KUWAIT, May 19 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah called here Thursday on Iranian officials to stop their "provocative remarks", but to show "goodwill" in the coming stage instead.
"Statements by some Iranian officials do not express goodwill, but they carry a highly toned language of threat against, and suspicion over, the safety, security and stability of the GCC countries, a matter which is unacceptable," he told reporters following a National Assembly (parliament) session.
During the parliamentary session, Sheikh Mohammad briefed the members on the outcomes of a recent visit to Kuwait by Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi, including a three-party committee involving Kuwait, Iran and Saudi Arabia for monitoring and defining their continental shelf boundaries. He added that during meetings with the Iranian foreign minister, the Kuwaiti side had emphasized three matters; firstly, the GCC member states have the right to put their joint defence deals in place, and thereupon Bahrain's request for the GCC's Island Shield Forces is a legitimate one, and Iran should not view the presence of such forces in Bahrain as a threat to it.
Secondly, the recently discovered Iranian espionage network was not a "lie or fabrication, but a truth upon judicial ruling". In this respect, he rejected any attempt to cast doubts about the Kuwaiti judiciary.
Thirdly, Sheikh Mohammad said that although the Iranian foreign minister made positive remarks, some Iranian officials are still making provocative statements.
The top Kuwaiti diplomat went on to say: "We have informed the Iranian minister that this matter is unacceptable, and in the coming stage we should provide a positive atmosphere and stop fully such provocative remarks, which are marked by threats. This matter was so evident during the minister's meeting with HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, as well as his meetings with speaker and members of the National Assembly." He added he had also kept the parliament session posted on the GCC's welcoming of Morocco and Jordan, together with the latest developments in Yemen and Libya. (end)
