Interview with the new GCC Secretary-General

Interview with the new GCC Secretary-General

As GCC Secretary-General and the first Bahraini and first military man to take office, HE Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani hopes to usher political and social reform.

April 3, 2011 1:11 by Precious de Leon

Q. The Gulf nuclear programme began individually in each country although it was originally declared under the umbrella of the GCC. How can the GCC states collectively benefit from this programme?

A. The Gulf nuclear programme has two dimensions to it: a common dimension and a country-specific one. The common dimension relates to the framework, guiding principles, and the studies carried out by the GCC and the Secretariat in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The country-specific dimension concerns implementation and relates to nuclear plants in each country.

We should not forget that the Gulf nuclear programme is a peaceful power programme dedicated to peaceful purposes. Hence, it is characterised by transparency and it has an integral framework; when it is accomplished in each state, nuclear facilities will be interconnected just as in the case of the electricity grid.

Q. Do you endorse other countries joining the GCC? And what are the conditions governing new membership?

A. The Charter of the GCC did not include a provision on other countries joining the Council. Nevertheless, there has been movement and Yemen is now a member in several Gulf committees and activities. Perhaps the most significant of these activities was the remarkable 20th Gulf Football Cup which took place in Yemen. I am quite confident that the leaders of the GCC are keen on deepening relations with Yemen in several other fields. As for membership conditions, this is a legal question and requires more legal and political studies.

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