The United Arab Emirates is a
federation of seven
emirates, each ruled by a Sheikh. Until 1971 the
sheikhdoms had been
protectorates of the United Kingdom, known as the
Trucial States. On December 1, 1971 The UK ended its relationship with the Trucial States and the sheikhdoms became independent. On December 2 the seven sheikhdoms, under the leadership of
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan united to form the United Arab Emirates. The United States
recognized the independence of the United Arab Emirates the next day on 3 December 1971. Diplomatic relations were established on March 20, 1972, when Envoy
William Stoltzfus presented his credentials to the government of the United Arab Emirates. Stoltzfus was concurrently accredited to
Bahrain,
Kuwait,
Qatar, and
Oman, and the UAE while resident at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait. During Stolzfus’ tenure as non-resident Ambassador, the embassy in Abu Dhabi was established on May 15, 1972, with
Philip J. Griffin as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim. The first ambassador solely accredited to the UAE was
Michael Sterner, who
presented his credentials on May 24, 1974. ==Ambassadors==