Iran criticizes statement of Arab League council session
Iran-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 9/15/1999

Iran has criticized what has been said in the statement of the Arab League council about the three Arab Gulf islands disputed between Iran and the UAE.

In this respect, the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Hameed Rida Asifi, expressed in a statement on Tuesday his regret for this statement and described it as in contradiction to historical facts in the region and the spirit of Islamic brotherhood.

The spokesman explained that such statements signifies lack of attention to regional historical facts, a matter which and will bear nothing but escalation of misunderstandings. Asifi asserted Iran's ownership of the three islands.

Asifi added, "These islands are an integrated part of the Iranian territories," saying that carrying out military maneuvers in the Iranian territories does not only constitute a threat to the interests of the countries of the region but also undermines security and stability in this sensitive and strategic region.

Asifi said that the policy of eliminating tension and building confidence with the neighboring states as well as with the Arab states is considered one of the most important policies for Iran and that Iran, under the spirit of fraternity and Islam as well as mutual understanding, is ready to strengthen its ties with these states.

He added that the Arab League member states should have, instead of releasing these statement, encourage the UAE to hold bilateral talks with Iran in order to eliminate the misunderstanding arising between the two countries according to the memorandum of 1971.

Previous Stories:
  On the three UAE islands   (9/14/1999)
  UAE expresses readiness for dialogue with Iran over islands   (8/31/1999)
  Iran expresses readiness to negotiate with UAE   (7/19/1999)

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