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US Wants Gulf States to Impose Curbs on Iran

Gates, who was addressing an international security conference here in the Bahraini capital, added, “what we are after is a change in the policies and a change in behaviour so that Iran becomes a good neighbour of people in the region (rather) than a source of instability and violence. This can be done by exerting both economic and diplomatic prtessure — as called for by the United Nations.”

On whether the incoming administration in Washington, when US president-elect Barack Obama takes office on January 20, will broaden the conditions for ‘direct diplomacy’ with Iran, he said, “that still remains to be seen.” But any attempts to test the new administration would be ‘a mistake.’

He also urged Middle East nations to set aside old hostilities and reach out more openly to the Shia-led government in Bahgdad, as part of a concerted bid to counter Teheran’s influence — that has already cost many lives. A failure to do so, he cautioned, will increase the risk of Iranian influence undermining political stability in Iraq and “if the country falls back into extremist control it will be a threat to the entire region.”

Iraq, he said, can undoubtedly play a key constructive role in the region. But whether or not this happens, would also depend to a large degree on the Arab states agreeing to act in concert to support the Baghdad government.

Reassuring regional leaders and top officials attending the 5^th annual International Institute for Strategic Studies Manama Dialogue, Gates said the US commitment to the Middle East, including efforts to reslove the complex Arab-Israeli problem and combat terrorism, will remain unchanged even under the Obama administration.

Signalling a shift in US priorities, from Iraq to Afghanistan, the Defence Secretary said a failed state there will increase the threat of Al Qaeda and other militant groups and that this threat “would stretch across the Middle East and beyond.” It is thus imperative, he argued, that Middle East nations help fight the “spread of violent extremism” by funding and training the Afghan security forces. The Gulf states, for instance, he said, can fund and send forces — including engineers and agricultural experts. The US, on its part, is thinking of sending an additional 20,000 troops to Afghanistan, said Gates, who was in Afghanistan on Thursday to meet top US commanders and troops.

• UAE