The speech of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to GCC leaders at the opening of the summit, was the main news picked up by Arab and international agencies. Media commentators were busy analysing every word in the Emir’s talk, which was praised for its eloquence, excellent pronunciation and clear content.
The Emir noted that this summit came about after complex negotiations that almost led this Gulf body to an abyss, if it wasn’t for the elders’ wisdom and young people’s recognition of the dangers that might have obstructed this coherent Arab entity by high walls. Keeping in mind the current conditions that leave a lot to be desired both in the Arab and international realms, could be shaken by the slightest earthquake.
Our Emir didn’t leave any stone unturned on local and international issues. He also warned the GCC leaders at the summit that the critical economic situation the world is going through at the moment, calls for Council states to promote economic and developmental assimilation before a calamity befalls them, such as the one that took place in 2008, when they disagreed over several issues.
In addition, the Emir did not leave a moment pass by without indicating in precise and expressive language that the past eight months must stand as proof “that we shouldn’t let our political differences affect our economic, social, and media sectors.” Here it was pointed out that the difference of opinion over Gulf affairs should not be faced by repression, prosecution, or prevention of entry into some Gulf countries, as long as the owner of such opinion does not carry weapons, or is hostile to a particular regime; he is rather working towards its betterment.
In his speech, Sheikh Tamim focused on “the brotherly relations between our GCC people should not be matter of questioning, even during crisis, but if it became could not do so, this will mean that the GCC body remained the topmost entity for more than thirty years. There is a given in the relationship between GCC states and its people that should not be subject to questioning at any time.”
The speech of the Emir
to GCC leaders at the summit, pointed out frankly and clearly “not to indulge ourselves in minor disagreements.” We have to begin cooperation without restrictions and at all levels in order to define the Council’s role. This allows us to achieve the national interests of the Arab people in the Gulf region, by using our strategic location and natural resources.
There is no room for slowing down or paying attention to minor details. “Superpower and other nations, who do not hesitate to impose their domination on our Arabian Gulf, do not wait for, nor listen to moral appeals or advice to act; rather they seem to deal only in the language of interests and with those who only prove their strength on the ground in the region.”
The question is: Are our leaders aware of the meanings of these phrases contained in the speech of our young Emir?
Sheikh Tamim wanted to say that there is a local power seeking to impose its will on the region in cooperation with the major powers, and that we have to fortify our determination to build our unity in the face of current challenges.
Sheikh Tamim addressed Arabs and the international community in general, concerning the Palestinian issue, saying: “The terrorism practised by Israel in the Palestinian territories against the Palestinian people under occupation, places a great responsibility upon the shoulders of the Arab and international community. Indeed, these racist practices warn of dire consequences for the region and destroy the chances of achieving peace.”
The Emir also called upon the Arab and Muslim society to take a serious, honest and strong position to defend the sanctuaries of the Islamic nation, especially in Jerusalem. He appealed to all Muslims everywhere to support with all their financial, political and media resources the struggle of the Palestinian people in the face of Israeli aggression.
It is indisputable that Sheikh Tamim didn’t forget the appeal to the Arab and Muslim world to stand by the Palestinian people against the unjust siege by Israel and Egypt on the Palestinian Gaza Strip. I frankly understand Israel’s hostility to the Palestinian people in the West Bank, especially the Gaza Strip, but I do not understand Egypt’s interests in imposing such a siege in the Gaza Strip.
It is really unfortunate that the final statement of the summit ignored completely the Egyptian stance on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, by singling out paragraph (42) to confirm the Supreme Council’s support for Egypt and its proposed programmes.
It was incumbent upon the committee drafting the final statement to add a paragraph appealing to Egypt to lift the siege imposed on Gaza Strip after they have listened to the speech of the chairman of the Conference, the Emir of Qatar.
The Emir’s speech did not neglect the Syrian, Iraqi and Yemeni affairs. He didn’t ignore all forms of terrorism, by asserting that the elimination of terrorism requires the eradication of the reasons for its creation and spread, which are injustice, tyranny, poverty and the violation of people’s dignity by overpowering governments.
Finally, it was a comprehensive and collective speech, in which
Sheikh Tamim determined a work plan and diagnosed areas of weakness.
My last question: Would this speech echo in the Gulf capitals? I hope so, surely.
