Pool you may be on to something. I know that the UAE rejected Canada's offer for 3 times weekly to YVR and YYC and outrightly said no to letting them pick up pax in Canada and continue into other destinations (6th freedom).
Seems it might have been a good idea to accept the compromise and work for more flights going forward.
Why would the UAE refuse a negotiation? Or is it that they take the rather typical tack from this part of the word and expect to get what they want with no conditions?