France requests use of UAE satellite channel

France asked the UAE to allow it to use the UAE channel in the Arab Telecommunication Establishment "Arabsat." The UAE welcomed the French request, as it included a pledge to respect the Arab traditions, culture and the religious teaching.

The Arabsat had previously stopped broadcasting "Canal Francaise Internatinale" after it broadcast programs which were against Islamic and Arab values. The new request is to broadcasting programs from the 5th channel of the French TV, known to abide by the values of Arabs and Muslims.

The UAE satellite Al Thuraya will be ready for work by the year 2000. Qatar, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya, and Yemen are now members of Al Thuraya. There is no competition between the Arabsat and Al Thuraya as Arabsat participated with 10 % in the capital of Al Thuraya.