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'Persian Gulf islands, insaparable part of Iran'
IranMania.com
Sep 15th, 2004
LONDON,Sep 15 (IranMania) - Iran reiterated Tuesday its "total sovereignty" over three Persain Gulf islands claimed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), state media reported.
"Any claims against the territorial integrity of Islamic Republic of Iran and its possession of its regional waters, air space or economy are condemned," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi was quoted as saying by AFP in reaction to a final declaration from a Persian Gulf Cooperation Council summit.
"The three islands of the Greater and Lesser Tunbs as well as Abu Musa are inseparable parts of Iranian soil," Asefi asserted.
According to the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA, ministers from the GCC states meeting in Saudi Arabia on Monday renewed their support for the United Arab Emirates regrading the "three islands occupied by Iran".
Iran has controlled the three islands since the withdrawal of British forces from the region in 1971.
The UAE was established in 1971 following Britain's pullout from the region, shortly after Tehran took control of the islands situated roughly halfway between the two countries.
The GCC groups the gas- and oil-rich states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=25307&NewsKind=Current%20Affairs
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040914-074600-7697r.htm