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GCC appears split over Iran

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Monday, May 10, 1999

NICOSIA [MENL] -- The Gulf Cooperation Council ended its summit in Jeddah apparently divided over Iran's diplomatic offensive in the Arab world.

GCC sources said countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia favor Teheran's efforts to improve relations with Arab states. Iranian President Mohammed Khatami met last week with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz and will embark on his first Arab tour later this week.

But the United Arab Emirates wants any improvement of relations with Iran linked to Teheran's agreement to start talks on the future of three strategic Gulf islands it seized in 1971. Over the last two years, Iran has begun construction on the islands of Abu Mussa and Greater and Lesser Tunbs.

"Iran thinks that by playing for time it can normalize its ties with the Gulf states without taking a single step its occupation," the Abu Dhabi-based Al Khaleej newspaper said.

The leaders of the six-member GCC ended their summit on Monday. They refused to hold a news conference and GCC representatives did not speak to reporters.

Instead, GCC secretary-general Jamil Al-Hujailan distributed a statement to reporters in Jedda, saying, "The leaders examined quesions concerning the Gulf Cooperation Council nations and reaffirmed their consistent policy on plans for cooperation and solidarity."

On another issue, Iran has rejected Turkish charges that Teheran has become involved in a flap over an Islamic deputy who has refused to remove her religious headdress so she can be sworn in parliament. Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi told the Islamic Republic News Agency, "What is going on in Turkey has nothing to do with Iran and we hope that the Turkish government will realistically evaluate its internal problems and avoid blaming others for its problems."

Kharazi said Iran-Turkish relations are based on "principles of good neighborly relations, mutual respect and non-interference in the affairs of each other."

Monday, May 10, 1999


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