US President George W. Bush warned Gulf Arab allies on Sunday of the threat from their neighbour Iran and called for their support of Washington's policy goals in the Middle East. In the keynote speech, delivered in Abu Dhabi, he also reached out to the Iranian people, saying they had a right to live under a government "that listens to your wishes".
According to AFP, Bush slammed Tehran regime saying that it was "today the world's leading state sponsor of terror" and, with Al-Qaeda, the main threat to the region's stability. The Islamic republic "seeks to intimidate its neighbours with missiles and bellicose rhetoric," the US leader commented. "Iran's actions threaten the security of nations everywhere.
"So the United States is strengthening our longstanding security commitments with our friends in the Gulf -- and rallying friends around the world to confront this danger before it is too late."
"To the people of Iran, you're rich in culture and talent. You have the right to live under a government that listens to your wishes, respects your talents and allows you to build better lives for your families," he said.
"Unfortunately your government denies you these opportunities and threatens the peace and stability of your neighbours.
"So we call on the regime in Tehran to heed your will, and to make itself accountable to you."
Bush also used his speech in Abu Dhabi to urge Israelis and Palestinians to have faith in the renewed peace negotiations launched in Annapolislate last year. "To the Palestinian people, the dignity and sovereignty that is your right is within your reach," said Bush, who after a first visit to the Holy Land as president last week, said he is "very hopeful" a final peace deal can be reached before he leaves office in January.
Turning to the Arab Gulf states, he appealed for their support of US goals, including in Lebanon and Iraq. "We urge you to join us in committing the resources to help the Palestinians build the institutions of a free society, help the citizens of Lebanon preserve their government and their sovereignty in the face of outside pressure from their neighbours, show the Iraqis that you support them in their effort to build a more hopeful nation."
Bush renewed his call for reform in the Middle East pointing to the example of Japan after World War II where he said a thriving democracy had been built without affecting indigenous culture or religion. He listed a string of Arab countries which had held elections in recent years.
Even in the UAE, indirect elections to an advisory federal council, which are the only polls to have been held so far, were the "first step in a wider reform," he said.
