Al Jazeera Forum: Gulf states need reforms, not radical change Sunday, 13 March 2011 03:05

By Samiha Gouhar

Dr Abdul Khaleq Abdullah, a noted Arab intellectual and lecturer of political science at the United Arab Emirates University appreciated the positive outcome of mass revolts in several Arab countries, especially in Egypt.

He however felt that the political situation in many Arab states were still bad despite efforts for reforms.

On the sidelines of the sixth Al Jazeera Annual Forum at the Doha Sheraton, he said no doubt the political situation in the Arab World and the Middle East in general had been severely affected and required urgent treatment especially when the turmoil has shifted to the GCC especially in Bahrain and Oman. He added that the same situation was existing in the remaining GCC states as well.

He expressed pessimism as the political situation in many Arab countries, the political relations and the Palestinian peace process were going through tough times. Mobilisation of the Arab public opinion is happening through new media such as Facebook and Twitter. He expected more reforms in the GCC countries but not radical changes as happened in Egypt, Tunisia. He added that no Arab country including the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia will be excluded from mobilisation of political reforms.

He praised the attitude of Sultan Qaboos of Oman in his wise response to calls of protesters and his ability to calm down the protests in its cradle by reshuffling his cabinet and taking genuine steps to solve the problem by listening to people’s demands.

Asked his view on the future political map of the Arab world, he said the outcome of the collapse of dictatorial and corrupt regimes will be more democratic. The emergence of a free Arab World is imminent.

All hopes should be pinned on the Arab youth due to their strength and ability to mobilise the situation through modern communication technology. In the same context, on the issue of democracy in the Gulf countries, he said the United Arab Emirates was more advanced in development and social and humanitarian fields but there much to be done to promote freedom, human rights and democracy which are the most demanded at this time.

Dr Mohamed Abdullah Al Rokun, lecturer at the Faculty of Law in Emirates University, spoke on what is known as the new Arab World saying that a popular uprising in any Arab country can change the political scene in the entire region. He, however, added that the political scene in the GCC was different from other Arab countries such as Egypt and Tunisia. What is required in the GCC is reform rather than radical change. All GCC states need to establish institutions to provide civil and political rights to its citizens, he added.

Concerning Saudi Arabia, he said it was the most important country in the GCC and its stability and security was crucial for the reaming countries in the region. He concluded that the future of the whole Arab region is related with the failure or success of the political changes in Egypt and Tunisia.  The Peninsula