Space tech firm denies access deal with Israel

A UAE space technology company has denied reports that the country is close to signing a deal with an Israeli company that would give it access to an Israeli satellite.

Reacting to reports in the US press, Khaled Al Buainain, Vice-President of 4C Controls, which plans to launch two satellites, said: "These reports are designed to mislead the public, and hurt our image and the UAE's reputation. I can assure you that we have nothing to do with such reports.

"If the UAE wants to co-operate in this field, I am sure they will announce it publicly. The UAE government has always followed a frank policy and never hides anything. As far as we are concerned, we categorically deny such reports."

Al Buainain, who spoke to reporters at Idex 2009, was reacting to a report in the US weekly newspaper Defense News that a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries, ImageSat International, is in talks with Abu Dhabi to provide access to the Eros B commercial high-resolution imaging satellite.

"I again affirm to you that we have nothing to do with such reports and we have no relations whatsoever with Israel. Of course we cannot go beyond the policy guidelines set by our government," Al Buainain said.

"As for what we will do against this newspaper, I will only say that we leave it to our government. It is up to our country to take the right legal procedures," he said.

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