The call to restore peace and security in the region, especially in the war-torn Gaza Strip, was made yesterday by Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nizar Obaid Madani.
“The US, which is the largest trade and investment partner of the Gulf bloc, has adopted policies full of flaws against the Gulf nations and the Middle East, while it has been extending all-out support to Israel,” said Madani at the US-Gulf Forum.
The forum mainly highlighted the implications for regional defense and security, which are uppermost on everyone’s minds at this time. Madani expressed hopes that the new US administration would reconsider American policies in the Middle East.
Former Saudi Ambassador to the US Prince Turki Al-Faisal, who is now the chairman of King Faisal Center for Research and Studies, and US Ambassador Ford Fraker, also addressed the three-day forum.
The Institute of Diplomatic Studies at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organized the event entitled “Issues and prospects for GCC-US relations under the administration of US President-elect Barack Obama” in cooperation with the Dubai-based Gulf Research Center.
Speaking on US policy and Gulf regional security, including Iraq and Iran, Prince Turki said, “Three wars have been fought in the Middle East during the last quarter of a century. The acquisition of nuclear weapons by one country in the region will lead to an arms race.”
He called on the new US administration to support peace initiatives of Arab countries. “The US should announce its intention of peace in the Middle East, free from weapons of mass destruction,” said Prince Turki, in an apparent reference to Israel and Iran.
Fraker, while delivering his remarks, said Obama would be making the Middle East a top priority. “The US will also continue to support Afghanistan,” said the American diplomat, who will be leaving the Kingdom for good within a week.
Speaking on his part, Abdulaziz O. Sager, GRC chairman, said that GCC-US relations have seen ups and downs recently with focus on important issues such as energy, trade and economic relations, countering terrorism, GCC internal reform, the situation in Iraq and the Iranian nuclear threat.
“In the light of our previous experience, these relations ought to be seriously re-evaluated with a broad examination of the priorities and direction in a way that serves the interests of both sides,” said Sager.
He added that the Gulf states were supportive of fighting terrorism through coordinated international efforts.
“However, a distinction should be made between terrorism and legitimate resistance against occupation,” said Sager.
He lamented that the Bush administration has successfully managed to tarnish the American image across the world including in the Gulf region.
