By NNN-KUNA,
Manama : British Secretary of Defense John Hutton said here Saturday terrorism, proliferation of nuclear weapons, health problem and climate change were key security challenges in the Gulf region.
Hutton, in a speech before the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, said fora like the one in the Bahraini capital would boost security of people.
Obviously the world was not at today’s level of economic and security cooperation, said Hutton, and understanding security needs would improve economic links between the people.
Globalisation is not a new phenomenon but it caused conflicts and war not peace, acknowledged the British official.
Terrorism is the biggest security threat, said Hutton who cited the attacks in Mumbai, Bali and Pakistan. He added that terrorism was indiscriminate against people and faiths. Roots of terrorism should be addressed with participation of the entire international community, Hutton went on.
Energy insecurity, he said, is a source of tension.
Hutton also warned against the spread of civil nuclear energy because this technology might be abused. Confidence and cooperation in civil energy should be enhanced, he said.
Hutton said Iran was the only country that did not accept offers to develop its nuclear program “peacefully” and it was evidence that Iran’s nuclear ambitions were “not peaceful.” He said Iran refused the UN resolutions related to its nuclear program.
He added that the proliferation of nuclear arms in the Middle East would be a disaster for all in the region.
Hutton said the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was doing remarkable efforts to shed security fears.