Thank you, Dr Chipman. Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Kingdom of Bahrain for this 5
th Manama Dialogue. As Dr Chipman mentioned, this year marks the 5
th year of the Manama Dialogue and the 50
th Anniversary of the IISS. I would like to add that this is also the 500
th year since the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian the First, attacked and was defeated in Venice.
I am delighted to see so many old friends as well as new faces. This year’s dialogue continues a tradition of being a premier regional security forum in the Middle East, and this would not be possible without the support and commitment of my dear friends, Dr John Chipman, the Director General, and Chief Executive, Professor François Heisbourg, the Chairman, and the rest of the IISS team.
Important timely themes will be addressed in the next two days, from piracy and regional maritime security to the impact of demographics and labour on security. I have no doubt that our discussions will give all of us new perspectives on the issues and new ways of thinking about possible solutions.
Even by the standards of recent times, 2008 has been a year of momentous events, and a year of new and evolving challenges to regional and international security and stability. Perhaps most visible has been the emerging economic and financial crisis, the true effects of which are only now becoming apparent. This is clearly no time for complacency. As world growth stalls and as countries seek to rebuild the strengths of their economies and financial institutions, the dynamics of regional and international security will clearly be significantly affected, in often unpredictable ways.
The crisis will undoubtedly have a major effect in developing countries, notably through the decline in global demand for resources and raw materials. We must never lose sight of the fact that security is intimately linked to development and to prosperity. We need to minimise, both in this region and beyond, the effect of the crisis on ordinary citizens, their aspirations, their jobs, their houses, and their quality of life. Only by maintaining these pillars of a decent life can we hope to ensure that the financial crisis does not evolve into a security crisis, whether here or elsewhere.
I believe that, mercifully, the GCC countries may be less impacted than others. Clearly no country will come out of this unscathed, but my belief is that, through the wise planning and investments of GCC leaderships, we may emerge less harmed than other parts of the world.
Ladies and gentlemen, next January we will see a new administration in Washington with the historic election of the Honourable Barack Obama. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Security of Defence, Dr Robert Gates, on his reappointment in the new administration. His leadership and expertise will be a true asset. I would also like to pay tribute to Secretary of State, Dr Condoleezza Rice, who I have thoroughly enjoyed working with throughout her tenure. I wish her all the best in her future endeavours, in academia or as a possible future NFL commissioner! I look forward to working with her successor, the accomplished upcoming Secretary of State, the Honourable Hillary Clinton.
This new administration will undoubtedly face new challenges and will tackle regional issues, most notably a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue, hand in hand and with the same vigour that it addresses the economic crisis.
All of us recognise that the role of the US in this region, particularly the Arabian Gulf, will be a key factor in its future security. In fact, this role needs to develop and strengthen into a real partnership based on sustained commitment from both sides. We must bear in mind that the US does not have a magic wand to solve all crises. In order to help them, we are convinced that there needs to be a genuine dialogue among nations, as well as greater regional multilateral cooperation and action.
One issue where this cooperation is indispensable is to enhance the existing mechanism and cooperation for the successful fight against terrorism. The recent reprehensible terror attacks in Mumbai are a poignant example of the need for all nations to work in tandem to bring to justice all terrorists. Whoever supports, facilitates or participates in financing, planning, preparing or commissioning terrorist acts is a terrorist. We also need to work together in countering radicalisation and the exploitation of young people by violent extremists.
Dear Colleagues, our firm conviction in the importance of dialogue and enhanced cooperation compelled us to propose, at the UN General Assembly last September, the establishment of a regional organisation in which all countries in the Middle East and North Africa region are members, without exception. Through this, they can address, among each other, how best to tackle the pressing challenges before them. This is an organisation in which countries that do not necessarily like or even recognise each other yet, sit together and address pressing issues. It is a forum within which the necessary agreements can be hammered out. It is an environment in which all key actors can interact frankly and openly, and in which they can hold one another to account for their actions and reactions.
Due to the depth and diversity of problems, we will face challenges in establishing such an organisation, and in persuading all states in the region to participate actively and in good faith. We will need the support of the international community in bringing all sides to the table. Crucially, the organisation must be – and must be seen to be – a genuinely Middle Eastern body in which Middle Eastern countries sit down to reach Middle Eastern solutions to Middle Eastern issues.
Dear Friends, since our 2007 Manama Dialogue, the Kingdom of Bahrain has continued to move forward with its strategic development and to put in place measures which we believe will leave us well placed to face any further challenges. While continuing to reform our labour market and development and modernise our education system, we have also published Bahrain’s Vision 2030, the blueprint for our future development and the framework within which we will position ourselves to meet global challenges through modernisation, diversification, and equipping all our people with the skills they need for the world of today and tomorrow. A more prosperous people, who enjoy all of life’s amenities, where their individual rights are protected, and where the fundamental principles of democracy, the rule of law, and economic freedom prevail, imply a more secure nation.
Distinguished Guests, far off threats are much closer to home than ever. As we continue working together to turn the tide and shape our policies and overall vision toward a safer and more secure world, we need to be innovative, inclusive, responsible, respectful, and strive to comprehend the long-term nature and repercussions of the problems before developing solutions that may only reap short-term benefits.
We are firmly committed to engaging in diplomacy and honing it to fit our time. However, if it does not bear fruit and fails, or is exploited for one side’s selfish gains, we should not hesitate one minute to become fighters and real combatants in order to safeguard the vital region. Thank you very much.
