The Qatari who serves as secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been criticized Saturday by a Qatari newspaper, owned by Qatar’s foreign minister, for speaking out against Iraq without consulting member states.
"It's astonishing to see the GCC secretary general, Abdul Rahman al-Attiya, rush to react with harsh words," to a speech by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to Kuwaitis, Al-Sharq reported.
"Attiya gave the impression of speaking in the name of all the council countries whereas he should have waited for them to speak as one on the issue during a forthcoming meeting of foreign ministers," the daily expressed.
The newspaper, moreover, recalled that the GCC secretary general's role is to coordinate, and that his remarks went beyond that.
The Iraqi ruler's recent message, apologizing to Kuwaitis for the 1990 invasion but slamming their leaders, was "disappointing," Attiya conveyed, adding that it was not a "real" apology but an "incitement" to terrorism. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
