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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