His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani officially begins his task as the new Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on April 1. He assumes office at a time when a highly complex and volatile environment prevails in the Gulf and the wider Arab region. In fact, the Arab world is witnessing events that are unprecedented, in particular their simultaneous domestic and regional dimensions. The present situation is made all the more difficult by certain forces taking advantage in a bid to impose their point of view, by the role of foreign influences seeking to ignite sectarian tendencies, and by attempts to 'hide poison under honey' to turn efforts at reform into a tool of destruction rather than a means of development. In order to interpret events through a reliable Gulf perspective, in particular through the vision of a man who will be responsible for managing the Secretariat of the GCC in the coming years, and in order to learn about his views and plans, Al-Riyadh Newspaper conducted an interview with H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani with cooperation the Gulf Research Center. During the course of the interview, H.E. Dr. Al-Zayani touched on many Gulf issues, expressed his views on future joint Gulf action and laid out his priorities as he perceives them. H.E. Dr. Al-Zayani asserts that the Gulf States, due to the progress they have achieved in their development, are qualified to enter a new stage of political, economic, social and cultural reform. At the same time, he cautions that one should be wary of blind imitation of other societies as each society has its own circumstances and history, as well as its social, demographic and religious structure. For the GCC states, the reform process should be gradual and evolutionary given that sudden, coup-like, revolutionary changes could have devastating consequences. Regarding his outlook, His Excellency said: "My ambitions are focused on making every Gulf citizen feel that joint action is in his interest and represents a move forward. Such joint action also reinforces and strengthens Gulf economic citizenship, as well as advances the status of the Arab Gulf States in the international arena and helps in achieving the required interconnection among the GCC states in all fields until we attain complete unity." H.E. Dr. Al-Zayani stated that his dreams are many and without boundaries. They spring from the ambitions of the founding fathers of the GCC and from the achievements of its leaders over the three past decades. At the same time, his ambitions are realistic and they reflect the current economic, social, political and cultural circumstances. Of his aspirations, three are of special concern to him: reinforcing the educational and scientific infrastructure, deepening the comprehensive cooperation between the GCC states, and building a solid base of regional strength and vitality. What follows is the translated transcript of the interview. Q. What does the position of Secretary-General of the GCC mean to you in view of the fact that you are the first Bahraini and first military man to assume this position since the establishment of the GCC in 1981? A. The position of Secretary-General of the GCC is both an honor and a responsibility. It is certainly an honor to me as a Bahraini citizen to serve the Arab Gulf countries. But it is also a responsibility because it entails exerting all my energy and expertise to bring about and reinforce joint Gulf action. I ask God to grant me success in performing this task with which I have been entrusted. Q. There are many international, domestic and local challenges that face the GCC states at the current moment. What are your priorities with respect to the large number of thorny issues? A. My priorities are those set by the leaders of the GCC states via their decrees in Gulf Summits, the Cabinet's decrees, the agreements signed in the context of the GCC, and the GCC Charter. Perhaps I can summarize these priorities in five objectives. The first objective is to strengthen the joint, comprehensive defense and security of the member states of the GCC; i.e. the security of member states individually and collectively, as well as the security of individual Gulf citizens. The second objective centers around the Gulf economy. The aim is to provide for a growing and cohesive economy in the framework of economic, technological and informational integration. The third objective concerns human development. The fourth objective is related to public safety by reinforcing the capabilities of fighting natural and human disasters and the ability to recover from them. The fifth objective involves furthering the international position of the member states of the GCC. All of these objectives are based on the resolutions passed by the Gulf leaders over the past years. The Secretary-Generals who preceded me worked on achieving these objectives and I am keen on benefiting from their experiences, pursuing their approaches, and building on their achievements and accomplishments. I will simultaneously widen the boundaries of these objectives and add new activities to them in response to the challenges and developments in the region in particular and the world in general. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani Q. The Middle East region is witnessing widespread protests and calls for change and reform as evidenced by the cases of Egypt, Tunisia and other Arab countries. In the Gulf, there appears to be a belief that one is immune from such movements due to the state of affluence enjoyed by citizens in the GCC states and the advanced infrastructure serving Gulf communities. Such facts have enabled the GCC states to achieve a high rank in the United Nations reports on human development. How do you view this situation? And how do you interpret it? A. This is an important question. I believe that the calls for reform and change are logical ones. Individuals and entire societies constantly work on developing themselves irrespective of the progress they may have already achieved. We see this, for example, in the developed countries of Europe and America. This is my first point. The second point pertains to the status of youth in Arab societies in general and the Gulf societies in particular. Young people in the Gulf have experienced scientific and cultural progress and are more open to technology, satellite television stations, and what goes on in the world. It is only natural that they have been affected by these things. The third point relates more to the GCC states, which are modern, young countries. The youth population in these states is in the region of 50 to 60 percent of the total population. This poses a number of problems, including the search of young people for jobs and related unemployment among university graduates. The result is young people who seek political and economic participation and strive to effect cultural changes in their societies. Finally, in analyzing social and political activities from the perspective of psychology, there is what is called the phenomenon of 'fashion imitation' as borrowed from the world of costumes. Youth protest movements spread from one society to another under such a phenomenon. As far as I am concerned, the Gulf societies, with the progress they have achieved in human development, are ready to undertake a new phase of political, social and cultural reform also given the fact that the Gulf States are a part of the globalized international system. However, we should be wary of blindly imitating other societies. Every society has its own characteristics, history, heritage, and its social, demographic, religious and sectarian structure. We are still countries that have social realities, which are linked to tribes and clans. Hence, social change is slow and undermining the stages of development can result in confusion in the political system. In short, we say that gradual reform is required whereas sudden, coup-like, or revolutionary change could plunge the region into catastrophic situations. Q. The predicament of the Iranian nuclear file and Iran's occupation of the three UAE islands constitute an obstacle to developing Gulf-Iranian relations, especially with Iran's rejection of international arbitration with respect to the three UAE occupied islands or the GCC calls for a peaceful diplomatic solution. How can we settle pending issues with Iran? What other options are available to the GCC States? A. I think we need to put things in the right perspective in conformity to the Gulf principles of action and the principles of good neighborliness. Firstly, Iran is a Muslim country and a neighboring state to the GCC states and in this context there are questions concerning Iran's intentions towards the GCC states and Iranian ambitions. Secondly, Gulf-Iran relations must be based on clear principles referred to in the Charter of the United Nations and several other international conventions. These consist of respecting state sovereignty and on the non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries. Thirdly, the GCC states are sovereign states and the sovereignty of each one of them must be preserved, as well as their national territories. Fourthly, the United Arab Emirates has chosen a peaceful approach in its foreign relations and has opted for peaceful resolutions to its problems in the international arena; it has been supported in this regard by the GCC states and the Arab League. Fifthly, the United Arab Emirates has offered proposals to resolve its dispute with the Islamic Republic of Iran peacefully. Sixthly, as regards the Iranian nuclear program, Iran has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Iran's conflict with western countries and superpowers can be resolved via peaceful negotiations and reassuring the Arab Gulf countries about their safety and non-exposure to nuclear radiation and pollution of the Gulf waters. Q. By virtue of your military experience, can we expect you to focus your attention in the first place on security and defense issues at the expense of other Gulf issues especially given that the GCC states have not achieved significant advances in these fields in comparison to other fields such as the economy? A. This is also an important question. My answer is that I am the Secretary-General of the GCC and not the Chief of Staff of the GCC Armed Forces. Therefore, my task is not solely in the field of security and defense but in all fields of cooperation according to the objectives of the GCC. Perhaps I should refer to Article One of the Charter of the GCC, which speaks of consultation and integration in the economic, social, political and cultural fields. In other words, my priorities are the priorities of joint Gulf action as set up by the leaders of the GCC. These are not lesser in importance than the issues of defense and security because stable relations create an appropriate environment to achieve other economic and human objectives. Q. Since the foundation of the Al-Jazeera Shield force in 1986, discussions about developing this force have been on the agenda of all the GCC Summits. In fact, several proposals have been put forward to develop it after its number reached 21,000 men. What is the best formula to strengthen this force in your view? And what is your personal vision of developing it? A. The Al-Jazeera Shield force is the nucleus of a Gulf defense force. Therefore, the leaders, by virtue of their wisdom, worked on developing it. Continued development depends essentially on the role assigned to the force with the passage of time in conformity with the circumstances and frameworks it operates in. Such development requires time and specific, joint plans. Hence, the detailed process of development is entrusted to the Ministers of Defense in the GCC because this is the area of their expertise and specialization; they are more capable than others of doing this. Q. How do you assess joint Gulf action and what are your ambitions and aspirations with respect to the coming years? A. There can be no doubt that joint Gulf action has achieved several goals over the years. If we view it objectively, we will find a great amount of joint action, including the Gulf Common Market, the Al-Jazeera Shield force, laying down defense and security strategies, allowing Gulf citizens to travel throughout the GCC countries using their ID cards, treating the citizens of the GCC states the way the citizens of every state are treated in the labor field, the right of Gulf citizens to have residence visas in all the GCC countries, and establishing numerous other joint projects. The achievements are too many to count on this occasion and the examples I list represent only a few of them. As for my ambitions, they consist in making every citizen feel that joint action benefits him and represents an asset to him; if this is achieved, citizens will endeavor to support and reinforce joint action. There is also the question of deepening and furthering the Gulf economic citizenship and the quest to reinforce the status of the Gulf countries in the international arena. In this context, Gulf action becomes a framework of comprehensive coordination and cooperation on all levels. It also achieves interconnection between member states in all fields in pursuit of unity. This has been stipulated by Article Four of the GCC Charter. Q. A lot has been said about an electricity grid and the scheme of building railways and other joint projects in the GCC countries. What is your view of these projects? How can they be accelerated? A. Implementing any plan requires time and effort, especially ambitious projects such as the electricity grid and a connecting railway. First of all, we must find out about the potential of each country and prepare technical studies of how to implement decisions. Then we begin the process of financing, calculating costs, returns and the like. According to the information I have, there are committees working on these schemes and I will be keen on following up on their progress and working hard to overcome and eliminate any obstacles in the way of implementation. In this respect, I am determined to implement the sincere wish on the part of the leaders to accomplish these projects. Given that decisions have been made at the highest level, I understand that authorities in the respective countries are keen to implement these schemes and overcome any difficulties. Q. The dreams and aspirations of the citizens of the GCC states comprise many things - moving freely between the six countries using ID cards only, the right to work in all government and private institutions, freehold ownership, and conducting business, for instance. On some of these fronts, we are slowly moving towards realization of these aspirations while others face delays. What are the hurdles to realizing these ambitions? Will the UAE refusal to join the currency union delay the emergence of this currency? A. The common currency will be issued soon. Many of the administrative and organizational aspects have been dealt with and work is continuing to appoint teams and train them for their tasks. However, I must refer to an important fact - joint action in the entire world progresses at different speeds and on multiple levels. The European experience is the best evidence of this. Not all European Union countries have joined the common European currency, the 'Euro'. Great Britain, as a superpower, has not joined the European common currency yet. As for the issues relating to the Gulf Common Market, ID cards for traveling to any GCC country, the right to work in all government and private institutions in the GCC countries, freehold ownership, and freedom to trade and conduct business, they are all moving in the right direction. The rate of their progress will increase whenever Gulf citizens become aware of their benefits. Once this happens, citizens will contribute to apply and develop them in their sphere of work. Q. The peaceful Gulf nuclear program began individually in each country although it was originally declared under the umbrella of the GCC. How can the GCC states collectively benefit from this program? A. The Gulf nuclear program has two dimensions to it - a common dimension and a country-specific one. The common dimension relates to the framework, guiding principles, and the studies carried out by the GCC and the Secretariat in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The country-specific dimension concerns implementation and relates to nuclear plants in each country. We should not forget that the Gulf nuclear program is a peaceful power program dedicated to other peaceful purposes, too. Hence, it is characterized by transparency and it has an integral framework; when it is accomplished in each state, nuclear facilities will be interconnected just as in the case of the electricity grid. Other areas of peaceful use benefit the citizens of every Gulf nation. I would like to add here that there is a problem facing nuclear programs; it relates to safety considerations, which are affected by three major factors. The first one is a level of security culture and implementing security protocols, especially for those working in nuclear facilities. Secondly, there is the quality of nuclear reactors, the degree to which their designs are based on latest technologies as well as the period of their operation. Thirdly, there is the question of geological conditions in terms of earthquakes and volcanoes. Previous experiences relating to these three factors including the Three Mile Island Accident in the United States, the Chernobyl accident in Ukraine, and the earthquake and related tsunami disaster that affected Japanese nuclear reactors have to be kept in mind. Q. Some accuse the Gulf countries of a lack of coordination in their foreign policies and believe that, as a result, the Gulf countries have lost much in terms of their influence and effectiveness. Do you agree with this view? What are you looking forward to in this regard? A. I do not agree with this view. Rather, I feel quite the opposite. There is great coordination among the GCC states in the sphere of foreign policy. Coordination takes place on multiple levels: - at the level of leaders in their bilateral and collective frameworks; - coordination on the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs; - coordination on the level of officials and under-secretaries of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs; - and, finally, coordination on the level of ambassadors to pursue common interests and communicating with officials in the countries where these ambassadors are accredited. Such levels of exchange attest to the fact that there is complete coordination. Perhaps I should refer here to the ministerial meeting no. 118, which was convened in Abu Dhabi and continued in Riyadh in March 2011 and the important decisions made with regard to the situation in the region. This resulted in a program of development to be put forth for both the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman. I believe this is definite proof of comprehensive coordination and cooperation. Q. Some studies say that the GCC states are qualified (owing to their political, economic and cultural components) to play a distinguished and balanced role in the international arena. Do you think that the GCC states are actually capable of playing this role now and under the current international circumstances? A. I think that the GCC actually already plays a distinguished role in the international context. One of the major goals of the GCC is to reinforce the international status of the GCC states, help in humanitarian relief efforts, and assist in fighting natural disasters. For example, in this context we have several Gulf development funds and all the GCC states contribute to these funds. GCC relief efforts have helped in coping with floods in Pakistan, the tsunami in Southeast Asia, and fighting disasters in Haiti and other Latin American countries. All of this attests to the fact that the GCC countries do not waver from contributing to the activities of the international community and that they are responsible states. Q. The Gulf achievements in economic fields were the most salient in the past. Are you content with what has been achieved so far? Can we expect greater economic achievements in the coming years? A. There is no doubt there are economic achievements such as the GCC Customs Union, the economic activities of the private sector, the activities of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry for the GCC, as well as in other diverse economic fields. There are programs in the fields of health and preventive medicine, education and its quality, and standardization and metrology. I will be keen on reinforcing Gulf action in all economic sectors, as they are the pillars of joint action in a way that makes Gulf citizens recognize its benefits. I do expect more to take place in the coming years because the GCC countries, on the level of its leadership, are committed to, and keen on, this. There are also different authorities working on eliminating any obstacles in the way of strengthening economic integration and the Gulf economic citizenship. Q. The global crisis has led to the collapse of the economies of several countries in the world and has been the greatest economic challenge the GCC states have faced in the last years. Do you think the GCC states have been able to overcome this challenge successfully? And do you think that they are now equipped against any coming crisis? What is the role required of the Secretariat of the GCC in meeting this kind of crises? A. I think the GCC states have faced the global and financial crisis with a positive and constructive methodology and, consequently, have overcome it to a better degree compared to other countries in the world. Many factors helped them in this, including constructive and wise policies in the financial and economic spheres. These policies distanced themselves from uncalculated risks, on the one hand, and focused on real and not virtual assets, as happened in some developed countries, on the other. The sufficient reserves of money and the revenues accruing from oil helped the countries that faced some problems in overcoming the crisis rapidly. Moreover, there is the policy of Gulf solidarity. Some Gulf countries quickly extended a helping hand to other countries, or other Emirates in a united country as evidenced by the case of Abu Dhabi and Dubai and recently in the program to support development in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman. Q. Iraq and Yemen are witnessing a state of domestic tension and instability owing to well-known internal causes unique to the two countries. Iraq and Yemen are neighboring countries to the six GCC member states. How do you perceive the way the GCC deals with the domestic situation in these two countries? Do you propose laying down a plan, or conceiving of a vision, to deal with the existing and potential challenges in both countries? A. It is true that Iraq and Yemen are neighboring countries to the GCC states and they are two sisterly Arab countries in addition. The GCC has done its best to help in the process of building peace and national reconciliation in Iraq and has done the same in Yemen. There can be no doubt that deepening cooperation with Yemen and Iraq is one of the priorities of the Gulf countries. We already engage in constant consultation with these two states to strengthen the framework of this cooperation in the pursuit of realizing common interests. Of course, all this presupposes political stability, which these two countries seek to achieve. Q. Do you endorse other countries joining the GCC? And what are the conditions governing new membership? A. The Charter of the GCC did not include a provision on other countries joining the Council. Nevertheless, there has been movement and Yemen is now a member in several Gulf committees and activities. Perhaps the most significant of these activities was the remarkable 20th Gulf Football Cup which took place in Yemen. I am quite confident that the leaders of the GCC are keen on deepening relations with Yemen in several other fields. As for membership conditions, this is a legal question and requires more legal and political studies. Q. The GCC states suffer from weakness in their educational curricula. Do you support unifying the educational curricula in the GCC states? A. Yes. Developing the educational curricula is necessary, especially relating to scientific courses as these are of a general nature and provide general principles that constitute the pillar of progress. As for the curricula of the social sciences, each country has unique features that ought to be taken into consideration. Q. Some GCC members are still slow in applying the system of retirement insurance. Is there a mechanism for applying and unifying the system of retirement in the GCC? A. This is a technical matter. I believe specialists in the GCC countries are conducting research on this issue and that there are still some obstacles. This may be due to the different standards of living in the Gulf countries and the different levels of salaries and wages, as well as the level of income in each state. We will continue to look for a solution through the work done by the specialists. Q. What is the dream that you wish to come true during your term of office as the Secretary General of the GCC? A. I have many and limitless dreams. They stem from the ambitions of the founding fathers of the GCC and the achievements of the leaders of the Council through the past three decades. These are boundless ambitions, but they operate in a framework of reality and an awareness of the current economic, social, cultural and political circumstances. Of these dreams, I am interested in highlighting three particular ones. First, reinforcing the educational and scientific structure to generate progress for the GCC citizens in order to allow them to contribute to inventiveness and excellence and become producers of knowledge and not merely consumers. Second, deepening the comprehensive cooperation between the GCC states and institutions in the economic, social and cultural fields. This will make every Gulf citizen appreciate the need for common action and, hence, he will seek to maintain such common action and develop it further. As such, the move towards comprehensive cooperation will receive the necessary support. Third, building a solid and strong basis of regional strength and vitality, or what is called ‘Regional Resilience' as a point of departure towards global horizons more spacious and prestigious to the GCC states. As I said earlier, they all revolve around the persistent pursuit of Gulf unity because the nations of the GCC countries are similar with regard to their origin, tribes, heritage, and political, economic, social, and cultural circumstances.
