x x x concludedOn the first GCC summit in Abu Dhabi in May 1981, SheikhKhalifa said: '' This summit will send a strong message to the restof the world thatthe GCC leaders are more than capable of handling theirproblems. It willalso send a message to the rest of the world that stabilityand securityof the GCC region can only be maintained and safeguardedby the citizensof the GCC. Moreover, the summit is an expression of a strongresolveby the GCC to work collectively and assert their identity.

The birth ofthe GCC will bolster the confidence of a people who unitedby common bondsof brotherhood.

''We are confident that the 1 st Abu Dhabi GCC Summitwill succeedbecause the aspirations and goals are one. The people ofthe region sharethe same aspirations and expectations''.

One reason why this conference is great is that it sprangfrom thepopular need for unity, which has been a long-held dreamof the peopleof the region. It is a dream which they have nurtured fordecades. Thisparticular factor, combined with the common traditions,values and culturesconstitute positive factors that will lead to the successof the firstAbu Dhabi summit, which is set be a turning point in thatit will translatethe issue of unity from a mere slogan to a tangible reality.

''It is significant to note that the formation of theGCC is thefirst practical step towards a comprehensive Arab unity.

In a statement a couple of days after the conclusionof the summit,Sheikh Khalifa told a Saudi newspaper, AI Madinat , on May25th, 1981that the formation of the GCC was a result of concertedefforts exertedby GCC leaders. The formation of the council, he said, isa significantstep towards Arab unity. Indeed, it is a milestone in thehistory of Arabrelations in general and the GCC in particular.

Sheikh Khalifa noted that the six member states thathave always playeda significant role in mending Arab relations have yet againproved tothe Arab world that unity is quite possible and attainable.

They havealso proved to the Arab people at large that with determinationeverythingis could be attained. The GCC example proves that Arab unityis not adistant dream. The lesson to be learnt from the GCC experienceis: Arabunity lies in determination, collective will and understanding.

Sheikh Khalifa has been aware all along that a comprehensiveGCC integrationcannot be complete without economic integration.

In a statement to the Bahraini newspaper on the 22 October1983, hesaid that economic coordination and integration must runconcurrentlywith political and military coordination among the GCC countries.

He sawthe military cooperation between the GCC states as complementaryto economicsecurity and political integration. If these three aspectsare fused togather, then the GCC will be a strong entity and will beable to maintainits security, prosperity and progress.

In a statement to the Saudi newspaper AI Madinat on23.,October 1983,Sheikh Khalifa said that the formation of the GCC was theembodiment ofthe aspirations of the GCC people. It is also the epitomeof the intimacyof the people of the GCC. It is a huge monument expressingthe solidarityand unity of the GCC leaders. In other words, it came outas a resultof spontaneous feeling among the leadership. The formationof the GCCwas considered as a pioneering experience that is basedon solid groundand hard work. It is also an expression of self-denial andcommitmentto the security and stability of countries of the region.

It was in factgood news for the rest of the world that if smaller entitiescan worktogether to forge a union, then the world can actually bemore stable.

It will be easy to deal with one entity rather than smallerand weak entities.

On the occasion of the 5th summit of the GCC in Kuwait,Sheikh Khalifatold the in Kuwaiti News Agency (KUNA) on 24 November 1984,that the GCCleaders have been keen to protect the greater national interests.

He saidthe most important thing at this stage was the independenceof the GCCpolitical decision, for if the region has no political decision,thenit would land itself into problems and then look beyondthe region forexternal help even in cases where strategic decisions needto be made.

This will give opportunity for others to make importantdecision on behalfof the region. This of course will be contradiction in principlesbecausethe prime task of the GCC leadership is to uphold the independenceofthe region.

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