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Heavy Security Follows Global Ruling Class Wherever it Goes A Special Interview for Dubai IMF Independent Media Site For more than two weeks now, security across Dubai has been very tight. Where metal detectors are placed at the entrances of night-clubs and bars which are frequented by a predominantly western crowd in fear of Al-Qaida attacks (there are constant threats), the tight security is not new. With the coming of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) meetings, even more invasive measures have been taken. All basement parking across Sheikh Zayed Road (the main thoroughfare that runs through the financial district) has been closed, effectively shutting access for thousands of tourists and residents. All employees and visitors to the buildings along Sheikh Zayed Road are searched upon entering and leaving. The amount of uniformed and undercover security officials has multiplied on a level never seen before. There are constant and supposedly random roadside security checkpoints all around the financial district and the World Trade Center convention center where the meetings are to be held. Below is an interview with an employee from one of the towers directly opposite the World Trade Center: Interviewer: How long have you worked in this building? Employee: About 7 years now. Interviewer: How has the start of the IMF in Dubai affected you? Employee: Well, there's been a lot of security all down Sheikh Zayed Road; there are undercover cops everywhere and police who search everyone's bags before entering the buildings. We also can't park in the basement parking anymore since they've been closed. My commute time has tripled. It's all a real big headache. Makes you wonder what the hell they're doing in there. Interviewer: Is everyone being questioned and searched? Employee: Yes, it seems like it. There are so many undercovers that for the past two weeks random men will walk up to you and start asking you a series of questions trying to see what you're doing there and where you're going. They're also trying to see if you have any opinions about the whole ordeal. Interviewer: How are people reacting to this? Employee: I'm not sure really. There is so much paranoia that everyone is an agent that it's sort of taboo to talk about it. But the people that I do know are all trying to put this aside and sort of ignore it. We've all seen how much the government is willing to do to be accepted by the West. Its like they have no principles. It really makes me angry. The whole thing seems to be an opportunity for Dubai to get its name out and have this really accepted image for all the multinationals. Interviewer: What do people think about the fact that Benjamin Netanyahu is here representing Israel? Employee: Umm, well you know it depends on who is asking. Personally, I think it's really wrong. They really are trying not to mention it as much as possible in the news or there might be public outcry over the fact that he is coming to an Arab, Muslim country. But then again it just goes to show you how far our governments are willing to go to please the IMF. How else would this guy get to come here without any protest? |
Dubai IMF Media Watch |