ABU DHABI — The oil-rich Gulf states are undecided over how or whether to confront the threat of a nuclear Iran. Large Shi'ite populations and weak militaries have led to growing anxiety over Teheran's growing regional clout. And the lack of resolve has culminated in the first-ever invitation to Iran to attend a Gulf summit.
Gulf sources said the Iranian issue has pitted Gulf Cooperation Council leaders who urge
reconciliation with Teheran against those who advocate a military buildup in
an effort to deter the Shi'ite state. They said the Iranian nuclear threat
would lead the agenda of the six GCC states during their summit in the
Qatari capital of Doha, which began Monday.
Still, the GCC has sought to avoid a conflict with Iran. For the first
time, the Gulf Arab leaders invited Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to
attend the GCC summit, Middle East Newsline reported.
"We hope that the Iranian president carries an initiative to the council
regarding assurances on the nuclear program," Kuwaiti Foreign Minister
Mohammed Al Sabah said. "The International Atomic Energy Agency has not
given Iran a clean bill of health. Doubts are not eliminated overnight."
The sources said Saudi Arabia has led the GCC in advocating the
formation of a defense alliance to counter the Iranian threat. In contrast,
Qatar has been urging the GCC for reconciliation in an effort to avoid an
Iranian attack on crude oil and natural gas facilities.
Bahrain and Kuwait were said to support the Saudi proposal to increase
military cooperation. Under Riyad's plan, the GCC would renew the Peninsula
Shield regional force, coordinate missile defense and other strategic assets
and establish a regional defense industry.
Bahrain and Kuwait have been particularly worried over what officials
determined was Iranian efforts to incite their large Shi'ite communities.
Bahrain has been engaged in nightly battles with Shi'ite rioters around
Manama.
"We'll never succumb to conspiracies," Bahraini Prime Minister Khalifa
Bin Salman Al Khalifa said. "We are all equal citizens tied to this kingdom
by a powerful sense of loyalty where there should be no room for
factionalism."
