December 27-2013
Some of the Arab states across the Persian Gulf say they want a seat at the table as Iran and the Big Six negotiate over Iran’s nuclear program because their interests are wrapped up in the issue.
Majlis deputies dismissed the request in a most insulting manner, saying the Arab states across the Persian Gulf were just petty countries that carried no weight in the world and deserved no role.
Both Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal, a former ambassador to Britain and the United States, and Qatari Foreign Minister Khaled al-Attiyah said the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the grouping of the six Arab states across the Persian Gulf from Iran, should have a seat at the table.
The Qatari foreign minister said, “At the end of the day, the GCC is meant to be part of that agreement on the region.” He spoke as if the talks were about regional security, but the Big Six have stressed the talks are only about Iran’s nuclear program, nothing else.
Prince Turki said, “The GCC must be involved….. Iran is in the Gulf and any military effort will affect us all, let alone the environmental impact.”
Majlis Deputy Mansur Haqiqatpur was dismissive. “It is some boldness for Arab countries to request such a thing,” he said. “None of them holds any weight. All they do is watch and see their security increased due to the strategic actions of the Islamic Republic of Iran…. We will talk to the Foreign Ministry and have them respond to such haughty statements.”
Majlis Deputy Esmail Kosari looked down his nose at the Arab states and said, “It is curious that some Arab states would sit around, brain storm and then request a part there, whereas they are not the decision-makers.”
