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2009 Programs and Events
U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi Celebrates Presidents Day 2009
The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi hosted nearly 1000 honored guests and friends in honor of U.S. Presidents Day 2009 at the Beach Rotana Hotel in Abu Dhabi on February 17, 2009. His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Her Excellency Shaykha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, and the Honorable Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State, and Dr. Ali Al Hashemi attended the reception hosted by Ambassador Richard G. Olson, Jr. Members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of Emirati academia, culture, society and business joined together for an evening to honor of the 44 American citizens who have served their nation as President of the United States. The U.S. Air Force Central Command band “Falcon” presented an energetic performance of the best of American classic rock music.
Remarking on the solid friendship that the U.S. and the UAE share, Ambassador Olson noted that “President Obama has pledged to approach the Middle East with the open hand of friendship. In the case of the UAE, we know this friendship will be reciprocated, as indeed it has been for the last 37 years, initially under the guidance of Shaykh Zayid bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, and now under the wise leadership of President Shaykh Khalifa bin Zayid Al-Nahyan. Our two countries have a relationship that includes cooperation in the full range of human endeavor, including commerce, education, culture, health care, the arts, and of course, government to government relations.”