Djibouti backs UAE stand on islands

DJIBOUTI yesterday expressed its support for the UAE's right to its three islands of Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunbs, occupied by Iran.

Djibouti President Ismail Omer Guelleh called for resolving the issue through peaceful means or international arbitration.

"We back the UAE in its just cause as occupation of others' lands by force is an unacceptable and unjustified logic. Our position on the issue is firm and based on the principle of resolving differences by peaceful means," Mr Guelleh said in an interview with Emirates News Agency (Wam).

Mr Guelleh said his visit to the UAE would provide him with an opportunity to benefit from the views of the President, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and to brief him on his country's initiative to bring peace to Somalia.

He said relations between the UAE and Djibouti were long-standing and strong and the people of Djibouti had high respect and love for Shaikh Zayed for his farsightedness and dedication to joint Arab action. Bilateral trade relations were very active, he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan held official talks with President Guelleh in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Welcoming Mr Guelleh and his delegation, Shaikh Sultan said his visit reflected the historical and fraternal relations between the UAE and Djibouti. He reiterated the UAE's support for the initiative of Djibouti to restore peace in Somalia by inviting all Somali factions to hold a reconciliation conference in Djibouti.

Shaikh Sultan said that the UAE, under the leadership of Shaikh Zayed, was always calling for achieving peace and solving regional and international disputes through cordial negotiations.

Shaikh Sultan applauded the initiative of Djibouti towards Somalia and pointed out that "time has come for the Somali crisis to be attended to by Arab countries and to attract the international attention in order to achieve stability and security in that country." He called upon all Somali factions to take into consideration the higher interest of their country.

The meeting also reviewed means of enhancing economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Mr Guelleh praised the achievements of the UAE in all fields under the wise leadership of Shaikh Zayed.

Earlier in a meeting with Zayed Charitable Foundation's Director-General Abdullah Sultan Al Dhahiri, President Guelleh praised the desire of Shaikh Zayed to achieve reconciliation among Arab countries and expressed his appreciation for his humanitarian services in various parts of the world, especially in Africa.

Mr Guelleh said that his current visit to the UAE aimed at further enhancing fraternal relations between the two countries.

He also praised the role played by the foundation in various parts of the world, especially in the African continent.

He suggested that a university be set up in his country and named after Shaikh Zayed.  

Source: Khaleej Times May 8, 2000. 4 Safar, 1421.