US-GCC JOINT STATEMENT

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000666

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV AE
SUBJECT: US-GCC JOINT STATEMENT


1. (U) On February 23, the Secretary met with the Foreign
Ministers of the GCC in Abu Dhabi. At the conclusion of the
meeting, the US and GCC released the following joint
statement. The UAE official news agency, WAM, published the
text in both Arabic and English on its website; text was
subsequently carried in both the English and Arabic press.

2. (U) (Statement Text:) "Their Excellencies the Ministers of
Foreign Affairs of the member states of the Arab Gulf
Cooperation Council, GCC, and the Secretary of State of the
United States of America met together in the Emirates Palace
Hotel in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, 23rd of February, 2006,
during the current tour of the region by the Secretary of
State.
The two sides reviewed the existing relations of friendship
and cooperation between the GCC member countries and the
United States and expressed their satisfaction at the level
which these relations have reached in various fields.
The two sides reaffirmed their constant position with regards
to the denunciation of terrorism in all its forms and their
support for every regional and international effort to combat
it.
The two sides expressed their common interest in the
achievement of stability and prosperity in the Middle East,
believing that this serves the interests of both sides and
reinforces international peace and stability.
The two sides discussed the situation in Iraq and emphasized
the necessity for the formation of a broad-based and
inclusive Iraqi Government, believing this to be a necessary
requisite to guarantee the territorial unity of Iraq and its
stability and sovereignty. The ministers condemned the attack
on the holy places in Iraq. The ministers called on all sides
to respect the sacred places of Iraq.
The two sides discussed the situation in Lebanon and affirmed
their interest in supporting the political security and
economic stability of the Lebanese people and in safeguarding
the unity, independence and cohesion of Lebanon. For that to
be achieved, the two sides stressed their belief in the
necessity of all concerned parties to be committed to the
terms of United Nations Security Council resolutions No.1559,
No.1595, No.1636 as well as resolution No.1644 regarding the
international committee of investigation, and to full
cooperation with this committee.
As regards the situation in the broader Middle East, the GCC
Foreign Ministers and the US Secretary of State affirmed the
necessity for serious and effective action to be taken on the
establishment of a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle
East, recognizing that this depends on the implementation of
international resolutions, in particular with regards to the
'road map.' In this regard, the participants in the meeting
noted with satisfaction the speech of the Chairman of the
Palestine Authority to the opening session of the Palestinian
Legislative Council on Saturday 18th February 2006 and the
fact that it contained a confirmation of the commitment to
the peace process and all of its requirements. They called on
all parties concerned to take steps without delay on the
implementation of the 'road map', leading to a two-state
solution and the establishment of a democratic, peaceful and
viable Palestinian state.
The two sides discussed the nuclear proliferation in the area
and stressed their fears and serious concerns with regards to
the dangers of this proliferation in the region, reaffirming
the necessity of keeping the Gulf area free from weapons of
mass destruction.

At the end of their meeting, the two sides confirmed that
they share strategic common interests in the maintaining of
stable energy markets and of world economic growth." (End
Statement Text.)


3. (U) In addition to the Secretary, the meeting was attended
by:
- Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, UAE Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the current session of the
GCC Ministerial Council,
- Dr Nazar Obaid Madani, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign
Affairs,
- Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Oman Minister of Foreign
Affairs,
- Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmad bin Mohammad al-Khalifa, Bahrain
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
- Dr Sheikh Mohammad Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah, Kuwait Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs,
- Ahmad bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud, Qatar Minister of State for
Foreign Affairs and,
- Abdul Rahman bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, GCC Secretary General.
SISON