UAE Says French Rafale Fighter Jet Proposal Unworkable

The United Arab Emirates, which was said to be in final talks with France to buy 60 Rafale fighter jets, said Wednesday the French offer was unworkable and uncompetitive, WAM state news agency reported.

"Unfortunately, Dassault does not seem to realize that political will and all diplomatic efforts could not overcome uncompetitive and unworkable commercial terms," WAM quoted Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan, the deputy head of the armed forces, as saying.

The crown prince of Abu Dhabi, who is the strongman of the oil-rich emirate, praised French President Nicholas Sarkozy for the efforts made to secure the deal for Dassault, adding that the relations between the two countries could not have been better.

"Thanks to French President Sarkozy, France could not have done more diplomatically or politically to secure the Rafale deal," he said.

"Bi-lateral relations have never been stronger and his constant personal intervention in this process has kept Dassault at the top of our considerations," he added.