f Rulers: composed of the seven emirate rulers, the
council is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE;
establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation, Abu
Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto
power; council meets four times a year
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral Federal National Council (Majlis
Watani Itihad); no elections; reviews legislation, but cannot change
or veto

Judicial branch: Union Supreme Court, judges appointed by the
president

Political parties and leaders: none

Other political or pressure groups: NA

International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL,
AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,
IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Husayn al-SHAALI
chancery: Suite 600, 3000 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 338-6500

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador David C. LITT
embassy: Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi
mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi; American Embassy Abu
Dhabi, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-6010 (pouch)
telephone: [971] (2) 436691, 436692
FAX: [971] (2) 434771
consulate(s) general: Dubai

Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and
black with a thicker vertical red band on the hoist side

Economy
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Economic overview: The UAE has an open economy with one of the
world's highest incomes per capita and with a sizable annual trade
surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 33% of
GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of
those commodities. Since 1973, the UAE has undergone a profound
transformation from an impoverished region of small desert
principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At
present levels of production, crude oil reserves should last for
over 100 years. Although much stronger economically than most Gulf
states, the UAE faces similar problems with weak international oil
prices and the pressures for cuts in OPEC oil production quotas. The
UAE Government is encouraging increased privatization within the
eco