The United Arab Emirates (UAE) today called on Iran to refer their dispute over the three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs to the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ).
In a speech to the UN General Assembly in New York, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan said in the absence of serious direct talks between the two countries over the three islands, the issue needs to be referred to ICJ.
“Since the illegitimate occupation of these islands in 1971, the UAE has adopted a flexible diplomatic approach to resolve this matter through peaceful means, through direct bilateral negotiations, or by referring the matter to the International Court of Justice,” Sheikh Abdullah told the General Assembly.
“The actions taken by the Islamic Republic of Iran with the aim of changing the legal, physical and demographic situation of the islands are null and void and have no legal effect whatsoever.
“Those Iranian actions also constitute a violation of international law, and the UN Charter. Therefore, the UAE demands of the Islamic Republic of Iran to enter into serious and direct negotiations between the two countries, or to refer the issue to the International Court of Justice in the light of its continuous illegal occupation of the three islands which are an integral part of the territorial sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates,” Sheikh Abdullah added [UN News Center, 26 September].
The controversy over the three islands goes back to early 1970s when the British were pulling out of the Persian Gulf. They put pressure on the shah’s government to renounce Iran’s historical claim over Bahrain in return for the three islands, which also had long been claimed by Iran. Shah agreed and Iran occupied the islands.
The newly independent Bahrain then joined the Federation of Arab Emirates (FAE) that was to be formed after the British departure. The FAE (which included today’s UAE plus Bahrain and Qatar) in return accepted Iran’s sovereignty over the three islands.
In 1971, Bahrain and Qatar reneged on their memberships at FAE and the newly formed UAE later renounced Iran’s sovereignty over the islands.
As much as I hate the Islamic theocracy I love my country Iran as we hopefully all do but one thing I can't stand are these Persian gulf Arabs.
ReplyDeleteThe deal that was done during the Shah's reign is still very much valid and binding so the UAE can go and kiss our ass till eternity because they wont be getting our islands back ever!!
Note:They mentioned the word illegitimate well they sure know a few things about that !
Anon. 26 sep. 8:04
ReplyDeleteAgree with you totally. They have been barking this for years now.
There is no way they can get these island back.
However I think Iran should be worried the day the Americans and the Europeans decide to strike a deal with these arabs or put more pressure on Iran.
If the UAE want those islands so badly then come and get them, if you dare.
ReplyDeleteWhen Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan (god bless his soul) was president of the United Arab Emirates he clearly denied pursuing any sort of violent action to reclaim the Islands. Then he said his famous speech of "The oil is not more expensive than the muslim's blood." He decided to negotiate peacefully with Iran and try to settle this issue. He neglected all the requests from Britain to intervene in this issue because they were the main cause of creating this problem between two muslim countries. While sheikh Zayed effortlessly tried to settle this issue, Iran becomes more and more stubborn.
ReplyDeleteI find it very surprising and ironic that the Iranian President Ahmedi Najad accuses Israel of occupying Gaza and neglects their occupation and describes how inhumane and tyrant behavior, while in the meantime his country is occupying 3 of their muslims neighbors islands. Don't be blind and arrogant just because your country is more powerful. If you are now powerful don't forget what happened to Iraq in very short time. Even more important don't forget that Allah is more powerful and he does not allow the occupation and killing (just like the Iranians killed police men from Ras Al Khaimah in Abu Musa Island) of other muslim people land just like mentioned in the Quran:
*{}*وإن طائفتان من المؤمنين اقتتلوا فأصلحوا بينهما فإن بغت إحداهما على الأخرى فقاتلوا التي تبغي حتى تفيء إلى أمر الله فإن فاءت فأصلحوا بينهما بالعدل وأقسطوا إن الله يحب المقسطين إنما المؤمنون إخوة فأصلحوا بين أخويكم واتقوا الله لعلكم ترحمون *{}*
And if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah . And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.
JUstice:It’s not the matter of Power, Iran has already lost a lot of its land being attacked, bullied and deceived in the near past by superpowers. If you can read and write which I believe so, then go and read international law where before (Baby) UAE to be born in 1971, Iran had the claim on these occupied Islands along with Bahrain (which are historically a none negotiable part of our mother land Iran). The British Government (Old Fox) pressurizing and deceiving Shah of Iran at that time and returned these Islands under international law and separated Bahrain from its motherland on 1970. So, if Bahrain later on separates from UAE that’s not Iran’s problem and moreover, If there could be even a little legal right for what UAEA claims, the international community would not have kept quiet so far. For your knowledge the three Islands issue is just political to pressurize Iran at different times by superpowers. You are requested to please educate yourself first. We also know about the nature of most Arabs, see what you are doing to your Syrian brothers and sisters.
Delete