A Visit To Dubai Inc.

Steve Kroft Reports On A Success Story In The Middle East

(CBS)  Sheikh Mohammed says he considers himself a friend of the United States and the he loves the country and its people.

Asked what he likes about the U.S., Sheikh Mohammed says, "I like everything about them, except their foreign policy little bit. I don't like their foreign policy."

"Can you be more specific about the foreign policy? What don't you like about the foreign policy?" Kroft asks.

"No I'll leave it vague. Just, I'll leave it like that," the sheikh says. "I think the American people will know what I mean."

"You had conversations, and consultations with the United States before the Iraq war," Kroft says.

"Yes. Yes. We gave the best advice we can to our friends. But, as you know, they don't always listen," the sheikh says.

Sheikh Mohammed acknowledges he was against the war. "It was wrong war," he says.

There are also differences with the U.S. over Iran, which is one of Dubai's closest neighbor, largest trading partners, and one of its biggest investors. Any hostilities in the Persian Gulf could present the sheikh with some difficult choices. But for the time being, business is still booming.

"What do you do when you're not the ruler of Dubai? What gives you happiness and pleasure?" Kroft asks.

"I'll be riding my horses," Sheikh Mohammed says. "I love horses."

Sheikh Mohammed owns one of the world's top breeding and thoroughbred racing operations. The morning 60 Minutes visited, the sheikh was selecting horses for races all over the world. Some of the world's most expensive thoroughbreds were on display.

His passion is evident. "These are the best horses in the world," he tells Kroft.

Asked what it is that he loves so much about horse racing, Sheikh Mohammed says, "It’s my hobby. The horse in my blood."

"Of the horses we've seen today racing, what are they worth?" Kroft asks.

"I mean, each one if he win what we think he will win, he’ll be worth 50 to 60 million dollar!" Sheikh Mohammed says.

There was one horse in particular that interested the sheikh. "I expect this to pass this before its done. Otherwise I’ll be disappointed," he said, watching the race.

On this particular day the sheikh was not disappointed. Nobody likes to disappoint the sheikh -- not even the horses.

"That’s what I want to see!" the sheikh says. "That’s what I want to see!"

[fingerson-2009]

Where are they getting their electricity? Nuclear plants?

[nagma-2009]

Except for a pithy reference to ''building without regulation'' and ''changing of geography,'' you avoided the expose of a gigantic environmental disaster that the planet and world''s people will ultimately have to pay for. The long-term forecast for Dubai society does not look very promising either.

[nagma-2009]

Except for a pithy reference to ''building without regulation'' and ''changing of geography,'' you avoided the expose of an environmental disaster that the planet and world''s people will ultimately have to pay for. The long-term forecast for Dubai society does not look too promising either.

[revcsg]

PLEASE could we not get it right? Burqa is a word used to describe the women''s blue tent like garb (that has a woven net over the eyes)in Afghanistan which is not an Arab country. In the Middle East it is not used. In the Arabian Gulf region including Dubai, Qatar the word most used is Abaya. I have heard the word Burqa used time and time again recently in the States.It is not correct and thus we are embarrassing ourselves by our ignorance certainly in the eyes of others who know better.

[kffinance]

Great sales pitch for Dubai. Mr. Kroft never mentioned that you will not be allowed in Dubai if you have an Israeli stamp in your American passport - traveller beware.....

[xlib]

Oh veteran, no, no, no. See, this is the place that bubba made big, big bucks. See, you''re still buying into that class envy thing. That doesn''t work anymore. Do some research and see just who are the rich scumbags. I do believe there would be many, many dems. Besides, why so jealous??

[bwinski]

It amazes me how Americans (AND Steve Croft) view the rest of the world thru an American-only prism... Americans will see this an say "We''re paying for all of that - let''s drill everywhere we can here". Which is COMPLETELY not the right message of "Were running out of Oil, we have to think about what we will need as a country in 20-50 years"...VERY different perspectives.

We are such small minded people...Limited perspective will be our undoing.

But with the chimpy/darth media filter running rampant in this story, NO ONE will get the correct message...

[bwinski]

It amazes me how Americans (AND Steve Croft) view the rest of the world thru an American-only prism... Americans will see this an say "We''re paying for all of that - let''s drill everywhere we can here". Which is COMPLETELY not the right message of "Were running out of Oil, we have to think about what we will need as a country in 20-50 years"...VERY different perspectives.

We are such small minded people...Limited perspective will be our undoing.

But with the chimpy/darth media filter running rampant in this story, NO ONE will get the correct message...

[trader1999]

I liked Steve Kroft''s report, though in this rerun, it appears that it was not updated from the first run. Along with the images from the piece, another stands out in my mind: that from CNBC (I believe) in the last 30 days of 200 tanker trucks which each day haul sewage away from the new development because the existing 30 year old treatment plant is inadequate to handle the new offices and condos. But, along with Steve, I guess all those condo-buyers spent more time in the penthouses and boardrooms and not much time underground exploring the more mundane aspects of the country. Had they done so, I rather believe those condos might have come off their $5M price tags. Furthermore, if I were considering some involvement with this development, it would give me pause to consider how such an integral part of any building or city in the world got such short shrift in Dubai. But then, I do not believe they provide sewage systems on Hollywood movie sets either.

[tnollc]

It is disappointing that 60''s Steve Kroft did not discuss with Sheikh Mohammed his education program for his subjects. This program has resulted in his subjects running the country and not the foreign nationals...i.e..like in Saudi Arabia

[loushor]

To Steve Croft:

You did not tell the whole story about Dubai !

Within 5 years they will have the busiest airport in the world. More takeoffs and landings than O''Hare or Atlanta, or any other place in the world. Perhaps a little more than five years to reach the goal.

To accommodate the entire number of visitors going to where there is everything in one place, not necessary to go to the beach or mountains or to a shopping center: They will get it all in Dubai. Expensive, but for people with the ability to go where they want, this will be the ultimate destination. Look for that to happen sooner than later.

LOUSHOR

[inventagod]

Oh -
Thought this was a discussion board about Bu$hCo...
Sorry.

[ladyjaneg]

Yay Dubai!! Good for you! :D

[hypnotoad72]

"Why are you in such a hurry? Most people would try and do this in a lifetime, not five years," Kroft asks.

"I want my people to live better now. To go to high school now. To go to good health care now. Not after 20 years," the sheikh explains.
------------------------
Everyone in the world wants that.

America is currently helping them and every other country develop. Right now, at the cost of its own.

I look forward to the day we can rebuild America and continue down a truly globalized society where we all prosper.

[cbs_oliver]

The fairy land image and gushing praise featured in this story reminds me alot of a story I read when I was younger - it was in Life Magazine, beautifully illustrated, about the Shah of Iran.

[brianbwb-2009]

"Somewhere in there is a creature as dark as Darth Vader." Posted by rudy654

Or, as he is known in America, VP Di*k Cheney.

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by mbburch06

"Once they arrived in the new country, they were priced and sold, and their documents taken away. The young women told me they were forced to service mechanics, soldiers, priests, butchers, tourists, and even U.N. personnel who were supposed to protect them...

(You can hear Vika''s story in the FlashPoint slideshow, Moldova: The Price of ***.) She told me she had been trafficked to Dubai, at times serving 30 clients a day. She quickly learned the only English words necessary to keep her owner from hitting her: "How much?" and "With or without plastic?" Once, without plastic, her luck ran out and she got pregnant. It didn''t matter. Her pimp kept her working for the duration of her pregnancy."

Some job mbburch06, let us hope your daughter gets one of these jobs.

[brianbwb-2009]

Didn''t get to stop by the new Halliburton headquarters, eh?

[rudy654-2009]

Dubai makes me think of something so bizarre and strange, like that of the Empire in the Star Wars movie series. Somewhere in there is a creature as dark as Darth Vader. The buildings are not anything real (not like the art of ancient cities), but just false corporate communities, with an emphasis on greed and debauchery, the hypocrisy of Islam and Christianity.

[neobrian-2009]

How they can EXPLOIT all those people who labored in that Extreme heat to build such structures so Quickly!"
====================
YES SO TRUE !!! YES SO TRUE !
Workers from Southeast Asia brought there with promises,...for $ 4 an hour,..more than they can make at home,...They put them in camps,...They CAN`T QUIT,,...They Can`t go home,...I`ve seen this kind thing First hand !!
YOU BIGOTS Go To Faux Noise !
You Scumbugs ARE the Filth of this nation !!!!!
If You had Your way,..Everybody would work for nothing,...GET a Clue !! YOU HAVE NO IDEA !!
You live in Fantasy world where You believe all the lies You are Told by YOUR KING,...Go listen to Rush,..Get Your Brains washed some more by the Shrubbie-scrubbing s,..
YES,..These workers Have Been EXPLOITED,..not all,..They Have Only the law of the RICH,The Corrupt,The Greedy,.....Just Like The GOP would Love to enjoy here,..BUT,THIS ELECTION WILL ERADICATE the GOP Stranglehold on Our Once Proud Nation !
Shrubbies,..Crawl back into Your Holes,..You ARE The Lowest forms of Life,..Amoebas,Slimy,Greedy,Liars