Avicenna
Courtier
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2008
- Messages
- 543
- City
- North of Lake Constance
- Country
- Germany
I think this situation is a vivid example of openness that has gone wrong. I am sure that British diplomats will do their best mitigating the whole situation. Moreover, I am sure that rulers of the Gulf countries show understanding for Her Majesty's position. I can't help, but wonder how the mass media learnt about the cancellation in question and why it created a storm in a tea cup.
In light of all the articles and comments, the Buckingham Palace statement looks somewhat lame. I hope that it will take steps to avoid such PR faux pas in the future. ... or perhaps ... this is the way things are done in the UK nowadays.
Al_bina, first of all, thanks for the information provided earlier on. I agree that British diplomats will have done their very best to resolve the situation ... however, one item struck me as insulting. Have you noted in the Times Online article who was mentioned as ruler of Abu Dhabi :
The fact that it did not name the destinations may mitigate the embarrassment felt by the rulers of Dubai - Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, a major racehorse owner who has met the Queen on several occasions - and Abu Dhabi - Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan - but now there will be considerable loss of face.
I always thought that Abu Dhabi was ruled by Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan ... but maybe I am wrong and the Times knows better
BTW the TimesOnline also mentioned that two weeks ago the Palace has sent out e-mails to royal correspondents informing them of the dates of the tour, March 23-27, and asking which organisations would be likely to send journalists to cover it. Of course the Palace had to undo this, too, so this might be the reason how they knew about it.
And last ... the Sunday Express had an article on the same topic, too. Voilà:
Sunday Express | UK News :: Just how ill is Philip? - state visit off as he is told to rest