MEDIA REACTION: GCC SUMMIT/IRAQ ELECTIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 005085

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/PPD; NEA/RA; INR/R/MR; PA; INR/NESA;
INR/B; IIP/G/NEA-SA
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA
USCINCCENT FOR POLAD
LONDON FOR MCKUNE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: GCC SUMMIT/IRAQ ELECTIONS



1. Summary: "Al-Bayan" explains that previous GCC summits did
not have so many issues on the table. English daily "Gulf News"
calls on the GCC to take significant steps to increase
cooperation in the region. A Kuwaiti editorialist in "Al-
Ittihad" cites elections in Iraq as a good example of democracy
for the region. End Summary.


2. Dubai-based business-oreinted Arabic daily "Al-Bayan"
(circulation 90,000) editorialized:

"The topics under discussion in the current summit have never
been gathered in one summit before. These include social,
economic and political issues, some of which have been delayed
for decades.. It is high time for the GCC leaders to activate
existing economic cooperation. However, these issues are the
easiest to address compared with more sensitive issues such as
security and military matters. These issues also effect GCC
neighbors such as Iraq and include: mounting tension between
Lebanon and Syria, the war against terrorism and Weapons of Mass
Destruction (WMD) in the region. In previous summits socio-
economic issues were a priority, followed by political issues.
However in this summit, security and military issues are working
their way to the top of the agenda, making this meeting a summit
of challenges."


3. An unsigned editorial under the headline "There's a will, but
the way is missing", Dubai-based English daily "Gulf News,"
(circulation 95,000) states:

"Compared with the dormant Arab League, the GCC is an active
regional player that looks after the interests of its six member
states. On the other hand, After 25 years, Gulf citizens feel
that little has been done. Deadlines for various integration
projects are postponed, sporadic rows between some of the members
hinder the implementation of approved plans and relevant
bureaucracies in each state make it impossible to draw a unified
policy on such vital issues as labor, health care and expatriate
residence permits."
"Politically, member states have different, and sometimes
conflicting, positions with regard to Iraq, Iran, ties with the
United States and even the Palestinian question. The GCC has the
political will and the resources to fulfill our ambitions. The
people believe in it. They want it to succeed. But its progress
has been curiously slow."
"The 26th GCC Summit, which concludes today, is being held at a
critical time, regionally and internationally. Therefore, it
should be more than the usual protocol gathering. The people of
the Gulf await decisions to speed up the integration process and
secure the stability of this region."

4. Mohammad Abdullah Al Mutawa wrote under the headline
"Reformation of the GCC", Dubai-based English daily "Gulf News,"
(circulation 95,000):
"Anyone, who is following the concerns of GCC citizens, might
notice that the main focus is on economic issues. This, in turn,
will cement relations based on joint interests between countries
and explore various avenues of economic cooperation, as well as
enhance exchange of expertise and work force."
"The experiment of European countries showed clearly the
importance of focusing on the economy first, then politics. This
is why it is so important to focus on setting up a common market
and create mechanisms of economic integration. GCC countries
must give such issues top priority. Creating a unified currency
and initiating new joint venture projects are also necessities to
all GCC countries, so that they can exchange workforce and
expertise."
"Regarding political issues, activating the role of national
councils or any other political bodies and tools of political
action, has become an urgent demand from all GCC people. The
participation of woman in all institutions affiliated with the
National Council has become necesary at this stage as a step
towards full reformation."
"THE FINAL QUESTION IS THE POSSIBILITY OF DEVELOPING THE
CONSULTATIVE AUTHORITY OF THE GCC, WHICH WAS SET UP DURING THE
17TH SUMMIT HELD IN DOHA IN 1996. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THIS
AUTHORITY, WHOSE ROLE IS YET TO BE KNOWN? IT IS NECESSARY TO
ACTIVATE THE ROLE OF THIS AUTHORITY AND ALLOW WOMEN TO
PARTICIPATE IN ITS INSTITUTIONS."


5. Dr. Shamlan Al Eissa, a Kuwaiti editorialist wrote under the
headline "The Iraqi Elections" on Abu Dhabi-based Arabic daily
"Al Ittihad," (circulation 65,000):

"THE WORLD SEEMS TO BE INTERESTED IN KEEPING ABREAST OF THE
RECENT IRAQI ELECTIONS BECAUSE OF THE ARAB SUNNI'S INVOLVEMENT.
INITIALLY, THE ASSOCIATION OF MUSLIM ULAMA BOYCOTTED LEGISLATIVE
ELECTIONS HELD LAST JANUARY. THIS CONTRIBUTED TO THE REDUCED
REPRESENTATION OF SUNNIS IN THE PARLIAMENT. NOW WITH THEIR
PARTICIPATION, THEY STAND A BETTER CHANCE TO REPRESENT THEMSELVES
AND ABLE TO PLAY AN INCREASED ROLE IN THE NEXT STAGE OF THE
PROCESS."

"The announcement of Al-Sistani restraining himself from
supporting any election list comes as a courageous step towards
eliminating religious men from effecting the political process.
We hope that the Islamic political parties in the Arab countries
and especially in the Gulf states take this as an example for
their future participation."

"Iraqi citizens feel optimistic as they realizes that this is the
right path towards a better life. Despite all the obstacles in
its way, neither boycott nor terrorism can stop democracy from
prevailing in Arabia. Iraqis now are proving the fact that
democracy, pluralism and freedom are possible in our region."


QUINN