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It is really quite silly.  The U.A.E wanted more airplane births here in Canada.  Canada said no.  The U.A.E has responded with a series of measure that makes entering and doing business in the U.A.E, for Canadians, much more inconvenient.  The latest hiccup has been with two Canadian business people:

“Darius Mosun and his business partner, Jonathan Mark, spent more than 15 hours stranded at the Abu Dhabi airport because of confusion over new visa rules imposed on Canadian travellers.  Although their visa allowed them to enter the U.A.E. last week, they were blocked from entering that country a second time on Friday after making a side trip to Saudi Arabia.  They were told their visas were only valid for a single entry, even though that rule wasn’t written on the document itself.”

I’m not really sure why Harper and his merry men have denied the U.A.E more landing births in Canada, but the result is that Canadians travelling to the U.A.E they are facing trial by red-tape as soon as enter the airport.

“Mosun also said he noticed that Canadians were singled out at the airport for additional screening, something he hadn’t experienced on previous trips.  After arriving in Toronto, Mosun, 42, said such “major inconveniences” make it tough for Canadian companies to compete in foreign markets.  He said he’ll be contacting officials in Ottawa to urge them to protect Canadians travelling for business who may be affected by the diplomatic spat.  The new rules were imposed at the start of the month after Canada refused last fall to grant the U.A.E.’s two major airlines increased landing rights.”

The whole situation just seems a bit childish to be perfectly honest.  It is not like we are the US or anything and simply threaten and bully the U.A.E to acquiesce to our demands/rules.  We must come to a settlement that benefits both parties, a compromise that benefits both parties poorly.  It is the Canadian way after all.  :)