Obama to meet Gulf allies worried

Obama to meet Gulf allies worried

05/08/2015 22:58

Actions are more important than words for the countries of the Gulf. In the absence of US initiatives in Syria and elsewhere, the concern about the US position on Iran will remain constant.

BAGHDAD / Obelisk: US President Barack Obama chose Camp David rural resort-laden history to meet with the leaders of the Gulf states for a specific goal is to reassure them with the defense of rapprochement with Iran.

It is expected that the call not to be “unwelcome and expected a long time ago,” according to Dblomasen just a stroll from the region of US President with his guests.

In addition to the concern about Iran’s nuclear program and concerns about Tehran’s possession of atomic weapons to end up with access to the lifting of sanctions which strangle its economy, the Gulf states feel that the Americans want to stay away from the area.

And Obama will welcome the leaders of the six countries, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait, at the White House Wednesday before he meets Thursday at the presidential residence at Camp David, about a hundred kilometers to the north of Washington.

It is passing through Riyadh to Abu Dhabi, Manama, he was to reveal the secret negotiations between Washington and Tehran, two years ago, the earthquake took place. If negotiations are no longer a secret, the talks are not under the light completely.

Gulf diplomat said “We are receiving a phone call from Wendy Sherman (big US negotiators) from time to time. But this is not enough,” he said, adding “two years of mistrust.”

For his part, the White House stresses the benefits of a possible agreement with the Iron over its nuclear program, but stresses that he is not involved in a wide process in order to normalize relations with Tehran.

But the leaders of the Gulf states see a change in the US approach, pointing to the “red line that Obama set for the use of chemical weapons in Syria, but did not lift a finger.” They are also worried about Iran’s growing influence in Syria as well as in Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon.

One diplomat said in this context, “during the past two years, has increased the importance of the influence of Iran. We see send more weapons and more money.”

For his part, Larry Plotkin Bogart former analyst with the CIA says, and works at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy that “our allies in the Gulf will not wait for from now on that the United States move to move. They believe that the US reaction, if there is one, is not fast or strong enough. ”

He says a number of regional leaders to intervene in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia is leading an Arab alliance waging since March / March last 26 air strikes against the rebels who are backed by Iran, could herald a manner different behavior.

Gulf diplomat said that “Yemen confirms that we no longer need permission to be allowed to move.”

And put this thing the Obama administration in an awkward position. If they favor militarily and logistically intervention in Yemen, but it plans to influence the course of things.

In the face of the humanitarian situation described by the UN as “disastrous”, he urged US Secretary of State John Kerry on Saudi Arabia in order to approve the truce in the raids.

The meeting at Camp David has allowed the US president to submit to the king of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdul Aziz, a way out with the possibility of negotiations. Because if strikes were able to curtail the military capabilities of the Houthis, but it nevertheless did not succeed in breaking their resistance.

It is expected that the Gulf leaders up to Camp David with a list of arming hoping to get them to cope with Iran, which Russia recently sold S-300 missile batteries.

In total, it seems that the one-day summit, US President put in a delicate position especially in light of the violent criticism from opponents in the Senate to his strategy towards Iran.

Bogart and adds that “the United States and the Gulf States need each other,” but warned exaggerated expectations that may come out of the summit.

He concluded by saying that “deeds are more important than words for the countries of the Gulf. In the absence of US initiatives in Syria and elsewhere, the concern about the US position on Iran will remain constant.”

almesalah.com