GCC: Occupation of Gulf islands the only obstacle before improving Gulf-Iranian relations
Gulf, Politics, 4/21/1999

The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) told the London-based al-Hayat daily that the consultative meeting for leaders of the GCC states which will be held in Riyadh in the first half of May "will be free from protocols and will be convened for one day without a schedule, and they will debate matters they find necessary to debate under the current conditions."

After his meeting on Tuesday in Doha with Qatar's deputy ruler, Crown Prince Sheikh Jasem Bin Hamad al-Thani, he said that the meeting "will discuss the recession in oil prices," which made the GCC states vulnerable to difficult situations.

He welcomed the positive developments in the Gulf-Iranian relations. He added, "We welcome any indicator that implies a positive development and good neighborhood between any of the GCC member states and Iran."

He asserted, "The only obstacle that hinders what we aspire to in Iran - GCC relations is the occupation of the three UAE islands." He stressed that these islands, claimed by both Iran and the UAE, are the property of the UAE.

He noted that the progress in Saudi-Iranian relations "is a good matter, hopefully it will be an introduction to settle all suspended matters between the GCC member states and Iran."

Previous Stories:
  Gulf summit to be held shortly   (4/20/1999)
  Emir of Kuwait confers with GCC secretary on leaders coming meeting   (4/19/1999)
  Semi-annual summit for the Gulf states   (4/6/1999)

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