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