"Activists seek elections in United Arab Emirates" by Associated Press / March 10, 2011
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A group of citizens in the United Arab Emirates petitioned the rulers yesterday to allow a popularly elected Parliament, signaling that demands for leadership overhauls raging across the Middle East have also reached the oil-rich Gulf federation.
Bahrain has been gripped by a three-week uprising, and smaller rallies for greater political freedoms have taken place in Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
There are no official opposition groups in the Emirates, which is a union of seven sheikdoms. Activists who advocate change have until now been largely idle during the region’s unprecedented political unrest.
The petition, signed by 130 proreform supporters, was a sign that Emiratis, too, are now acting on the inspiration by the Egyptian and Tunisian revolts. It demands changes in the ruling system, giving them a say in the running of the country and a share in its oil wealth....
--more--"
