Dubai: British expatriates in the UAE were unmoved by the UK government's decision to raise the terror threat level in the Emirates from "general" to "high" on Monday.

The US embassy also reiterated its travel advisory to Americans in the Middle East, including the UAE, reminding its citizens to maintain a high level of personal security awareness.

Commenting on the developments on a local radio station yesterday, Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Chief of Dubai Police, said: "We have no clue about what the British Embassy is talking about. We assure everyone in the UAE that security personnel are on top alert to ensure safety and security. There is no reason to think that terrorists will strike the UAE. Our country is safe and will remain safe," he said.

A UAE security expert who spoke to Gulf News on Tuesday said: "These terror advisories usually come in the form of travel warnings issued by both the American and British authorities. This happens closer to July 4 [American Independence Day] and July 7 [day of the London bombings]. This is a pattern and is a case of crying wolf by the officials. They want their citizens to be alert all the time."

Simon Goldsmith, Second Secretary of Political and Media Affairs in the British Embassy, Dubai, said: "We never comment on intelligence issues. This is a long-standing UK Government policy. Our travel advice is under constant review." Accepting that the British authorities normally do not overreact, the UAE security expert added: "It appears that this time they could have been prompted by their American counterparts.

"As an expert I cannot deny that there are no threats whatsoever, but most of this comes through the more than 5,000 websites managed by jihadist groups. This has been going on for months.

"I have reliable information that the British authorities have tried to get information about the alleged threats, but failed to make any headway. Therefore, they felt that their announcement, however vague, could put extra pressure on the UAE security officials. Security in the UAE, however, is always on top alert. Having said that, there is no guarantee that a terror attack cannot take place, but security personnel will make it difficult for them to succeed."

Andy Clarke, a construction manager from the UK, appeared unperturbed: "I lived in London during the IRA bombs and I feel safer living here than I did back then." J.C Butler from New Mexico was also optimistic. "I'm actually more worried when the British government issues a warning ... I won't be thinking twice before going out to the malls, or nightclubs."


Your comments


As a Brit, I for one feel safer out here than in London, where there is a greater likelyhood of being mugged or stabbed for your mobile and loose change on a night out. However, because of the ramifications they may cause, I do know these warnings aren't issued on a whim and unless you're part of the security service dealing with this specific end of the business, you're unlikely to know under what context it has been issued and is hardly going to be a 'cry wolf' warning. We are in a region where part of it is under conflict and emotions are running high. No matter how you spin it, it just takes one to slip thru and like most countries in the world the UAE isn't bulletproof or immune. Anyway, I just see it as a 'be careful' wakeup call reminding us where we are.
Jack
Dubai/Muscat,UAE/Oman
Posted: June 18, 2008, 12:49

As a regular visitor to the UAE we were dissapointed to here of the raised threat level, especially as we will be out in a few weeks for our summer holiday. British Intelligence output is usually quite accurate and is certainly based on some quite specific. Realisticaly I believe this will happen every now and again and we will just have to live with it as the new normal. There may well be some incidents and we will have to adjust our lives accordingly. However the increased security at Dubai Airport (Arrivals) does instil confidence in the traveller. The Emirates has much to protect so I'm sure a great deal of work is going on behind the scenes to resolve this current issue.
Roger
London,UK
Posted: June 18, 2008, 12:44

I moved to Dubai from England in Jan 08 because I got fed up with the weather, crime, politics and morals. Most ex-pats I know here are ashamed of our Government and their involvement within the Middle East. Sometimes these days I am no longer proud to be British.
Andrea
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 18, 2008, 12:29

I think we are all under a threat from these groups. If my country has put the alert to a high state i belive they would have done this for a reason. To say it is linked to the 7th July is rubbish. I was down the road from the bus which got blown up and saw first hand the effect it has. I do think Dubai will do all to protect us. I would say to all watch out and be careful.
Gerome
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 18, 2008, 11:13

I don't really understand why UK anounces such warning wherein people living in UAE were living peacefully and sudenly such a warning will come with out any proof. I don't know were they get those information and really,they're scaring the people. Now we have to think twice whether to go out shopping or eating outside as we have to think about this threats.
Roberto
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 18, 2008, 09:39

How many British expats did you speak to in order to arrive at the conclusion that we were all 'unmoved'?
Ian
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 18, 2008, 09:11