Report: Al-Ghardaqa meeting commits to Iraq's unity
Regional, Politics, 1/5/1999

The Lebanese daily al-Safir quoted high-ranking Arab diplomatic sources as saying that the al-Ghardaqa meeting which was held two days ago in Egypt to study the Arab position concerning the Iraqi crisis, had concluded three Arab principles which will be on top of the agenda of the Arab ministerial meeting due to be held in Cairo on January 24.

The sources said the three principles are: agreement to oppose military action against Iraq; commitment to the unity of the Iraqi people and territories and not to interfere in its internal affairs; and agreement that the Iraqi people are the ones who have the right to decide their country's fate and future.

The sources added that Syria is in favor of lifting the economic sanctions imposed on Iraq. The sources explained that the meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, adding that Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdullah Bajmal asked to take part in the meeting to get acquainted with the situation concerning Iraq and preparations for the Cairo meeting. The sources continued that the presence of Omani Foreign Minister Youssef Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah was marginal.

Replying to a question, the Arab diplomatic sources ruled out that the Cairo meeting on January 24 would approve the convening of an emergency Arab summit "due to the Gulf objections to conveying such a summit in the meantime."

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