December 24, 2003

Editor's Note:

GulfWire Publisher Dr. John Duke Anthony is presently in the GCC region to attend the 24th annual GCC Summit in Kuwait City, Kuwait.  A report on his observations and analyses of the summit's deliberations and its results, as well as his meetings with the summiteers, will be forthcoming in GulfWire.

GCC Leaders Approve Anti-Terror Agreement
..The Gulf Cooperation Council leaders have approved a pact to combat terror, adopted steps to speed up economic integration and welcomed US plans to transfer power to the Iraqis. At the conclusion of the 24th GCC summit in Kuwait City [Dec. 22], the leaders said the pact would coordinate the efforts of member states to fight terror following a spate of bomb attacks in Saudi Arabia.. [more]

GCC summit in Kuwait concludes meetings, approves ''anti-terrorism'' agreement
In Kuwait, leaders of the six Gulf Arab states approved a pact to coordinate efforts in combating "terror" following a series of deadly bomb attacks in the Saudi kingdom.  The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), wrapping up a two-day annual summit, entrusted their ministers of interior to sign the joint agreement to fight "terrorism" at a later date.  [more]

Gulf Arabs approve anti-terror pact, back Iraqi sovereignty transfer plan
The six Gulf states also stressed importance of political and security stability in the region, voicing support for diplomatic and political efforts aimed at achieving stability in Iraq and turning it into a positive member in the world community.   They praised the US-devised plan on transferring authorities to the Iraqi people and urged the United Nations to play an active role in rebuilding the war-shattered country.  The GCC "expressed contentment with the United States' recent policies, welcoming what was issued by the Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) surrounding the agreement with the Coalition Forces insetting a time-frame for transferring power and authority to the Iraqi side," said the summit's communique.  "This is viewed as the best step for the Iraqi people to manage their affairs and define their future, particularly since the proposed program caters to both Arab and international needs," it said.  In an agreement signed between US overseer in Iraq Paul Bremer and the then Iraqi Governing Council president Jalal Talabani in mid-November, Washington announced a new plan which envisions the end of occupation in June 2004 once a provisional Iraqi government is in place.  The Gulf Arab leaders called on the United Nations, which has been sidelined in the rebuilding process in Iraq following the US-led war that toppled Saddam Hussein's regime in April, to play amore active part in the country. "The United Nations must play a vital role in Iraq, as a way to help allow the Iraqi people to decide their political fate at the quickest time possible," the communique said.  [more]

Gulf summit did not discuss Iraqi debt pending Baker visit
A two-day Gulf Arab summit which ended here Monday did not discuss the billions of dollars in debt owed by Iraq to the oil-rich alliance pending talks with US envoy James Baker, Kuwait's foreign minister said. "The issue of the Iraqi debt was not discussed by the summit because there was no formal Iraqi request for that," Sheikh Mohammad al-Sabah told a joint news conference with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) chief Abdulrahman al-Attiya.  "We are waiting for Baker's visit to discuss the issue. The Gulf Arab states are a major creditor of Iraq," the minister added after the conclusion of the summit. He did not say when Baker, US President George W. Bush's special envoy on Iraq's debt, would be visiting the region.  [more]

GCC approves anti-terror pact
Arab Gulf leaders ended a summit here yesterday agreeing to form a pact to combat terrorism. The GCC leaders also praised Washington for planning to transfer power to Iraqis by mid-2004.  [more]

GCC against division of Iraq
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has strongly opposed any move to divide the war-torn Iraq and urged the United Nations to play a "vital role to help the Iraqi people to decide their political fate at the quickest possible time." "The GCC refuses the idea of dividing Iraq and stressed the need for the country to 'maintain its sovereignty and independence,' while calling for "non-interference in Iraq's internal affairs," the final communiqué of the GCC summit said. [more]

GCC revises controversial textbooks
Gulf Arab leaders meeting in Kuwait have agreed to revise school textbooks which Washington claims fuel anti-Christian and anti-Jewish sentiments. [more]
Also:
Reading the final communique, al-Attiyah said the summit discussed common steps to "develop education curricula" according to studies carried out since last year. He did not say if this meant revising textbooks to eliminate words that sow hatred for Jews and Christians and encourage religious intolerance. Kuwaiti liberals have been calling for this reform for years. Saudi columnists joined them after 15 of the 19 hijackers involved in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the United States were found to be Saudi. Ayed al-Manna, an analyst, said he believed the leaders discussed reform, including how Islam is taught, but that they were "cautious" when it came to commenting publicly on such a sensitive topic. Ali al-Tarrah, a staunch Kuwaiti liberal, told The Associated Press some words like "jihad (holy war)" and "infidel" are used in school textbooks without giving correct or alternate definitions. "Why don't we explain jihad as the effort to improve our countries instead of (just) fighting against non-Muslims .. and why should we tell our students that infidels are those who are not Muslim," he said. "We want religion school books to help.. build up morals and good behavior, not to instigate against other religions and cultures."  [more]
GCC Leaders 'To Adopt' Education Reform Charter
..Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad al-Sabah had said before the beginning of the summit that the GCC leaders are expected to approve a charter for educational reforms with the aim of "reformulating school curricula" in the member states. "This will be an essential factor to prevent deviancy and stop our children from falling prey to destructive ideologies espoused by parties who do not wish security and stability for us," the minister said. "Certain (domestic) groups, with foreign connections, which have ideas based on a corrupt ideology, aim at destabilizing.. our countries," he added.  [more]

Leaders firm in support of UAE sovereignty over isles
On the issue of occupied UAE islands of Abu Mousa, Greater and Lesser Tunbs, the GCC leaders described the meetings between the UAE and Iranian officials in this regard as positive, saying such deliberations would help boost bilateral relations and assist in maintaining security in the region.  
The GCC Supreme Council expressed its firm position of support for the UAE and its sovereignty over its three islands and regional waters and airspace, considering that they are an integral part of the UAE.  
It directed the ministerial council to continue pursuing all peaceful means that would lead to restoring the right of the UAE on the three islands.  [more]

Gulf states adopt steps to speed up unity
Leaders of the oil-rich Gulf Arab states have concluded a two-day annual summit by adopting a number of decisions aimed at accelerating the pace of their economic integration. They approved legislation to outlaw dumping practices, a key obstacle to the smooth implementation of the customs union launched in January 2003, and reaffirmed their commitment to set up a monetary union and a single currency on time. The six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states decided in 2001 to establish the monetary union in 2005, the single currency in 2010, and the common market before the end of 2007.   [more]

GCC Okays Anti-terror Pact -- Hails Steps to Transfer Power to Iraqis -- Asks Israel to Scrap WMDs
The GCC leaders condemned Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's escalation of violence against the Palestinians and accused him of trying to abort the US-backed road map plan for Middle East peace. They also urged Israel and the international community to rid the Middle East of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). The call follows Libya's declaration Friday to abandon its weapons of mass destruction and open its doors to international weapons inspectors.  [more]

Photo Credits:  QNA, SPA, WAM,