Gulf press mostly welcomes Jordan's, Morocco's GCC bids

By Khaled Neimat

AMMAN - During the past few days, most Arabic media outlets in the Gulf states expressed satisfaction with the Gulf countries' welcoming Jordan’s and Morocco’s request to join the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Few were less positive.

The move [accepting the two countries in the grouping] will strengthen the GCC status, making it "a significant political, security and economic bloc", wrote Saudi daily Al Jazirah in its editorial "Al Jazirah opinion" one day after the GCC announcement on Tuesday.

"Leaders of the Gulf countries are contemplating a very important addition to further strengthen the council," the daily further said.

In the same article, Al Jazirah focused on the similar social and political structures Jordan and the Gulf states have, viewing them as a recipe for success. Including two major Arab countries in the GCC, the paper said, is bound to promote Arab solidarity.

Columnist Yousef Kawalit, who writes for the Saudi Arabic newspaper Al Riyadh, was positive vis-à-vis the idea of including Jordan and Morocco in the GCC.

Referring to the Gulf countries’ Tuesday announcement, he said "what is happening is promising, and serious work will develop in phases. Each day, we will gain new angles that will put us on the right track".

In Qatar, the daily Al Arab adopted the attitude and optimism the Saudi newspapers had, focusing on the economic gains to be had if the step to take Jordan and Morocco in the GCC fold is taken.

The newspaper reported reactions by business leaders, quoting some as saying that new economic prospects accompany the inclusion of Jordan and Morocco in the GCC.

The daily Al Arab quoted Qatari businessman Yousef Kawari as saying the decision is smart and in line with the Gulf countries’ interests.

"Facilitating Jordan's membership in the Gulf countries’ bloc would be due to its geographical link with Saudi Arabia, the largest Gulf state. The close geographical location will make it easier to include Jordan," Kawari said.

On the other hand, the Kuwaiti daily Al Qabas highlighted the reasons behind the Gulf countries’ desire to include Jordan and Morocco in their midst, saying that the Gulf states want "to protect similar political systems after the vacuum created by the absence of Egypt and the Iranian interference in the region".

The daily expressed fear that the move will end up in failure, saying: "The step, if completed, will reflect in a negative way on the Arab League, and we do not rule out that it is just the beginning of the end of the Arab League."

Columnist Jasim Budy, who works for Al Qabas, wrote an article titled "Beginning of the GCC end", claiming that expanding the GCC will lead to the same end other Arab countries’ blocs, including the Arab Maghreb Union and the Arab Cooperation Council, had.

Based on previous experience, Budy said he feared what he described as "the disappearance and collapse of the GCC" as a result of the decision to expand its membership.

Meanwhile, the Saudi daily Al Yawm welcomed Jordan’s and Morocco’s joining the GCC.

The daily described the GCC announcement as a call for in-depth dialogue with Jordan and Morocco to ascertain benefits and commitments, adding that this first step will help find out if the two countries can meet the GCC requirements, particularly in their political and economic dimensions.

15 May 2011

Source: The Jordan Times.
Link: http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=37478.