THE AL-BURAIMI DISPUTE: A CASE STUDY IN INTER-ARAB POLITICS (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES)

The Al-Buraimi dispute has been briefly written about in most of the political and legal literature related to the region. The main thrust of this thesis is to examine the issue of the Al-Buraimi dispute as it influences the political transition, in the region, from a tribal to a modern nation-state. The study also examines the historical and current relationship of the Oasis and its people to the surrounding region. This work provides further knowledge of the influence and work of the British and American oil companies in the region. It also assists in understanding the process of political modernization. Since the Western concept of politics and the nation-state system is a institution recently introduced to the traditional tribal way of life, this study is based on an historical descriptive approach to examine the issue. At the same time the integrative Federation of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), is examined, as well as the Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council (AGCC) and how the border disputes influence the process of the federations in the region. The findings of this study show that traditional tribalism is deeply rooted in the political system of the U.A.E., as well as the AGCC. Finally, the study shows that the Al-Buraimi dispute could be resolved by a combination of tribal loyalty and the principle of self-determination under international law, however, this achievement will depend on the degree to which the people of Al-Buraimi are directly represented during the negotiations.