Arab Leaders Get Behind Anti-Terrorism Efforts
Leaders of Arab countries from the Persian Gulf agreed Monday to form a pact to combat terrorism and praised Washington for planning to transfer power to Iraqis by mid-2004.
The leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council states -- Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates -- ended a two-day summit with the agreement. They did not give details of the pact or say when it would be finished.
But their communique said members of the political and economic alliance "support every international measure to fight terrorism and cut the sources of its finances." The United States accuses many Arab charitable organizations of feeding terrorist organizations such as Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network, blamed for the Sept. 11 attacks.
The summit opened Sunday with Kuwait's prime minister, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, saying terrorism is "among the most grave dangers and challenges" facing the region.
Get the rest of the story from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Matt's Chat
Could it be a result of the war in Iraq that now Arab leaders are starting to embrace the idea that terrorism doesn't pay and that it is an evil that should be eliminated? I think so. Add in the fact that terrorists are striking their own homelands as well, and I can certainly see why Arab leaders are finally getting on board.Mark's Remarks
Well, Matt, it is a case of the chickens coming home to roost, in addition to the Bush Doctrine. Now that terrorists are opening up destruction in Saudi Arabia, and betraying their former bankrollers, now they are on board. It just goes to show you about these guys...even though they are talking the talk, we will have to be vigilant to make sure they walk the walk.
