Gulf-state summit talks over ties with Iran
By Alexandra Pironti
DUBAI (DPA): The Gulf Arab states have been improving relations with their neighbor and former foe Iran. Their efforts have been boosted by the democratic changes initiated by Iran's president, Mohammad Khatami.
But, as six Gulf Arab leaders were meeting last Saturday in Muscat, Oman, to discuss these ties, Iran was in the grip of a power struggle that could jeopardize the reforms and put an end to international hopes of rebuilding ties with the Islamic Republic.
A hardline crackdown that has shut down 16 reformist newspapers in Iran is the latest move by the conservative clergy to try to undermine the pro-democracy reforms. The newspapers have been championing the reforms.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprises Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. Sources close to the GCC said Iran was at the top of the agenda of last Saturday's meeting.
GCC relations with Teheran have dramatically improved since Khatami took office almost three years ago.
Two Iranian visits to Saudi Arabia, one of the most influential Arab countries, lent momentum to relations between the Iran and the Gulf countries: Khatami's ground-breaking visit last year and a current trip by Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani.
Shamkhani is the highest Iranian military official to visit the kingdom in more than two decades.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are expected soon to sign a cooperation agreement to fight crime and drug trafficking.
Khatami's foreign policy has been aimed at improving relations with its neighbors and the West.
The 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran, the principles of which are safeguarded by the hardliners, soured relations between Teheran and the outside world. The oil-rich Arab Gulf states were then described by the Iranian regime as corrupt monarchies.
Khatami's government is still facing two major obstacles in efforts to improve relations with its Arab neighbors: a territorial dispute with the UAE over three strategic islands in the Gulf and the presence of U.S. forces in the region.
Iran wants U.S. forces to leave the Gulf so it can create a regional security pact with Arab states.
But despite these obstacles, Khatami has been able to reduce the mistrust created between Iran and its neighbors at the beginning of the revolution. Now governments in the region no longer see Iran as a regional threat.
Last Saturday's summit reviewed, among other things, the initial report of a GCC tripartite committee, which was formed to help resolve the territorial dispute between Iran and the UAE. The committee comprises Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The Muscat summit proper also discussed the issue. The GCC is united in backing UAE sovereignty.
The GCC summit was also expected to discuss a proposal for an Arab summit -- strongly advocated by the UAE and Oman -- and the stalled Middle East peace process.