March 1

Capt Saeed, Spiller wins first Masafi rally
Saeed Khalfan and John Spiller in their Mercedes 230G were comfortable winners of the first Masafi 450 kilometre 4-wheel drive along testing desert terrain. The Bahrain entry of David Ovey and Brian Carron came second, while the winner among the ladies was Kath Goulder and Caroline Astley in a 797cc Suzuki.

March 2

Security Council blasts Israeli violation
UN Security Council unanimously censured Israel for its policy of establishing colonies in occupied Arab territory, and called for their dismantling. Speaking after the vote, Donald McHenry, the chief United States delegate said, "We regard the colonies in the occupied territories as illegal under international law."

March 3

Shaikh Rashid names new police chief
His HIGHNESS Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, issued an Emiri decree appointing a new commander-in-chief of Dubai Police. The decree said Lieutenant Colonel Dahi Khalfan Tamim has been promoted to the rank of colonel and will assume the duties of commander-in-chief of Dubai Police.

March 4

Trudeau takes oath of office
Pierre Trudeau took the oath of office to begin his fourth term as Canadian Prime Minister only nine months after a disastrous election defeat that nearly marked the end of his political career.

March 5

Mugabe magnanimous in victory
Marxist leader Robert Mugabe, outright victor in elections to end nine decades of white domination in Rhodesia, began forming a coalition government. Jubilation among his supporters and apprehension among whites greeted the official announcement that the radical left-wing had won 57 of the 80 seats reserved for blacks in the first 100-member Zimbabwe Parliament.

March 6

The hand of friendship
French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing has arrived on his first state visit to the UAE, held his initial round of talks with President His Highness Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The UAE rolled out the red carpet for the French President, Madame Giscard and other French ministers and officials accompanying them. Giscard was warmly greeted at Abu Dhabi airport by Shaikh Zayed, Vice-President and Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler His Highness Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Shaikh Zayed and Giscard held private talks at the Al Mushrif Palace. (Picture on top)

March 7

Students to give up hostages
Iran's ruling revolutionary council has accepted an offer by Muslim students occupying the US Embassy to take over custody of their 49 American hostages.