Opinion - News Analysis   

Ahmadinejad seeks to win more friends

Atul Aneja

The Iranian President's recent visit to the UAE and Oman is being seen as an extension of the effort by the region's key players to find home-grown solutions to their problems while distancing themselves from the U.S.

IRAN'S RELATIONS with the oil rich states of the Gulf are on the fast track. Two months after a landmark visit to Saudi Arabia, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was warmly welcomed in the United Arab Emirates and Oman this week. On May 13, breaking protocol the top leaders of the UAE, led by President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, were present at Abu Dhabi airport to receive him. By evening, Mr. Ahmadinejad was in Dubai, home to most of Iran's half-a-million expatriates. At a rally inside a soccer stadium, a delirious crowd — mostly Iranian expatriates — watched him launch a fierce attack against the United States, vociferously demanding the withdrawal of American troops from the region. What was significant was that he issued this call from the UAE, characterised by many as a key U.S. ally.

"Every time your name is mentioned, hatred builds up," Mr. Ahmadinejad said of the U.S. "Go fix yourself. This is Iran's advice to you. Leave the region." On another occasion, he said: "The nations of the region can no longer take you forcing yourself on them. The nations of the region know better how to create peace and security."

In calling for an American exit, Mr. Ahmadinejad entered into a war of words with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, who was touring the region at the same time. Mr. Cheney had issued a strong statement that Washington would not allow Tehran to dominate the oil-rich Gulf. Aboard the U.S. aircraft carrier John C. Stennis, that has been roaming the Gulf waters for some time, Mr. Cheney said: "We'll stand with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating the region." He said Iran would not be allowed to block the sea lanes, through which the bulk of the global oil supplies pass.

While the tone and tenor of Mr. Ahmadinejad's address was not unexpected, the UAE President's remarks, as reported by a section of the Iranian media, certainly were. The Tehran Times quoted Sheikh Khalifa as saying: "The withdrawal of foreign fleets and armies from the region is one of our desires." He reportedly added that, "Some countries are prolonging their presence in the region on the pretext of the Iraq crisis, but I hope that the Iraqis themselves will solve their own problems."

Several factors are driving a closer relationship between Iran and major Gulf countries, which have begun to drift away from the U.S. First, anti-American sentiment in the region is growing exponentially. The spate of killings in Iraq and the seemingly endless suffering of the Palestinians are driving anger towards Washington to new heights. The leaderships of these countries can no longer ignore the popular mood.

Secondly, the surging rebellion in Iraq, and the inability of the Americans to stop it have shattered the myth of U.S. military invincibility. The military debacle of the U.S. in Iraq, and that of Israel in Lebanon last year, have renewed hope among ordinary Arabs that meaningful change in the region is still possible.

Thirdly, the Arab regimes have fully recognised the destabilising impact of the American occupation of Iraq. The war has raised Sunni-Shia tensions in the region to unacceptable levels. Apprehending social chaos that sectarianism can create, Arab regimes, having mixed Sunni-Shia populations, have decided to act.

Disregarding the blueprint charted by the West, Saudi Arabia seized the initiative and began actively to mediate in the intra-Palestinian conflict. In February, it hammered out the Makkah accord that resulted in the Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, forming a national unity government. Recognising Iran's influence among the region's Shia communities, Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz invited Mr. Ahmadinejad to Riyadh in early March. Voicing popular sentiment, the Saudi monarch also roundly criticised the American occupation of Iraq. While distancing themselves from the Americans, the Saudis have been actively courting Russia, China, and India.

Mr. Ahmadinejad's visits to UAE and Oman are therefore an extension of the effort by the region's key players to find home-grown solutions to their problems. Keen on closer bonds, Iran and the UAE have begun to explore joint projects that would help integrate their two economies. Separated by only 180 km, they are discussing the possibility of laying undersea cables for transferring 1,000 MW of electricity.

Iran is also offering Abu Dhabi gas supplies originating in Iran and Turkmenistan, which straddles the Caspian Sea. Gas from Turkmenistan can be sent to the Gulf shores across the Iranian transit corridor.

Mr. Ahmadinejad's visit, which could go a long way in deepening Arab-Iranian ties, has brought the issue of the presence of foreign troops in the region more prominently on the agenda. The need for deeper economic ties and closer people to people interaction has also been reinforced. The trip could become a significant event that could encourage the region to rediscover its intrinsic strengths, rooted in its unique history and culture.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Musharraf's crisis of legitimacy
A successful drive
123 as countdown to CTBT by the backdoor
Under-investment in health costs lives
Ahmadinejad seeks to win more friends
Bush hits new low
Understanding political violence
"Anti-terror strategy needs overhaul"
Fourth innings
Attack on artist

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu