Chances of GCC admitting Iraq are slim since huge obstacles remain

The chances of Iraq joining the Gulf Cooperation Council, in spite of the hype, are slimmer than none, according to experts and Kuwaiti officials.

The capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussain may have revived the debate over whether Iraq should join the strategic alliance, but there remain important obstacles.

While there has been much talk in the run-up to the 24th Annual GCC Summit, which opened yesterday, Kuwaiti officials insist the issue was never on the agenda and would not be discussed by the leaders of the six member states.

But even if it were on the agenda, it is doubtful the discussion would be favo-urable to Iraq. "Before Iraq can even talk about joining the GCC, it needs to stand on its own two feet," said one Kuwaiti official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"What can it contribute right now to the union except a bag of problems? First, the Governing Council has to transfer power to an elected government, next there is the question of all the reparations they owe to neighbouring countries.

In a strategic alliance of nations, one must consider what a potential member can contribute. It's not just about taking, it's also about giving…" Saad Al Enezi, a Kuwaiti journalist, said: "It's out of the question for the time being, because the charter does not allow it. The Kuwaiti foreign minister has talked about different arrangements or possibly a partnership of some sort.

"This might only be feasible after Iraq has achieved independence... Kuwait is very enthusiastic about having good relations with Iraq, because it knows regional security depends on a peaceful Iraq, which respects its neighbours and international law."

Sulman Al Asoussi, Director for Planning and Development at Al Manar Television, remarked: "There is always the matter of the GCC charter, which limits membership to sta-tes which share certain characteristics. This has always been their little trick to keep Iraq and the other contenders (Iran and Yemen) out of the union."

For example, the charter of the GCC limits membership to kingdoms or emirates, and excludes repub-lics. But even if Iraq were – for the sake of argument – to revert to a monarchy, it would not help its case.

According to Dr John Duke Anthony, President of the Washington-based National Council on US-Arab Relations, the member states share more than a mode of governance; they have common political interests and circumstances.

Iraq's political landscape is not in sync with those of the Gulf, he explained, citing Iraq's Kurdish problem and its differences with Iran and Turkey.

Also, educational reform is one of the main themes of this year's summit. How can Iraq join the alliance, he asked, when Iraqi scho-olchildren are taught that Kuwait belongs to Iraq?

Yet another feature of the controversy, he said, is that if the GCC were to admit Iraq into the union, they would face the wrath of Iran, which has consistently been denied an invitation, said Dr Anthony.