IRAQ: GCC council supports UAE initiative

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Att.Editors: The following item is by the United Arab Emirates news agency (WAM)

DOHA, Mar 3 2003 (IPS) - The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council has voiced appreciation of United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s efforts to stave off harm and military action from the Iraqi people.

In the final communiqué issued here in Qatar today at the close of its 86th two-day round of meetings, the Council underlined the need to place Sheikh Zayed’s initiative on Iraq within the Arab framework for further discussion and appraisal since "the chance to review it during the recent Arab Summit in Sharm el Sheikh was not given."

The Council also reiterated support of UAE full sovereignty over the three islands of Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Moussa and their territorial waters, air space, continental shelf and the economic zone being an integral part of the UAE.

It stressed the importance of Iraq’s instant and full compliance with the UN Security Council’s Resolution No. 1441 and other respective decisions. The communiqué welcomed Iraq’s unconditional acceptance of resolution 1441 and cooperation with international inspectors, reiterating respect for Iraq’s independence and territorial integrity.

The GCC Council denounced – the brutal acts" of the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people and called for the end of the Israeli occupation and for restoring the Palestinian right for self-determination and establishing their own state with Jerusalem as its capital.