December 3, 2010Clinton reassures Gulf leaders ahead of Manama Dialogue
There is no cause for concern for relations between the Gulf states and the United States, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said
Manama: There is no cause for concern for relations between the Gulf states and the United States, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a gathering of local and foreign press on the sidelines of the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain on Friday.
Her statements come after the fallout of the embarrassing WikiLeaks revelations which cast some Gulf leaders as proponents of using force against Iran to destroy its nuclear capabilities.
Analysts believe while the leaks will not likely drive a wedge between the Gulf and the West, Gulf leaders may be less forthcoming in future discussions with the US.
“In the absence of any credible alternative it seems probable that the Gulf states will continue to rely on the US as their main security guarantor. They may however engage in a greater degree of hedging with Iran if they see no alternative,” Nigel Inkster, Director of Transnational Threats and Political Risk at the IISS (International Institute of Strategic Studies), told Gulf News.
Asked to comment about the content of the WikiLeaks, Bahrain Foreign Minister Khaled Bin Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Khalifa declined. However, stating Bahrain’s official policy he said, “Bahrain believes in every country’s right to have peaceful nuclear programmes, but does not accept nuclear weapon programmes.” “There is international concern over a nuclear Iran. Everyone is aware of the dangers of nuclear proliferation in the region, especially Iran’s neighbours,” Clinton added.
Her statements come after the fallout of the embarrassing WikiLeaks revelations which cast some Gulf leaders as proponents of using force against Iran to destroy its nuclear capabilities.
Analysts believe while the leaks will not likely drive a wedge between the Gulf and the West, Gulf leaders may be less forthcoming in future discussions with the US.
“In the absence of any credible alternative it seems probable that the Gulf states will continue to rely on the US as their main security guarantor. They may however engage in a greater degree of hedging with Iran if they see no alternative,” Nigel Inkster, Director of Transnational Threats and Political Risk at the IISS (International Institute of Strategic Studies), told Gulf News.
Asked to comment about the content of the WikiLeaks, Bahrain Foreign Minister Khaled Bin Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Khalifa declined. However, stating Bahrain’s official policy he said, “Bahrain believes in every country’s right to have peaceful nuclear programmes, but does not accept nuclear weapon programmes.” “There is international concern over a nuclear Iran. Everyone is aware of the dangers of nuclear proliferation in the region, especially Iran’s neighbours,” Clinton added.
“The Gulf states are undoubtedly and understandably worried about Iran’s growing influence and hegemonic ambitions within the region,” Inkster said.
The Manama Dialogue will draw foreign ministers from Gulf and Arab countries, as well as Iran and Turkey. King Abdullah of Jordan will give the key-note address on Saturday. Organised by the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies, the Manama Dialogue is billed to be the “most important regional security meeting in the Middle East and excellent anchor for regional security diplomacy”.
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/bahrain/clinton-reassures-gulf-leaders-ahead-of-manama-dialogue-1.722481
The Manama Dialogue will draw foreign ministers from Gulf and Arab countries, as well as Iran and Turkey. King Abdullah of Jordan will give the key-note address on Saturday. Organised by the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies, the Manama Dialogue is billed to be the “most important regional security meeting in the Middle East and excellent anchor for regional security diplomacy”.
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/bahrain/clinton-reassures-gulf-leaders-ahead-of-manama-dialogue-1.722481
