IRAQ: Push for sanity must come from within the region

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Att.Editors: The following item is by the United Arab Emirates news agency (WAM)

ABU DHABI, Mar 11 2003 (IPS) - Two major United Arab Emirates (UAE) dailies today commented on the Iraqi crisis including the tough diplomatic war at the UN Security Council between the pro-war and the anti-war camps, with each camp trying feverishly to get the Council on its side.

Commenting editorially under the topic – Iraq must act now", the Dubai-based ‘Gulf News’ said in part: ôSkirmishing has intensified at the United Nations for a war most of the world does not want. The United States is confident it will have its way when the Security Council votes on the issue. At the same time, Washington has chosen to hedge its bets, indicating that it may initiate war even before the proposed deadline of March 17.

ôGiven this attitude by the administration of George W. Bush, the Security Council vote may be an exercise in futility, going down in history instead as the moment when the disturbing precedent of unilateralism was institutionalized.

ôThe event will also be recorded as the instant when the United Nations was rendered irrelevant. Whatever the numbers game throws up, it is evident that the bombs will begin to drop on the hapless Iraqis. It is clear that lives will be sacrificed in shocking volumes at the altar of US exigency. Such a blot on the history of civilization will happen unless it is obviated by a strong and valid diplomatic initiative.

ôIt is here where the UAE initiative comes into its own. There is no way the headlong slide toward chaos in the Middle East in a post-war scenario can be halted unless the push for sanity comes from within the region. Saudi Arabia has reiterated its support for the UAE call that the Iraqi leadership retire thereby saving the Iraqi people further hardship and casualties. There is no other way by which exterior designs on the region can be denied implementation.

ôThere is much at stake here and the Iraqi leadership has a chance to out-maneuver those bent on attacking Iraq and redeem itself. There is only one way that the Iraqis themselves can survive the horror ahead and that is by acting on wise counsel."

Also commenting on the issue under the topic ôDollar diplomacy", the Dubai-based ‘Khaleej Times’ said in part: ôAs members of a deeply fractured UN Security Council prepare to enter a critical phase of the Iraq debate, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin and US Secretary of State Colin Powell have come to personify the tenacity of the opposite camps.

ôAs one of the five veto-wielding permanent members of the council, France could easily thwart a new resolution opening the way for military action against Iraq. But Paris, which has staked its international stature on challenging Washington’s rush to war, is evidently keen to assemble a clear majority against such a resolution.

ôDe Villepin’s tour of three African members of the Security Council is aimed at securing an enduring victory based on the latest reports by the top UN weapons inspectors indicating that some real disarmament had been achieved in Iraq.

ôPowell, for his part, has said he would not be surprised by a veto from France. Nevertheless, he sees a ‘strong chance’ that the 15-member council would eventually approve the kind of resolution the US wanted. Washington would evidently see a moral victory in a resolution that is backed by a majority of the members, even if it were to be brought down by a veto.

ôFor both camps, the six ‘undecided’ members – Angola, Cameroon, Chile, Guinea, Mexico and Pakistan – have become prized partners ahead of a vote that could take place as early as today.

ôPeculiar as it might sound in view of the growing international clamor for a diplomatic solution to the Iraqi crisis, Powell’s confidence can be explained by some of the tactics Washington has been employing.

ôAmong the other three permanent members, Britain has been firmly on the US side from the start. It is being said that the US is pushing for a second UN resolution primarily because it is of utmost importance to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has taken immense political risks in standing by Washington.

ôWhile Russia and China have publicly backed France’s call to allow more time for the UN inspectors, US officials believe other considerations could induce Moscow and Beijing to abstain on promises of concessions on such issues as Taiwan and human rights.

ôThe six ‘swing voters’ for their part, would be amenable to a range of financial incentives.

ôDuring appearances on Sunday television shows, Condoleezza Rice, President George W. Bush’s national security adviser, stopped short of confirming that economic aid formed part of discussions with some of the six countries.

ôThe fact that the Iraq debate has veered away from its intrinsic merits provides a sad comment on the state of international diplomacy."

IRAQ: Push for sanity must come from within the region

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Att.Editors: The following item is by the United Arab Emirates news agency (WAM)

ABU DHABI, Mar 11 2003 (IPS) - Two major United Arab Emirates (UAE) dailies today commented on the Iraqi crisis including the tough diplomatic war at the UN Security Council between the pro-war and the anti-war camps, with each camp trying feverishly to get the Council on its side.
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