And as the rock is lifted....

GERTZ:
Gulf states divided, panicked over possible U.S. concessions to Iran
ABU DHABI -- The Persian Gulf states have demanded that the United States not grant any concession to Iran without the consent of the six Gulf Arab states.

A report by the Gulf Research Center said that the United Arab Emirates has led the GCC demand that the new administration of President Barack Obama not agree to any decision with Iran without consultation with the Gulf Arab states.

Ya think these creeps though they are, recognize that Obambi and crew are WAY OVER THEIR HEADS?

However the large Shi'ite populations in the region and constant diplomatic overtures from Iran have contributed to divisions in the region, with Oman and Qatar straying from the anti-Iran consensus.

The center, in a report by researcher Nicole Stracke, said the Gulf Cooperation Council has has been increasingly alarmed by Obama's decision to stage a reconciliation dialogue with Iran.

"Over the past few weeks, the GCC's concern about the true nature and development of the Iranian nuclear program has deepened with the surfacing of new information and statements," the report, titled "GCC and the Challenge of U.S.-Iran Negotiations," said.

"Different sources have indicated that Iran is moving fast and unhindered towards the objective of acquiring military nuclear capability."

In the report, dated March 5, Ms. Stracke pointed out that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has assured the GCC states of full consultation with Washington. The researcher said this comprised the first U.S. declaration that Obama would involve the GCC in negotiations with Iran.

"Such assurances have been demanded by the GCC leadership for some time now," the report said. "GCC states have legitimate and deep concerns about the conduct and objectives of U.S. policy vis-a-vis Iran. Equally, they have genuine apprehensions about the U.S. ability and willingness to handle the problem relating to Iran without undermining GCC interests."

The GCC demand was first expressed in a meeting by GCC foreign ministers in New York in December 2008. At the time, the report said, UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed A Nahyan called for a "definite commitment from the American side that nothing will be done behind the back of the GCC states and no concessions shall be made behind closed doors that could compromise the national interest of the GCC states in any way."

GRC, said to often reflect the thinking of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, said Gulf Arab states have been preoccupied by the Iranian threat. The report cited Iran's expanding nuclear program, the February 2009 satellite launch and Teheran's intermediate-range ballistic missile program.

"The basic fact is that the Iranian nuclear program poses a serious and equal threat to all the GCC states," the report said.

But the GCC has not been united on an approach toward Teheran. The report cited the absence of Oman and Qatar at the December meeting of GCC foreign ministers, suggesting that Doha and Muscat could be breaking away from its allies.

"Disunity among the GCC states will serve no one and can only send wrong and disturbing signals to Iran and to the U.S.," the report said.

"GCC states will face a crucial challenge in the coming months with the possible opening of direct U.S.-Iran negotiations where all issues related to Iranian policy and interests in the region could come up for discussion and a compromise could be possibly reached. If the GCC states wish to remain informed on the course of the negotiations and influence their outcome, GCC unity is an absolute requirement. To speak in one voice to both parties, the U.S. and Iran, to express the same concerns and put forward the same demands is key to protecting GCC states' vital and legitimate interests."