The oil rich emirate's is threatened with dissolution as deputies seek to question ministers on arms import deals, alleged corruption, the illicit drug trade and human rights issues. The deputies are trying to force the defence ministry to scrap plans to buy 48 "unsuitable" M109A6 Paladin 155 mm self-propelled howitzers from the US.

The entire government failed to attend a parliamentary session on 10 June. The parliament was dissolved by the Emir after opposition grew in the 1980's. 

Saudi Arabia

. Saudi Arabia is planning to save money by spending about $1 billion to improve its armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles. This contract will include 130 90 mm canons, 260 50-calibre heavy machineguns, 160,000 anti-tank shells and training facilities. Save money? 'Yes,' say the Saudis. 'We are not buying new weapons.' With good reason. The army already has about 3,000 armoured vehicles, and there aren't enough troops to go on them !

Saudi / Y Yemen

Saudi Arabia and Yemen have agreed that their joint technical and legal committee should continue meetings for the final demarcation of their border, the Saudi Press Agency reported on 8 June. The last round of talks were held in May.

Yemen/GCC

Having its application to join the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) put on hold since 1966 turned down several times Yemen said it would not repeat a request to join the grouping again. Yemen may only expect to receive observer status in the group which is striving somewhat unsuccessfully to enhance political, military and economic ties between the member states. The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, only UAE president Sheikh Zaied once spoke openly for his desire to accept Yemen, in an interview with Adel Darwish for the Independent in December 1989 in order to keep Yemen away from Iraq.

Yemen

Some Yemeni tribesmen who have been involved in kidnapping foreigners, say they will help the government put an end to the abductions, which have threatened the growth of tourism . But many observers don't believe that since kidnapping has become a lucrative business.

Threats to America in the Gulf

The US Navy canceled shore leave in the region and advised servicemen to be extra cautious. Two years ago this month a Bomb in the US military compound in Al-Khobor killed several service men. Recent threats by Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden - who is the prime suspect in the attack have also contributed to the tension, while some western as well as regional intelligence services are trying to question Saudi millionaire Osama Bin laden, who has been stripped of his Saudi nationality and believed to be living in Afghanistan. He is reportedly involved in planning terror attacks and threatening American personnel in the region.

Security has been tightened around US at embassies throughout the Middle East. American citizens were advised to be alert and inconspicuous when traveling in the region. The US has withdrawn its Air Force Air Expeditionary Wing from Bahrain's Sheikh Isa airbase. Bahrain had agreed in March to extend the deployment of US aircraft on its territory for a further two months at the height of the crisis between Iraq and the UN over weapons inspections The last of 12 F-117 stealth fighters deployed in Kuwait last November returned to the US on 7 June.