June 17, 2005

THE GULF CONSULTATIVE MEETING REVIEWS IN RIYADH BILATERAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES. THE SUMMIT STRESSES ITS SUPPORT TO A JUST PALESTINIAN SOLUTION, THE SOVEREIGNTY OF IRAQ, ITS UNITY AND NON-INTERFERENCE IN ITS DOMESTIC AFFAIRS. THE CONSULTATIVE SUMMIT CALLS FOR UNITING RANKS IN LEBANON, THE UAE'S RIGHT IN THE THREE ISLANDS AND COMBATING TERRORISM. THE GCC'S MINISTERS OF INTERIOR CALL FOR INTENSIFYING REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT TERRORISM. The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s Arab states concluded at Al-Diriyyah Palace their 7th consultative meeting. The leaders had lunch with Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard. The Crown Prince bade farewell at the palace to Bahrain's King Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifah, Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifah Al Thani; President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifah Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, Omani Deputy Prime Minister for cabinet affairs Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Saeed and Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and wished them and their delegations a happy journey. They were also seen off by Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General and GCC's Secretary General Abdul Rahman Ibn Hamad Al-Atiyyah. Following the meeting, the GCC's Secretary General issued a press statement in which the leaders expressed their best wishes of good health for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz. They also congratulated Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah on his recovery from the surgery which he has recently undergone and wished him continual good health. On the latest developments in the Palestinian territories and the Middle East peace process, the GCC leaders affirmed their support for the efforts of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to resume negotiations leading to the set up of an independent Palestinian state and the achievement of security and stability for the Palestinian people. They emphasized the necessity of regaining all Arab occupied territories to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. As regards the situation in Iraq, the leaders expressed their support for Iraq and the political process aiming to preserve its sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-intervention in its internal affairs and they called on other parties to pursue the same track. On the latest developments in Lebanon, the leaders stressed the necessity of uniting the Lebanese ranks and their keenness on Lebanon's security, stability and prosperity. Regarding relations with Iran, the leaders affirmed their fundamental positions on the right of the United Arab Emirates to the occupied three islands, calling on Iran to solve the dispute either through direct negotiations or referring it to the International Court of Justice. With regard to terrorism, the GCC Supreme Council emphasized the importance of combating this destructive phenomenon by all means, calling on the international community to effectively cooperate to eradicate this destructive plight. On the process of development and modernization, the leaders stressed their commitment to Manama Declaration issued by Zayed Summit in Bahrain affirming that reform should emanate from Arab and Islamic civilization heritage and the national entity and history of GCC's countries and their peoples. `As for other topics, the leaders expressed their satisfaction over their achievements in all cooperation fields and stressed their proceeding on the track of cooperation and integration for the interest and prosperity of their peoples. They also affirmed that the Council is a strategic option of the Gulf peoples. The leaders expressed their appreciation of and thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, the Saudi government and people for the warm welcome and generous hospitality. Bahrain's King Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifah, Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifah Al Thani; President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifah Bin Zayed Al Nahayan and Omani Deputy Prime Minister for cabinet affairs Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Saeed made statements upon arrival in Riyadh to attend the 7th consultative meeting of the leaders of The Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s countries. In the arrival statements, they expressed happiness for attending the meeting and said the meeting will bolster joint efforts and relations among peoples of the region's countries. King Hamad, Chairman of the current GCC Supreme Council's session, presided over the Seventh GCC consultative meeting. In his opening speech he welcomed leaders to the bi-annual talks hosted by Saudi Arabia, wishing Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud, a speedy recovery. He praised strenuous and diverse efforts made by Saudi Arabia to push forward GCC co-operation, affirming the keenness of GCC states to realise the aspirations of their peoples and ensure them welfare and prosperity through similar consultative gatherings. During the meeting, the leaders also discussed latest regional and global developments. The leaders reviewed a report by Secretary-General Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah on GCC achievements since the 25th Summit was held in Manama last December. They also backed efforts by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to resume negotiations for an independent state and the achievement of security and stability for the Palestinians. King Hamad urged strong GCC unity to confront looming economic, political and security challenges. He made his remarks on arrival at the Seventh Consultative Summit of GCC leaders in his capacity as Supreme Council President. This meeting is very important to map out strategy for coping with such challenges at regional and international level, he said. Bahrain fully supports further GCC integration to strengthen the concept of GCC citizenship, said the King. Bahrain is also keen to fulfil a role which reflects its intention to enhance collective work to meet needs of the next development stage, he said. Earlier, King Hamad expressed pleasure at holding the meeting in Saudi Arabia, hosted by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Abdullah. He was greeted on arrival by Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud,Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General Riyadh Governor Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud and other top officials. Upon return to Bahrain the King sent a cable to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, thanking him for his warm hospitality. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, had received leaders of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s countries who arrived in Riyadh to attend the 7th consultative meeting of the leaders of GCC countries. The crown prince welcomed them and wished success to their meeting. The audience was attended by Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. Gulf Cooperation Council leaders left Riyadh after they participated in the 7th consultative meeting. The leaders were Bahrain's King Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifah, Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifah Al Thani; President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifah Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Omani Deputy Prime Minister for cabinet affairs Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Saeed. At Riyadh Air Base, they were seen off by Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, a number of princes, ministers and high-ranking officials. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister pointed out that the international changes should be confronted by an internal strength and firmness within the framework of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s Arab states. In a press conference at the end of the GCC leaders' consultative meeting in Riyadh, he said that the meeting focused on situations among member states and the results will be seen in the next official summit. He noted that Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard has submitted proposals to the previous periodical Summit and the GCC General Secretariat has been working within this framework and many of them have been achieved. Prince Saud indicated that information on the result of the recent tour of the Crown Prince has previously reached the leaders since the Crown Prince's return to the Kingdom. As for terrorism, Prince Saud noted that an agreement has been resulted from official meetings and the agreement has been implemented among member states, adding that the concerned organs have been performing their duties within this framework and there has been full cooperation. With regard to the settlement among GCC member states over the economic agreement signed with other countries, he said the matter will be discussed in the next meeting. The Financial and Administrative Committee will hold a meeting to finalize the agreement that has been reached, he added. Replying to a question on the health of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Prince Saud said, '' Praise be to Almighty Allah, his condition has been stable and doctors have reassured us about his health''. Prince Saud wished the monarch a quick recovery. On the other hand Gulf Cooperation Council Ministers of Interior started in Riyadh their 6th consultative meeting. The Saudi delegation was led by Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior. At the outset of the meeting, Lieutenant General Sheikh Rashid Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa prayed for the good health of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz as well as the success of the surgery conducted to Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait. He also thanked Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, for the establishment of an international anti-terrorism center and added that fighting terrorism is an obligation of all GCC States. He highlighted the importance of this annual meeting, saying it gives a precious chance for GCC interior ministers to exchange views about security-related developments and issues. He also underlined the security measures initiated by the GCC states to avert terror threats, calling for the activation of counter-terrorism efforts through boosting official and non-government firms' social action and through drawing suitable legislations. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, for his part, reassured the ministers that the health condition of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, was continuously improving, and also voiced congratulations for the leadership, people and government of Kuwait for the success of the Emir's surgery. He added that this meeting comes amid extraordinary security situations in which we faced aggressive attacks against Islam and unfortunately, these enemies were able to poison the thoughts of some of the people and to use them for killing. However, the Saudi Security men were able to crush the misled and to prevent the occurrence of the worst. Prince Naif stated that terrorism is an international phenomenon and urged the GCC mates to come out as leading countries in the fight against terrorists. We should also stretch arms for those who want to cooperate with us, he said. Also addressing the gathering, GCC Secretary General Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah prayed for the good health of the Saudi Monarch as well as the success of the surgery of the Emir of Kuwait. Then the ministers started a closed-door session, discussing issues concerning security cooperation among GCC member states. The open-door meeting was attended by a number of senior officials from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior, held a banquet in honor of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministers of Interior participating in the 6th consultative meeting. The banquet was attended by the Saudi official delegation. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministers of Interior left here today after having participated in the 6th consultative meeting. The Ministers were from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates. At Riyadh Airbase, they were seen off by Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz and senior officials. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister, said last night that the 6th consultative meeting of the interior ministers of the Arab Gulf Cooperation council's (GCC) countries, held in Riyadh, was 'transparent' and its discussions were 'very clear and serious.' At the end of the meeting, Prince Naif told reporters that the views were identical on many issues such as organization of communication and joint work. Answering a question about reports of handing over 30 wanted Saudis from Syria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he said "the reporters were wrong in conveying this information as they had asked me 'are those wanted delivered from Syria?' and I had replied 'I do not know, may be'. "The correction is that I had not mentioned Syria," Prince Naif noted. As regards the reality of arresting of 137 Saudis in Syria, Prince Naif said that "we do not know this but we are in touch." He added that we are hearing in the news about the existence of Saudis in Iraq but nothing has been conveyed from official bodies. Replying to another question if the Kingdom receives cooperation from its neighboring countries as the Kingdom prevented occurrence of many terrorist attacks in their territories, Prince Naif replied that we have found cooperation particularly from the GCC countries, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Syria, Morocco and the majority of world countries but we are looking forward to more cooperation.