Question of Palestine – Final Communiqué of the ninth session of the Supreme Council of the GCC – Letter from Bahrain

Letter dated 17 January 1989 from the Permanent Representative of

Bahrain to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

I have the honor to transmit herewith the text of the Final Communiqué and the Manama Declaration adopted by the ninth session of the Supreme Council of the Co-operation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, held at Manama, Bahrain, from 19 to 22 December 1988 (see annexes).

I should be grateful if you could have this letter and its annexes circulated as an official document of the General Assembly, under the items entitled "Co-operation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States", "The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security", "Question of Palestine", "The situation in the Middle East", "Consequences of the prolongation of the armed conflict between Iran and Iraq", "Review of the implementation of the Declaration on the Strengthening of International Security", "Development and international economic co-operation" and "Peaceful settlement of disputes between States", and of the Security Council.

ANNEX I

Final communiqué of the ninth session of the Supreme Council

State of Bahrain. 10 to 13 Jumada I A.H. 1409

(19 to 22 December A.D. 1988)

At the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Isa bin Sulman Al Khalifa, Amir of the State of Bahrain, the Supreme Council held its ninth session at Manama, Stat of Bahrain, from 10 to 13 Jumada I A.H. 1409, corresponding to 19 to 22 December A.D. 1988. The following were present:

His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan, President of the United Arab Emirates;

His Highness Sheikh Isa bin Sulman Al Khalifa, Amir of the State of Bahrain;

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Fahd bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia;

His Majesty Sultan Qabus bin Said, Sultan of Oman;

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar;

His Highness Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Amir of Kuwait.

The Supreme Council discussed the evolution of the work of the Co-operation, Council; what it had achieved of the goals embodied in its Constitution, the security situation in the region in the light of Iran's acceptance of Security Council resolution 598 (1987), adopted in July 1987; the current Arab situation, in particular the situation in the occupied Arab territories, the escalation of the heroic uprising, the decisions adopted by the Palestine National Council at its extraordinary session at Algiers, the resolutions of the Geneva session of the United Nations General Assembly on the question of Palestine and the commencement of the dialogue between the Palestine Liberation Organization and the United States of America; and also the situation in Lebanon and the contacts currently being made in order to clear the air in Arab circles. The Council also reviewed the changes which had occurred at the international level and the détente in international relations which had resulted from those changes.

Integration between the Co-operation Council States

The Supreme Council, having studied the stages through which the work of the Co-operation Council has passed; having made a comprehensive evaluation of all aspects of its work towards its objectives; inspired by the belief in a common future and a common goal as set forth in the Constitution; desiring to achieve increased co-operation, integration and cohesion, as a follow-up to the steps taken at the previous sessions of the Supreme Council; recalling the provisions of the Economic Declaration of the Riyadh summit at the eighth session, in particular the resolve to ensure the speedy completion of the measures necessary for the establishment of the Gulf Common Market and the speedy adoption of increased steps to realize the aspirations of citizens; having taken cognizance of the results the work of the various ministerial committees and of the recommendations of the Ministerial Council, hereby reaffirms that it will continue to proceed in a way that will deepen the firm foundations on which the Council is based, achieve increased cohesion among citizens and serve their interests.

In accordance with the foregoing, the Supreme Council has decided on the following:

– That permission should be granted to citizens of the States of the Council to own shares in new joint-stock companies engaged in economic activities in accordance with the proposed rules;

– That citizens of the Co-operation Council States should be placed on an equal footing as regards tax treatment with the citizens of the member State in which investment is made;

– A régime for the promotion, co-ordination and setting up of industrial, projects in the Co-operation Council States;

– A régime for the protection of emergent national industries;

– The Co-operation Council States' regional emergency plan for petroleum products;

– That citizens of the Co-operation Council States should be treated as citizens of the member State in which they reside for the purposes of health services.

The security situation in the region

The Supreme Council studied the security situation in the region and the development of the negotiations between Iran and Iraq concerning the implementation of Security Council resolution 598 (1987). It recalled the decisions of previous sessions, which laid down a consistent Co-operation Council policy of continued efforts to halt the war of destruction between Iran and Iraq and to establish a just and lasting peace in the region. Having reviewed the efforts made by the Co-operation Council in implementation of the decisions of the Supreme Council at its eighth session in Riyadh and the contacts which ensued with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Supreme Council expresses its gratification at the positive developments in the region, exemplified by the cease-fire and the commencement of negotiations relating to the implementation of resolution 598 (1987). The Supreme Council appreciates the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and places emphasis on the continuation of work with the international community, especially the permanent members of the Security Council, with a view to the full implementation of the resolution. The Supreme Council renews its resolve to strive to ensure security and stability in the region so as to safeguard freedom of navigation in international waters and sea lanes, in accordance with the principles of international law and the Charter of 11 the United Nations and on the basis of good-neighborliness, non-intervention in the internal affairs of States, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence based on the ties of religion and heritage that link the States of the region.

The current Arab situation

The Supreme Council reviewed the situation in the occupied Arab territories, recalling the decision adopted by it at its eighth session in Riyadh to support the popular uprising against the occupation and the repressive practices applied by the Zionist enemy in order to bar the people of Palestine from the exercise of its legitimate rights to self-determination and to the building of its independent State. The Council commends the heroic struggle of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories and affirms that the Co-operation Council States will support and back this uprising by all available means until the uprising achieves its objectives. The Supreme Council also commends the resolutions of the Palestine National Council at its extraordinary session at Algiers and the declaration of the independent Palestinian State and expresses its support for the establishment of that State. The Supreme Council also expresses its appreciation to those States which have recognized the Palestinian State and calls upon the other States to recognize it. The Supreme Council commends the statement by Mr. Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, before the General Assembly of the United Nations at its forty-third session on the Palestine item at Geneva and calls upon, the international community to support the convening of the International Conference within the framework of the United Nations and with the participation of the permanent members of the security Council and attendance by all the parties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation Organization, with a view to the achievement of a just and lasting peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the restoration to the Palestinian people of its usurped rights, including it legitimate right to self-determination and to build its independent State. The Supreme Council expressed its hope that the ongoing dialogue between the United States of America and the Palestine Liberation Organization would result in positions leading to the adoption of speedy measures for the convening of the International Conference.

The Supreme Council also recalled its communiqué at its eighth session at Riyadh concerning the situation in Lebanon. It renews its support for the efforts being made to enable Lebanon's constitutional institutions to continue in the performance of their functions and to protect Lebanon and its independence and the integrity of its national territory. In that connection, the Supreme Council expresses its support for the convening of a meeting of the Council of the League of Arab States to discuss the situation in Lebanon.

Their Majesties and their Highnesses are extremely gratified by the developments which have ensued within the framework of Arab contacts. In view of the constructive role being played by the Arab Republic of Egypt, the leaders of the States of the Council support steps to enable Egypt to carry out its responsibilities within the Arab framework.

The international situation

The Supreme Council noted with satisfaction the détente taking place in the world, alleviating the acuteness of tension, assisting arrival at peaceful solutions to regional conflicts, curbing the arms race and laying foundations or a new phase in international relations, a phase based on common interest and mutual respect. The Supreme Council expresses its support for the efforts being made by the United Nations to find solutions to current problems.

The Supreme Council expresses its satisfaction also at the direct negotiations between the Afghan Mujahidin and the Soviet Union held at Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and expresses the hope that a lasting peace will be arrived at whereby the people of Afghanistan will be able to safeguard its unity and independence, affirm its non-aligned policy and safeguard its Islamic identity.

Military and security co-operation

The Supreme Council took cognizance of the stages through which military and security co-operation between member States had passed and expressed its satisfaction at the level reached by this co-operation. It stressed the importance of continued progress in that area. Aware of the importance of strengthening co-operation between member States for the prosperity of the region and for the safeguarding of its achievements, its security and its stability, the Supreme Council approved the recommendations of the Ministers of Defense and the recommendations of the Ministerial Council concerning the various aspects of military and security co-operation in the forthcoming phase, as a complement to and culmination of the work phases of past years.

Co-operation in the field of petroleum

The Supreme Council also discussed the recent agreement arrived at in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). It affirmed its support of this decision and its compliance with it and called upon the other members of OPEC to comply likewise. The Supreme Council also stressed the necessity of co-operation between the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other producer States outside OPEC, inasmuch as price stability is a collective responsibility.

Negotiations with economic groupings

The Supreme Council took cognizance of the Co-operation Agreement signed at Luxembourg on 15 June 1988 between the Co-operation Council States on the one hand and the European Community on the other and decided to ratify it. It also authorized the Ministerial Council to enter into official negotiations with the European Community with a view to arriving at a trade agreement between the two parties.

The Supreme Council decided to confirm the Secretary-General, Abdulla Yacoub Bishara, in office for two more years.

Their Majesties and Their Highnesses expressed their utmost gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Isa bin Sulman Al Khalifa, Amir of the State of Bahrain and to his Government and people for the gracious hospitality, friendly reception, warm feelings and demonstrations of fraternal welcome which they encountered and commended the excellent arrangements, careful organization and the great efforts made to ensure the comfort of delegations and the success of the meeting.

The Supreme Council looks forward to meeting at its tenth session in the  Sultanate of Oman in Jumada I A.H. 1410 (December A.D. 1989) in response to the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Qabus bin Said, Sultan of Oman.

ANNEX II

Manama Declaration adopted by the ninth session of

the Supreme Council

Thursday, 13 Jumada I A.H. 1409

(22 December A.D. 1988)

The Supreme Council,

Conscious of the importance of achieving the objectives set forth in the Constitution of the Co-operation Council, and desiring to promote the process of co-operation and integration among Co-operation Council States in all fields in the advance towards unity,

Inspired by the principles of the Constitution of the Co-operation Council and the comprehensiveness of its objectives, and in conformity with the directives of its leaders,

Affirms the need to preserve and increase this momentum in order that its achievements may embrace all spheres in a balanced manner.

Convinced that the subjects addressed by the Council are such as to strengthen the bonds of cohesion among its citizens,

In fulfillment of the Riyadh Declaration adopted by the eighth session,

The Supreme Council reviewed at its ninth session, held in Bahrain from 10 to 13 Jumada I A.H. 1409 (19 to 22 December A.D. 1988), the progress of work by the Council in various fields in light of the objectives set forth in the Constitution, the Joint Economic Agreement and the timetable for implementation of that Agreement, in accordance with the decisions of the Supreme Council at its sixth and seventh sessions.

Expressing its appreciation of the executive measures taken by member States pursuant to the decisions of the Supreme Council concerning implementation of the Joint Economic Agreement and the positive results thereof with respect to the linking of economic interests among citizens of its States, the Supreme Council looks forward with confidence to future measures gradually to implement more articles of the Agreement with a view to making a positive contribution to the expansion of the Gulf Common Market and to promoting the economic development of Co-operation Council States.

Commending the efforts undertaken by the Ministerial Council and those ministerial committees working within the Council to establish a solid economic cultural and social basis in conformity with future requirements,

Desiring to promote the process of collaboration,

The Supreme Council affirms:

– The comprehensiveness of the objectives of the Co-operation Council, their integration in all fields and the need to register further achievements in the work of the Council, particularly in areas relating to social affairs, culture and information, as well as the establishment of equal rights to citizenship among member States;

– The planning by the ministerial committees concerned of the measures required to complete implementation of article 8 of the Joint Economic Agreement, whose aim it is to establish the principle of economic citizenship, particularly with respect to the facilitation of citizens' movements and the promotion of additional economic activities;

– The need for a rapid unification of customs tariffs with respect to the outside world, in order to permit the emergence of the Common Market of the Co-operation Council States in accordance with the provisions of the Joint Economic Agreement and the decisions of the Supreme Council;

– The need to review and evaluate the decisions taken in the context of the Co-operation Council and the strategies and policies adopted in various fields, as set forth in the instructions of the Supreme Council (in the Economic Declaration of the Riyadh summit) to the Ministerial Council, to ensure implementation thereof and compliance therewith.

In affirming its determination to continue the process of collaboration and to maintain the benefits thereof in accordance with the aspirations of citizens of the Co-operation Council States, the Supreme Council instructs the Ministerial Council to follow up the implementation of this Declaration with the ministerial committees concerned and to submit periodic reports to the Supreme Council on progress achieved, difficulties and obstacles to the process encountered in the taking of decisions and the measures required to overcome such difficulties.

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