Gulf | Saudi Arabia
Call for Gulf-Iran security agreement
A top Saudi official has called for a comprehensive security pact between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Iran.
- By Abdul Rahman Shaheen, Correspondent
- Published: 23:35 November 24, 2008
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
- Prince Talal said Iran's threats have caused the GCC states to doubt its intentions.
Riyadh: A top Saudi official has called for a comprehensive security pact between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Iran.
"The Gulf region should be free from a catastrophic conflict and arms race at the expense of huge prospects for development and progress," said Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz, President of the Arab Gulf Programme for United Nations Development Organisations (AGFUND).
In a statement, a copy of which was obtained by Gulf News, Prince Talal called for initiating negotiations between the GCC states and Iran to reach an elaborate security agreement not only restricted to non-aggression, but that also builds mutual trust.
"In the current scenario, we call for working out a mechanism for drafting a security pact that would help the region avert a conflict or arms race that has the potential to spill over into the entire region, thus endangering the ongoing development march of the GCC states," he said.
Prince Talal suggested that the proposed pact consist of four pivotal points.
"First, a provision that makes it binding on all GCC states never to allow their land or water territories, and air spaces to be used for any aggression against Iran," he said.
"Second, regional and international guarantees must be in place to restrict use of nuclear energy only for peaceful purposes.
Prince Talal noted that the third element of the proposed pact would involve the drafting of a clear and specific mechanism subjecting all nuclear reactors to inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
"There should also be a criterion for enrichment of uranium and guaranteeing observance of it under all circumstances," he said.
"Fourth, there should be guarantees and confidence-building measures between both sides under which they can agree to reliable international monitoring of their military arsenals.
A mechanism for immediate joint consultancy in case of any security incident should also be in place," Prince Talal said.
He reemphasised that the current situation in the Gulf region is not beneficial. He said that the aggravation of the security situation is the outcome of mutual suspicion and doubt.
Prince Talal said Iran's threats have caused the GCC states to doubt its intentions, especially with reference to its nuclear programme.
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