By IANS,
Dubai : This west Asian metropolis is one of the five cities chosen by the US Democratic Party to discuss American foreign policy positions over videoconference this month ahead of the presidential elections later this year.
Jerry Hagstrom, a political analyst and a senior leader of the Democratic Party, will engage journalists and policy specialists from the floor of the Democratic National Convention in Denver between 4 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. Aug 25 at the Dubai School of Government (DSG), the official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
The programme, organised by the DSG in association with Dubai Press Club and the American Center for Press and Cultural Affairs at the US embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will offer the participants an opportunity to discuss with the representative of the Democratic Party issues of concern to the Arab region and the foreign policy approaches of the Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Hagstrom will also answer questions from the participants on a wide range of issues pertaining to Obama’s approach to the Middle East.
“We are delighted to offer this opportunity to discuss a wide range of policy issues through the video conference,” WAM quoted US Consul General in Dubai Paul Sutphin as saying.
“The proceedings of the National Democratic Convention will be broadcast live from the headquarters of the party. The imminent presidential elections in the US is a significant occasion for exchange of ideas on the rule of law and other issues that concern the US and the Middle East,” he added.
According to Hafed Al-Ghwell, DSG director for external relations, the vidoeconference will give Dubai a say in the US’s foreign policy stand vis-à-vis the region.
“The opportunity to learn the Democratic Party’s positions on issues relevant to us is significant for our future. The proposed conference provides opportunity for direct interventions from Dubai. Participants from Dubai will be able to air their views and enquire about issues that concern them,” he said.