Most Gulf states seeks security ties with Iran
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Wednesday, May 9, 2001
WASHINGTON The United States and its Gulf Arab allies are quietly
discussing future relations with Iran.
The discussions are taking place as most Gulf Cooperation Council states
are expressing interest in improving relations with Iran in all spheres.
This includes security cooperation.
Last month, Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a security cooperation
agreement that does not include military issues. Arab diplomatic sources
said other members of the GCC are interested in a similar accord.
The future of both Arab and U.S. relations with Iran are being discussed
during the current visit by Bahrain Emir Hamid Ben Issa Al Khalifa. The emir
met President George Bush on Monday in wake of the signing of a series of
agreements between Bahrain and Iran.
"I'm sure that America will do a great thing and move forward in all
fields for the stability and security mainly of my region, the Gulf region,"
the emir said. We have a long relationship that has lasted more than a 100
and something years and I think we'll keep this."
In August, the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act expires and the administration
appears divided over whether to renew the law in its current form. Some
officials said Washington must ease sanctions to allow U.S. companies to win
contracts for the development of Iranian and Libyan oil reserves.
Currently, the sources said, virtually all GCC countries with the
exception of the United Arab Emirates are interested in improving relations
with Iran. The UAE, which has a long-running territorial dispute with Iran,
wants to limit such relations to economic ties.
Kuwaiti Emir Jabber Ahmad Al Sabah discounted any GCC rapproachment with
Iran without the UAE's approval. But the emir said he supports an
improvement in relations between Teheran and Washington, terming this
as important to Gulf Arab as well as to Kuwaiti security.
At the same time, Israel has urged the United States to maintain
sanctions on Iran and stop the European Union from offering loans to
Teheran. The issue was raised during a meeting on Monday between Israeli
Finance Minister Silvan Shalom and U.S. National Security Adviser
Condoleezza Rice.
Wednesday, May 9, 2001
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