FEDERAL PERSUASIONS

The early days of the United Arab Emirates, when the federation was propelled into existence by the British withdrawal from the Gulf in 1971. were a lot less difficult than many had expected them to be - including the departing British and the rulers and peoples of the federation itself. True, the new state was a deal smaller than had been originally envisaged. Bahrain and Qatar had been very likely candidates to join the other seven shaikhdoms of the so-called Trucial states, until, with second thoughts in Manama and Doha about the leadership of the federation, the two countries decided against joining and chose separate independence.