GCC SUMMIT GETS UNDER WAY IN ABU DHABI

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 005079 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/17/2010 TAGS: PREL PTER GCC ECON KPAL KNNP IZ IR AE SUBJECT: GCC SUMMIT GETS UNDER WAY IN ABU DHABI REF: ABU DHABI 5038 Classified By: CDA MARTIN R. QUINN, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The December 18-19 GCC Summit in Abu Dhabi has a robust agenda judging from statements issued by GCC Secretary General Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah and other officials SIPDIS after Saturday's GCC ministerial. The summit agenda includes the post-election situation in Iraq, the Palestinian issue, Syria/Lebanon, GCC relations with Iran, Iranian occupation of the UAE islands of Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb, concept of the GCC and the Middle East as a nuclear-free zone, and progress on the war against terror. On the economic side, there will be discussion of economic integration, a common GCC market, monetary union, GCC railway plans, and military cooperation. End Summary. ¶2. (U) The GCC Foreign Ministers met December 17 in Abu Dhabi to hammer out the agenda for the GCC Summit, which is being called the "Fahd Summit" in recognition of the late Saudi King. "Terrorism and the Iranian nuclear program will be high on the agenda," Al Attiyah told the press. Different newspapers emphasized different themes, with the English daily "Gulf News" capturing its readers' attention with the front page headline, "Iran's nuclear plan high on GCC summit agenda." Other newspapers mentioned Iran as well, quoting Omani Foreign Affairs Minister Yousuf bin Alawi as saying, "the ministers also dwelt on the Iranian nuclear file." ¶3. (U) Apart from the Iran issue, Al Attiyah told the press that the GCC "is keen to offer assistance necessary to bring about stability and security to both Lebanon and Syria. ... The GCC states are concerned about Lebanon and what is happening there is not an easy thing. ... The killing of former prime minister Rafiq Hariri and other recent assassinations are condemned. ... In this context we express our support for Lebanon." ¶4. (U) On Iraq, Al Attiyah said, "the GCC is closely following the legislative elections in Iraq. ... We are satisfied with the initial results and we are looking forward to see a free and stable Iraq where a government will be set up away from any affiliations that affect the political process. ... We don,t want to see any political group have a negative impact on the progress of the political process in Iraq." He added that the GCC supported the territorial integrity of Iraq and non-interference in its internal affairs. ¶5. (U) Al Attiyah noted the proposals submitted by Saudi Arabia on the establishment of an international anti-terror center, and said the GCC leaders would focus on terrorism at the summit. In response to a question about Israel's nuclear facilities, Al Attiyah said that the GCC was against a nuclear arms buildup in the region, and urged all countries in the region to enter into a treaty for making the region free of nuclear arms and weapons of mass destruction as a prelude to a comprehensive accord between all Middle Eastern countries. ¶6. (U) A plan to restrict the stay of expatriate workers in the GCC to a maximum of six years was to have been tabled, but according to one press report, the matter has been referred back to the GCC labor ministers. The summit will also discuss a GCC rail plan, a GCC smart card, and efforts to prevent the spread of avian flu. 7 (C) Comment: While we expect the GCC will once again agree on language urging Iran to help resolve the islands issue peacefully, we doubt the GCC will censure Iran for pursuing its nuclear ambitions. QUINN