Disrupting the balance [Archives:2003/02/Viewpoint]

There is no doubt that Yemen’s leadership is having a very tough time trying to maintain a balance between satisfying the US in its war against ‘terror’ and not angering the public that objects to any help to the U.S.
The delicate balance has gone through turbulences, but was quickly maintained by wise decisions by the political leadership. The government survived the implications of the ’embarrassing’ assassination of al-Harithi by a CIA drone in November, and it escaped the scandal of the North Korea vessel carrying scud rockets to our country.
But what next?
How will the leadership maintain the balance in case of an war against Iraq? Yemen is requested to continue to assist the US in future moves, whether against Iraq or against any other nations. Why not if it all comes in harmony with the US-led war against ‘terror’?
I personally feel that all Arab nations are suffering from what we can call a state of severe stagnancy and passiveness. People don’t think, don’t react, don’t object, and don’t even comment anymore. The few hundred who write columns, preach at mosques or march in small demonstrations, reflect how weak we have become as a people.
Hence, the balance will be maintained because while people will continue to deal with daily life, they don’t give a damn of what is going on in the region. The extremely harsh conditions are enough to make people figure out ways to make ends meet regardless of what Palestinians or Iraqis are doing. Everyone is busy.
It is not anyone’s fault to live that way. They say a hungry man is an angry man. But the experience we are going through now makes us believe that a hungry man is also an easy-going man who cares more for his children than for the war against any other country.
We are already used to such events that trigger public emotions for a few days. We witness rallies and protests which later calm down and die slowly.
This happened for the Afghanistan war. It happened during the Palestinian Jenin massacres. And it wouldn’t be surprising if it will happen again in response to the war against Iraq.
All I want to say is that there should be no fears of the leadership that the people would cause any disturbance to the state. I am sure they wouldn’t because with life so harsh in every aspect imaginable, people are too busy looking after their own lives. There should be no fear from the public’s reaction because it is already dead. But what we should be worried about is the possible US reaction to what it could see as “insufficient cooperation of Yemen”.
Otherwise, the balance will live on, and could be eternal.

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