Ain-Al-Yaqeen - December 24, 2004

		December 24, 2004

THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE GCC DESCRIBES THE ACHIEVEMENTS.
A CONTINUOUS ENDEAVOUR TO STRENGTHEN THE BASES OF THE COUNCIL AND REALIZE THE ASPIRATIONS OF ITS PEOPLE.

The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries met in the capital of Bahrain for the two-day 25th GCC summit. The king of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa Al-Khalifa, announced to the media that the summit would be named after the late UAE leader Sheikh Zayed ibn Sultan Al-Nahayan who passed away last month. Bahrain presides over this year's summit.

"The late Sheikh Zayed was known for his belief in the unity and goal of the GCC since its establishment in Abu Dhabi in 1981," said the press statement given to the media. The statement also said that the late sheikh would always be remembered for his wisdom and humanitarian work.

The king's decision to name the meeting, "Zayed Summit" further implies the love and respect the people and leadership of Bahrain have for the late UAE leader who was among the founders and supporters of the GCC cause.

On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense And Aviation, led the Kingdom's delegation to the summit.

Leading the UAE delegation for the first time is Sheikh Khalifa Ibn Zayed Al-Nahayan who was chosen as successor to the late UAE leader. Also in the UAE delegation is the crown prince of Dubai Sheikh Muhammad ibn Rashed Al-Maktoum.

Vital economic topics such as GCC common market, monetary union and single currency will top the agenda of the GCC annual summit today, according to Abdul Rahman Al-Attiyah, secretary-general of the six-member group. Leaders are also expected to discuss the situation in Iraq and its effect on neighbouring GCC countries in addition to political, educational, security, and defense issues.

Saudi Arabia presented a report at the summit to discuss the future railway line that will link Saudi Arabia with neighboring Gulf countries.

Last year's summit which concluded in Kuwait discussed important issues in economy, energy, military cooperation, as well as other issues that concern GCC countries.

On the issue of occupied UAE islands of Abu Moussa, Greater and Lesser Tunbs, the GCC leaders described the meetings between the UAE and Iranian officials in this regard as positive, saying such deliberations would help boost bilateral relations and assist in maintaining security in the region.

The GCC Supreme Council last year expressed its firm position of support for the UAE and its sovereignty over its three islands and regional waters and airspace, considering that they are an integral part of the UAE.

The council praised the efforts of Saudi security forces in thwarting terror attacks in Makkah during Ramadan, as an attempt to spread fear and chaos in our society, the statement said.

On attempts by certain media outlets to mix Islam with terrorism, the council affirmed its refusal of such attempts, calling not to hold Islam or Muslims responsible for acts that are far from the spirit of the religion.

It affirmed its declared solidarity with the people of Iraq and the suffering that they were undergoing due to the security situation in that country, the communique said.

The council rejected the idea of dividing Iraq, stressing the need for the country to maintain its sovereignty, independence as well as non-interference in the nation's internal affairs, calling on Iraq to carry out the same ideals.

Addressing economic issues, the council last year reviewed progress in the customs union, which came into effect at the beginning of this year, and stressed the need to make all the relevant decisions to facilitate trade and remove obstacles.

The council also reviewed the joint GCC market, which was approved during the last summit and is to be implemented by 2007 at the latest, confirming that equal treatment will be provided to all GCC member states.

The council also approved a unified anti-dumping law, as well as compensation and protective measures.

The statute of a Gulf Standards and Specifications Authority, to be based in Riyadh was also approved. In the oil sector, the council expressed keen interest in stable global oil market and in maintaining a balance in supply and demand for suitable prices that will prove beneficial to both producers and consumers.

It underlined the need to step up work on the GCC power grid and instructed the ministers of transport and communications to conduct a feasibility study for the railway project to link all six member states.

Despite several summits held in the past, GCC countries have failed to finalize a draft that would enable all Gulf citizens to travel freely between all six member states. Currently citizens are obliged to produce their passports at entry points of GCC. Furthermore, no serious steps have been taken to unify the GCC currency.

The report mentioned the Kuwait Declaration Issued at 24th session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.

The Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), based on the sublime principles, goals and objectives of the GCC Charter and on the common bonds between its peoples; and

Conscious of the importance and the dangers of the current situation through which our Gulf and Arab regions are passing, and the rapid political changes taking place and the challenges that the situation poses; and

In completion of the statements, declarations, and resolutions issued at the previous meetings of the Supreme Council;

The Supreme Council, in its 24th session held in the State of Kuwait on 27-28 Shawwal 1424 AH / 21-22 December 2003, reviewed the collective process of the Council in various spheres, and conducted an in-depth analysis of the all the issues concerning the GCC States and its peoples in light of the developments taking place in the Arab and internationals arenas; and

While the Supreme Council expresses its appreciation of the executive steps taken by the Member States in line with the decision of the Supreme Council aimed at strengthening and reinforcing the existing relations between the Member States leading to economic integration among them, the Supreme Council asserts the following:

First: Importance of taking necessary decisions and practical steps to start the implementation of the comprehensive development strategy, which was approved during the 18th session in Abu Dhabi, and proceeding with the process of reforming the educational system and making it uniform in the Member States in accordance with the contents of the document presented by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is at the forefront of strategic projects and programs for the GCC States, and which strengthens its march and achieves the interests and goals of the State and its citizens. There is no doubt that the advanced education which keeps pace with the technical and scientific progress, is the mainstay of equipping the Gulf citizen with scientific and technical qualifications so that the Gulf citizens may participate in the sustainable and comprehensive economic and social development of the Member States.

Second: The Supreme Council emphasizes the importance of political stability and security, and considers it the strategic condition for realizing sustainable development in all the fields, and for serving the interests of the nations and the peoples. The Council supports all diplomatic and political efforts aimed at achieving security and stability in Iraq, and making available to the brotherly people of Iraq security, stability, and prosperity that they yearn for-thus making an Iraq which is a positive member of the international community and which builds its relations with the neighbouring States on the basis of International Laws and shows commitment to implement international obligations.

Third: The Supreme Council expressed its condemnation, denun-ciation, and rejection of the terrorist activities that target innocent lives, terrorize the peaceful, destroy buildings, and civil institutions. The Council reiterates that the perpetrators of such terrorist acts and sabotage that are in contradiction with the sublime teachings and principles of Islam are in effect, committing immoral and inhuman acts. By these acts, they aim at destroying the society and its political and social pillars, and at achieving their illegitimate ambitions and goals.

In this regard, the Supreme Council expresses its support for all the steps aimed at combating all forms of terrorism, drugs, and the menace of money laundering. The Council affirms the keenness of the GCC States to adopt all means to preserve peace and tranquillity in order to safeguard the lives and properties of the citizens, and to defend their accomplishments, thus embodying the principle of collective security.

Fourth: That the transaction of the GCC, on an equal footing, with political blocs and powers in a regionally and internationally effective manner, makes it incumbent upon the GCC that it interacts with the rapid and successive events and developments taking place in the Arab, regional, and international arenas, and take appropriate initiatives to contribute actively to strengthening its role in crystallizing and shaping the train of events through specific and clear Gulf stand.

Fifth: That there is an urgent need to activate the operational mechanisms of the GCC and its various committees and commis-sions in a manner that it raises its performance by quick execution of the Supreme Council's resolutions and recommendations.

Allah is Grantor of all Success.

In Jeddah, on 16th May 2004, the leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries on Sunday concluded their sixth consultation meeting at the Conferences Palace in Jeddah.

In a press statement following the close of the meeting, GCC Secretary General Abdulrahman Al-Atiyyah said that the Supreme Council of GCC countries issued directives to hold an extraordinary meeting of GCC labour ministers.

The leaders condemned terrorist acts carried out in Riyadh, Jeddah, Yanbu and other Saudi cites, which resulted in the death and suffering of innocent people. They stressed their stance in support of the Kingdom and the firm measures Saudi authorities have taken to confront the deviant, extremist group. They praised the strength and efficiency of enhanced security efforts in the Kingdom.

The leaders stressed that terrorist acts have no support or place in religion, and wholly contradict the teachings of Islam. They denounced all forms of extremism, violence and terrorism. They noted that terrorism is an international phenomenon, which threatens the security and stability of international community, and called for intensive international efforts to combat and eradicate terrorist groups. In this regard, they welcomed the recent signing of a GCC agreement in Kuwait on cooperation to combat terrorism.

The leaders condemned Israel's pursuit of state terrorism against the Palestinian leadership and people, and urged the international community to force Israel to immediately cease the demolition of Palestinian houses.

The GCC leaders stressed that the initiative of Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, adopted at the Arab Summit in Beirut, and the bases of the Road Map form the optimal solution for achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The Supreme Council called on the United States of America and the International Quartet Committee to implement the Road Map peace plan.

On Iraq, the leaders expressed their extreme concern about the continual deterioration of security and strongly denounced the inhuman, criminal treatment carried out by the occupying forces against Iraqi prisoners. They also condemned acts of terrorism carried out in Iraq. They emphasized the importance of the imminent transference of authority to an Iraqi, representative government, the equality of all people before the law, the necessity of Iraq's independence and the preservation of Iraq's territorial integrity. They stressed the importance of the United Nations role in Iraq, emphasising that it should be pivotal.

The leaders regretted the decision of the United States to impose economic sanctions against Syria, and praised the responsive Syrian position. They expressed their hope that the United States would review this decision, and called for the pursuit of a positive and constructive dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues in the service of mutual interests.

On the current Arab situation, the Supreme Council affirmed the necessity of achieving Arab solidarity, preserving Arab unity and enhancing joint Arab action.

The leaders thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz, the Crown Prince and the Saudi Government and people for their warm welcome and generous hospitality.

The Co-operation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, more commonly known as the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), was founded on 22 Rajab 1401 AH (25th May, 1981), when the kings and princes of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates signed the new organization's constitution.

The constitution of the GCC requires the organization to provide "the means for realizing co-ordination, integration and co-operation" in economic, social and cultural affairs. Specifically, the GCC aims:

to achieve co-ordination, integration and close ties leading to unity between the member states

to deepen the ties, relations and all aspects of co-operation between the peoples of the region

to adopt similar systems and laws in economics and financial affairs; commercial, customs and transportation affairs; education and cultural affairs; social and health affairs; communication, informational, political, legislative and administrative affairs to encourage progress in the sciences and technologies involved in industry, mining, agriculture, water and animal resources,

and to establish scientific research centers and to undertake joint projects.

The structure of the organization consists of the Supreme Council, the Ministerial Council and the Secretariat General.

The Supreme Council (the highest authority of the GCC) comprises the heads of state of the six member countries. The Supreme Council meets once a year in ordinary session. Emergency sessions can be convened at any time by the heads of any two member states. The chairmanship of the Council is held by each member state in turn. Resolutions are carried by majority vote. The Supreme Council is responsible for determining the overall policy of the GCC and for ratifying recommendations presented to it by the Ministerial Council or the Secretariat General.

The Ministerial Council comprises the Foreign Ministers of the six member countries. The Ministerial Council meets once every three months in ordinary session. Emergency sessions can be convened at any time by the Foreign Ministers of any two member states. The Ministerial Council draws up policies and makes recommendations on means of developing co-operation and co-ordination amongst member states in the economic, social and cultural spheres.

The Secretariat General prepares reports, studies, accounts and budgets for the GCC. It drafts rules and regulations and is charged with the responsibility of assisting member states in the implementation of decisions taken by the Supreme and Ministerial Councils. The Secretary General is appointed for a three-year period (renewable) by the Supreme Council on the recommendation of the Ministerial Council.

The Secretariat is based in the city of Riyadh. The GCC headquarters is located in the Diplomatic Quarter, where a substantial complex, financed by a gift from King Fahd, has been built to meet the Secretariat's present and future needs. The GCC represents a bold move towards regional integration. The speed of its progress has been remarkable, aided by the homogeneity of religious commitment and common economic, social and cultural interests. In the past, there have been a number of grandiose schemes to unite parts of the Arab world, all of which have foundered. The GCC, more modest in ambition, has shown how, with the commitment of heads of state, a well-planned and rational program of integration is possible, given time to resolve the inevitable problems.