When west met east

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British Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited Middle Eastern countries recently to ask them to contribute to the global economic recovery. Here's how the exchange of views between the west and the Middle East made headlines.

Associated Press

"British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is heading to the oil-rich Middle East to try to bolster the international funding pot available to countries struggling amid the global credit crisis" said the AP.

"Brown is pushing for Middle Eastern countries to be among the biggest donors to an expanded International Monetary Fund, but analysts warn money will only be forthcoming if regional leaders get more power in any new world economic order."

The press agency quoted Jeremy Batstone-Carr, head of research at the Charles Stanley investment firm in London. "It will depend very much on whether they feel they have been properly involved in the dialogue about the future, rather than lectured to," he said.

According to Associated Press, Brown had said ahead of his trip that "it's the countries that have got substantial reserves, the oil-rich countries and others who are going to be the biggest contributors to this fund."

Arabian Business - United Arab Emirates

"Brown will arrive at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in the afternoon where he will take part in two events," embassy spokesperson Simon Goldsmith told Arabian Business.

"The objectives of the first meeting are an exchange of views on the effects of the credit crunch, future investment strategies, opportunities under the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 and innovation and entrepreneurship," the AB quoted Goldsmith.

"The second event is organised by the UAE chapter of the Young Arab Leaders, during which Brown will meet with DIFC governor Omar bin Sulaiman and address the Young Arab Leaders and British business groups."

Goldsmith said Brown would announce at the meeting that the next Young Arab Leaders would take place in the UK in 2009.

The Guardian - United Kingdom

"Gordon Brown said he felt confident that he has successfully enlisted the help of Gulf states for international plans for an emergency bail-out fund," said The Guardian.

"Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia are indicating they will offer funds when leaders of the 20 most developed countries meet in Washington in a fortnight.

"As the prime minister arrived in Qatar on the second leg of his whistlestop Gulf tour, the Qataris hinted they would contribute money to an International Monetary Fund bail-out fund - being billed as a "new Bretton Woods" after the initiative of 1944 - the details of which will be thrashed out in Washington on November 15."

The paper quoted Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani: "We are sharing the same world. Qatar is not excluded, so we have to work together."

It also cited Brown on the BBC's Sunday AM programme speaking after his private conversation with the King of Saudi Arabia. "The Saudis will, I think, contribute so we can have a bigger fund worldwide ... Brown's diplomacy appears to have been in the face of some disquiet among Arab leaders that they are being looked to to provide funds to shore up ailing countries," the story continued.

"A senior government source involved in the talks said the Arab states did not want to be cast as the West's "cash cow".

The Times - United Kingdom

"The visit comes days after Barclay's bank announced £3.5 billion of investment from Abu Dhabi's ruling family and £2.3 billion from Qatar, where Mr Brown arrived yesterday afternoon," said the paper.

"Lord Mandelson said that the Saudis and other Gulf states would now expect a bigger role in global institutions in return for their investment. "These are the new kids on the block. And we can't do this by simply paying lip service to these emerging economies. We have to treat them as equals."

"Mr Brown also struck an upbeat tone about the British economy on this trip ... "Of course, we have also got low interest rates compared to previous world downturns, so the building blocks for a recovery are in place," he was quoted as saying.

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