JEDDAH, 13 September 2004 — The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council yesterday denounced terrorist attacks in Iraq and reiterated the group’s support for efforts to restore security in the war-ravaged Arab country.
The GCC “denounces the acts of terror taking place in Iraq, including killing and kidnapping as well terrorizing of innocent people,” Kuwait’s Sheikh Muhammad Al-Sabah said opening a meeting of GCC foreign ministers here.
Sheikh Muhammad, who is the current chairman of the GCC Ministerial Council, called for all-out efforts in cooperation with international community to stamp out terrorism.
“The terrorist operations taking place in the region and the world at large demand our cooperation with the international community at all levels to eliminate this phenomenon, which has become a major danger,” he said.
Sheikh Muhammad said the GCC, which groups Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and the UAE, was taking part “in international efforts to establish security and stability” in Iraq.
The GCC reiterates its support for the independence and territorial integrity of Iraq, the Kuwaiti minister said. “We want to rescue Iraq from the vicious circle of violence fostered by extremist and terrorist groups,” he added.
The minister congratulated the Iraqi people on forming the National Council, in reference to an interim Parliament.
Sheikh Muhammad also blasted Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon for his “criminal plans and policies” against the Palestinians, saying these policies have resulted in the killing of innocent people, displacement of families, destruction of houses and assassination of Palestinian leaders.
“We reiterate our support for the Palestinian people and our commitment to the Arab peace plan,” the minister said and called for activating the role of the peace quartet, which includes the United States, Russia, the United Nations and European Union.
The GCC also called for international action to prevent Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians, remove the dividing wall, and provide compensation to the Palestinians suffering from the impact of the wall.
The ministers also called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and total Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories.
Sheikh Muhammad highlighted the GCC’s achievements in the economic sector and noted the recent pacts signed with India, Pakistan and China for strengthening economic and commercial cooperation.
Education was expected to figure high on the meeting’s agenda, one delegate said. GCC states want to “enhance educational systems to create competitiveness among Gulf graduates,” the delegate said, asking not be identified. “The process of change would have positive results on all fronts,” AFP news agency quoted the delegate as saying.
The Jeddah meeting is significant as it comes ahead of Arab foreign ministers’ meeting in Cairo and New York and in the backdrop of worsening security situation in Iraq.
