GCC Condemns Iraq's Half-Hearted Apology to Kuwait, Approves the GCC's Customs Union

22/12/2002| IslamWeb

The annual year-end summit of the six Gulf Arab states is concluded in Doha Sunday condemning Iraq's half-hearted apology to Kuwait on the 7th of December describing it as an incitement of hatred and division because it contain language despiteful of the Kuwaiti leadership and condoning recent terrorist acts in the Emirate-action strongly condemned by the international community.

Saddam apologized to the Kuwaiti people over the 1990 invasion of their country, but accused the emirate's rulers of plotting with the United States against Baghdad.

The GCC leaders welcomed Iraq's acceptance of UN Security Council resolution 1441 which brought UN arms inspectors back to the country after a 4-year period of absence calling on Baghdad to further cooperate with the UN inspectors in a manner that would avert war and save the people of Iraq from further suffering.

The GCC leaders also approved steps taken by the general secretariat to implement the GCC customs union.

The alliance has a combined oil output of about 13 million barrels daily, and more than 50 percent of the world's proven crude reserves.

The final communiqué reiterated GCC countries' long-standing policies in support of the UAE in its standoff with Iraq over the sovereignty over 3 Gulf islands. They also voiced support for the Afghan government under the leadership of president Hamid Karzai.

The GCC leaders in a final communiqué read out at the closing session by the GCC secretary general Mr. Abdul Rehman Al-Attiya also condemned Israeli practices against the Palestinians and called on the international community to intervene in order to protect the Palestinian population.

Only outgoing Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) chairman Oman and host Qatar were represented at head of state level during the two-day meeting.

The boycott is being led by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, whose country's uneasy relations with Qatar have been further strained by comments deemed offensive to the kingdom on Doha-based Al Jazeera, the satellite channel which has upset all the Gulf states with its no-holds barred debates.

Riyadh's chief diplomat led the Saudi delegation, like those of Kuwait and Bahrain, while the United Arab Emirates was represented by Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashed al-Maktoum, who is both vice president and prime minister.

Foreign ministers of the six-nation alliance met behind closed doors at the Doha Sheraton and under the chairmanship of Qatari Foreign Minister, SH Hamad Ben Jassim Ben Jabor Al-Thani, Friday when they finalized the agenda of the summit.

PHOTO CAPTION

HH the Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, at the opening of the GCC summit meeting in Doha yesterday. It was also attended by HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Jassem bin Hamad al-Thani, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, and several ministers