ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates has called on Gulf Cooperation
Council states to modernize their security agencies.
Kuwait's Abdullah Al Shayji, a professor at Kuwait University, warned
that GCC states could not play a role in Iraq because they were too weak. Al
Shayji said Iran has ignored the concerns of GCC states.
GCC secretary-general Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad Al Attiyah acknowledged
Gulf Arab weakness. Al Attiyah said the Gulf region faces greater dangers
than those before the U.S. war in Iraq in 2003.
UAE Interior Minister Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has called on the five
other GCC states to bolster their security services to confront internal and
external threats, Middle East Newsline reported. Saif told a Gulf security conference in Abu Dhabi that
Gulf Arab security agencies must reorganize and develop advanced
systems and training to keep pace with other government departments.
"However, the security aspect has tended to lag behind the progress made
in other government sectors," the UAE interior minister said on March 5.
"Therefore, there is a dire need to focus on the development of security
organizations and apparatus to match the qualitative progress achieved by
other state entities, both public and private."
In an address to the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research,
Saif said GCC security agencies must draft a strategy that addresses a range
of threats. The interior minister cited the need for modern technology and
training to battle the growing capabilities of insurgents and criminals.
"Finally, new and modern concepts must be adopted in the field of
security by applying advanced techniques and capabilities," Saif said. "One
of the challenges facing security organizations is the drawing up of
strategies, mechanisms and goals as well as the enhancement of
organizational structures that would provide a clearer vision and approach
at different leadership, administrative and functional levels."
"The primary challenge within the GCC countries is the struggle against
terrorism and extremism," Al Attiyah said. "The GCC countries have followed
a comprehensive strategy for ideological confrontation, which has led to
positive results."
