Gulf’s Yemen: An integrated system [Archives:2007/1112/Opinion]
Dr. Saleh Basurrah
Only the international relations that are based on mutual interests can permanently survive. And, when we talk about interests, we don't mean the direct materialistic interests, but the interests in their general concept, materialistically and spiritually. The civilized interests in the relations between states, for instance, play an effective and primary role in determining the nature of these states. The states that have a unified civilized vision usually move toward forming cartels in order to achieve the goals of their peoples, and such cartels are strong and well-established, as well as able to overcome any problems hindering the development of bilateral relations between countries.
Relations between the states that have a unified civilized frame can not be established from the very beginning on the basis of the common values and principles experienced in these states although they print in the minds of decision makers the driving force for relevant work. In our current circumstances, there are subsequent developments that brought about changes in the nature of international relations and made economy as the effective controller of the state's conduct. The businesses, activities and functions of the contemporary sate are concentrating on the economic theme. This leads one to say that any state at the age of globalization becomes an economic state.
Undoubtedly, Yemen has mutual interests with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. As long as Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states have strategic interests that can not be abandoned or neglected, no attempts may have strong influence in ignoring such a fact. And, any relations established in a way contradicting their nature will ultimately fail. This fact implies historic and cultural dimensions in the nature of state's relations, coupled the contemporary changes in the regional and international system, and variables of the states' internal environments.
It is not a monotonous repetition to talk about brotherhood, the same religion, culture and language, closeness of relations and traditions, population interaction and common history since they are basic facts constituting the civilized correlation among different states in a unified group. Via their shared interests, these states can form an integrated civilized cartel to protect themselves and their interests in a changeable world that believes only in the strongest. They can also make out of this cartel a strength for establishing contacts with each other with total confidence.
This fact interprets the nature of intimate relations between Gulf nations, including Yemen, and the efforts expended by political systems in event serious disputes occur. Such disputes are perceived to hinder any efforts aimed at building brotherly ties between nations of the region. However, through a precise study of the history of these relations, one can find that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states deal with Yemen in a more distinctive manner than they do with other Arab states. This originates from decision-makers' belief that Yemen is an integral part of the national security system with its comprehensive concept as eyed by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
Had Yemen hadn't undergon severe conditions of wars and fragmentations, it would have been the Sixth Member in GCC. Even after the national unity was established in Yemen, the Arab conflicts obstructed Yemen's admission into the Gulf cartel. These conflicts negatively impacted Yemen's relations with other Gulf states despite the fact that peoples of the region were bearing in mind that such conflicts might not have considerable influence on these relations. Having realized the detestable effect, all the Yemeni official institutions and civil community organizations pursued hard efforts with the aim of removing any subsequent obstacles and accelerating Yemen's accession into the Gulf cartel.
The Yemeni-Saudi Coordination Council, plus the lavish support from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states for Yemen's development is substantial evidence of mutual understanding between decision-makers in GCC member states and the prospective sixth member. Gulf decision makers are aware of the strategic importance of Yemen, as well as its stability and security to help serve the interests of their nations in the long term.
Source: NewsYemen.net
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