outward courtesies will all be there: the VIP reception, the ceremonial thimble cups of cardamom coffee and the polite small talk for the cameras. But privately there are real tensions in the UK-Saudi relationship, mainly in differences over the Arab Spring democracy movement. | As usual, the outward courtesies will all be there: the VIP reception, the ceremonial thimble cups of cardamom coffee and the polite small talk for the cameras. But privately there are real tensions in the UK-Saudi relationship, mainly in differences over the Arab Spring democracy movement. |
The Saudis have told me they are "insulted" by the prospect of a UK Parliamentary inquiry into relations between the two countries. They say they believe its been prompted by activists working to an Iranian agenda in the Gulf. | The Saudis have told me they are "insulted" by the prospect of a UK Parliamentary inquiry into relations between the two countries. They say they believe its been prompted by activists working to an Iranian agenda in the Gulf. |
The King is also likely to complain to David Cameron about a London-based Saudi dissident, Dr Saad Al-Faqih. The Saudi leadership considers him complicit in terrorism but Britain has seen no reason to arrest him. | |
The issue may well overshadow Number 10's bid to sell more Typhoon jets to Saudi Arabia on top of the 72 already ordered. | The issue may well overshadow Number 10's bid to sell more Typhoon jets to Saudi Arabia on top of the 72 already ordered. |
Later he flies to Saudi Arabia - where he will meet the country's King and Crown Prince. | Later he flies to Saudi Arabia - where he will meet the country's King and Crown Prince. |
The BBC's Frank Gardner, who is travelling with Mr Cameron, says the meeting is likely to be awkward. | The BBC's Frank Gardner, who is travelling with Mr Cameron, says the meeting is likely to be awkward. |
Last month Saudi diplomats said they were insulted by the idea of a parliamentary inquiry in Britain into UK-Saudi relations. | Last month Saudi diplomats said they were insulted by the idea of a parliamentary inquiry in Britain into UK-Saudi relations. |
The review was announced in September by the Foreign Affairs Committee, which is also looking into relations with Bahrain. | The review was announced in September by the Foreign Affairs Committee, which is also looking into relations with Bahrain. |
Saudi Arabia's rulers are also irritated that the government will not move against a Saudi dissident living in London, whom they consider to be involved in terrorism. | Saudi Arabia's rulers are also irritated that the government will not move against a Saudi dissident living in London, whom they consider to be involved in terrorism. |
Saad al-Faqih - who runs the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia - has lived in the UK since 1993. | Saad al-Faqih - who runs the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia - has lived in the UK since 1993. |
Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been criticised for alleged human rights abuses, but they have rejected these criticisms. | Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been criticised for alleged human rights abuses, but they have rejected these criticisms. |
They have warned that if Britain continues to support calls for reform, prompted by anti-government activists, they will increasingly give lucrative deals to Asian partners instead. | They have warned that if Britain continues to support calls for reform, prompted by anti-government activists, they will increasingly give lucrative deals to Asian partners instead. |
Speaking in Dubai on Monday, Mr Cameron said: "On human rights, there are no no-go areas in this relationship. | Speaking in Dubai on Monday, Mr Cameron said: "On human rights, there are no no-go areas in this relationship. |
"We discuss all of these things but we also show respect and friendship to a very old ally and partner. | "We discuss all of these things but we also show respect and friendship to a very old ally and partner. |
"We have one of the strictest regimes anywhere in the world for sales of defence equipment but we do believe that countries have a right to self-defence." | "We have one of the strictest regimes anywhere in the world for sales of defence equipment but we do believe that countries have a right to self-defence." |
It is Mr Cameron's second visit to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as prime minister. | It is Mr Cameron's second visit to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as prime minister. |
No 10 says the UK is looking to sell about 100 Typhoon jets to the UAE and Saudi Arabia as well as building closer defence and security ties. | No 10 says the UK is looking to sell about 100 Typhoon jets to the UAE and Saudi Arabia as well as building closer defence and security ties. |