Obama seeks to reassure Gulf allies on
Iran, security at summit
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[May 14, 2015]
By Jeff Mason and Roberta Rampton
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack
Obama will seek to convince Gulf allies including Saudi Arabia on
Thursday that the United States is committed to their security despite
deep concern among Arab leaders about U.S. efforts to broker a nuclear
deal with Iran.
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During a rare, high-profile summit at the Camp David presidential
retreat in Maryland, Obama will meet with representatives from Saudi
Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman,
all members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, to discuss security
cooperation.
Tension over U.S. policy toward Tehran, Syria and the Arab Spring
uprisings will loom over the meetings, which have already been
overshadowed by some countries' decisions to send lower-level
leaders.
Saudi King Salman pulled out, sending Crown Prince Mohammed bin
Nayef and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman instead.
The White House has said such decisions were not snubs and has
portrayed the summit as a set of working meetings rather than
symbolic photo sessions.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/May/14/images/ads/current/gives_you_more_bch_040314.png) Arab leaders are concerned that lifting Western sanctions as part of
a nuclear deal with Iran would empower Tehran to act in
destabilizing ways in the region.
The United States and five other world powers are in talks with
Tehran to curb its atomic program. The Obama administration would
like GCC support for the deal to help convince a skeptical U.S.
Congress it has broad backing in the region.
Although he will not offer a security treaty as some Gulf leaders
desired, Obama will seek to allay their fears about the U.S.
commitment to their defense needs.
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"That will be the essence of the conversations: What can we do to
modernize and deepen that security cooperation?" White House
spokesman Josh Earnest said on Wednesday.
"And much of what the president has in mind is helping the GCC
countries use the hardware that they have to better coordinate their
efforts and better provide for the security of their citizens."
White House officials said on Monday the summit would produce
announcements on integrating ballistic missile defense systems and
increasing joint military exercises.
(Editing by Peter Cooney)
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