Gary Fitleberg, December 30, 2003

Arab rulers in the Persian Gulf agreed to form a pact to pledge against terror and praised the U.S. for planning to transfer power to the Iraqis by mid-2004. One suspects that the terrorism in the cradle of Islam, Saudi Arabia, may have influenced the regimes to reexamine state-supported terrorism. Another reason is that despite public bravado against Western civilization, the attack on Iraq and capture of one of the most defiant dictators of the region shows that strength is demonstrated and understood by the sword.

Perhaps the group of Gulf nations wants to win the economic advantages of being on the right side of the international "War on Terrorism" led by the U.S. Perhaps the burden of the removal of Saddam Hussein from the region has been lifted off their shoulders finally.

The practical reality is that Al Qaeda is waging a war not just on Western civilization but the Arab world as well. Especially against the ruling regimes of the Arab/Islamist dominated dictatorships of the Gulf nations.

Officials from the six Gulf Cooperation Council states -- Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates -- ended a two-day summit with the agreement.

Council Secretary-General Abdulrahman Attiyah said the pact would be a "big achievement that will benefit the Gulf and the whole world."

Officials did not provide details or say when the pact would be finished. Details will probably be made public in Kuwait when it is deliberated by lawmakers.

The Council clearly stated that members of the political and economic alliance "support every international measure to fight terrorism and cut off sources of its finances." The U.S. accuses many Arab charitable organizations as fanning the fire and feeding terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and others with state-supported terrorism.

Hopefully, Saudi Arabia, who received a wake-up call will lead the path now against the terrorism it helped create.

The summit opened with Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheik Sabah al Ahmed al Jabbar al Sabah saying terrorism is "among the most grave dangers and challenges" facing the region.

Since Saudi Arabia was struck the message struck close to home. Homicide bombers are responsible for the killing of more than 52 people and the wounding of more than 100 in attacks in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. Since May 12 Arab/Islamist fundamentalist terrorists have also killed one U.S. Marine and an American civilian in Kuwait, a U.S. ally since October 2002.

The Persian Gulf states also complimented the U.S. for planning to accelerate the transfer of power to the Iraqis," describing it as "positive step in the right direction." However, they urged liberation forces to take up their responsibilities... in safeguarding security and stability in Iraq."

Attiyah said the Council "strongly condemns the terrorist bombings that targeted civilians, aid and international organizations and diplomatic missions working in Iraq." It did not mention the frequent attacks on U.S. forces.

The leaders also d\said they were committed to a policy of noninterference in Iraq’s internal affairs and they urged others to do the same.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2003 Gary Fitleberg