14 December 2008: Times of Oman
The Arab Gulf Cooperation Council states have the means to get over the global economic crisis, but that does not mean they should neglect its effects, said AGCC Secretary-General Abdulrahman Al Attiyah yesterday.
Action was called for by Attiyah, who told reporters at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, that AGCC states need to work unitedly towards a course of action that would limit any negative effects of the downturn.
Al Attiyah was also for extending Iraq an invitation to the AGCC as well as for further cooperation with the country.
AGCC states have carried out concrete steps towards promoting relations with Iraq and have already established diplomatic relations with it, he said.
He also called for improved and additional dialogue with Iran for protection of stability and peace in the region.
Addressing the Manama Dialogue US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said that Iraq should be embraced into the Arab fold and included in organisations such as the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council.
"Such a move will help to limit Iranian influence," he said.
"It is in the strategic interest of all to support Iraq's new government, especially when it came to limiting meddling from Iran, a country whose every move seems designed to create maximum anxiety in the international community," he added.
"Iraq wants to be your partner. And, given the challenges in the Gulf and the reality of Iran, you should wish to be their's," he said. "Regional engagement also means that Iraq should be included in regional forums for economic and security cooperation, and considered for membership in Middle Eastern organisations, such as the AGCC."
"Your interests and Iraq's are aligned on a number of different levels: In the fight against Al Qaeda and terrorism; in the desire to develop a vibrant and resilient economy, in efforts to bridge the sectarian divides in this part of the world; and, of course, in the necessity to limit Iranian influence and meddling nationally and regionally - meddling that has already cost far too many lives."
An Iranian delegation did not show up as expected yesterday at the forum.
Kazem Jalali, chairman of the Iranian parliament's foreign affairs committee, was to have delivered a speech, the director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies said.
John Chipman, who said he had confirmed the attendance of Jalali and two Iranian diplomats during a recent visit to Tehran, told participants of the no-show just before Jalali was due to speak.
