Indyk, Gulf foreign secretaries discuss means of countering Iranian threats
Gulf-USA, Politics, 6/24/1999

US Undersecretary of State for Near East affairs Martin Indyk said the US and the Gulf Cooperation Council states are concerned over the non-traditional armament programs in Iran and Iran's production of ballistic missiles.

At the conclusion of a "consultation" meeting held in Abu Dhabi with secretaries of the Foreign Ministries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Indyk stressed that the participants in the meeting discussed means of supporting the GCC to counter the Iranian threats and obstruct the armament programs carried out by Iran.

Indyk added that discussions held in the meeting were "fruitful and constructive" and covered all common issues between the US and the GCC member states, noting that discussions also dealt with Iran, Iraq, the Middle East peace process, the Indian-Pakistani conflict in Kashmir and the question of Kosovo, stressing that viewpoints were identical concerning debated issues.

Indyk said the participants will continue their consultations concerning preparation for the next meeting between the US and the GCC member states which will be held on the level of foreign ministers in New York next September. Indyk stressed the US position in support of the UAE in the question of the three islands in order to reach a peaceful solution to this matter.

Indyk said that discussions concerning Iraq dealt with the British -Dutch project on suspending sanctions imposed on Iraq and how to work collectively in support of this project as well as discussions of the US efforts to change the Iraqi government. Indyk called in this respect on the Arab states who eventually seek better situation for Iraq to reconsider their stances.

The US official said there is an intention to unify the ranks of the Iraqi opposition abroad, adding that the US backs this very intention.

Previous Stories:
  GCC: Israel obstructs peace   (6/23/1999)
  King Fahd backs all efforts for Gulf solidarity   (6/22/1999)
  Ruler of Kuwait confers with GCC secretary   (6/16/1999)
  Jamil El-Hujeilan: Gulf Cooperation Council position is unchanging on three disputed islands   (6/15/1999)

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