DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates will close a military camp near Dubai used by Canadian troops to support operations in Afghanistan in an escalation of a dispute over landing rights, a source said on Sunday. The decision came after the UAE failed to convince the Canadian authorities to allow its two major airlines to increase flights to Canada. “Canada kept giving excuses and playing for time,” said a source, speaking on condition of anonymity. Dubai carrier Emirates had been lobbying the Canadian government to boost its thrice-weekly direct flights to Toronto and more Canadian destinations. Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi also wants to increase the flights. Canadian carriers worry that the UAE airlines would steal away connecting passengers that make their routes profitable and have lobbied the government to resist. reuters
COMMENT: So the rulers of the UAE have no problem allowing the Canadians to kill Muslims in Afghanistan but when their airlines are prevented from making more money, they are prepared to close down a Western airbase!