The different performance of the Arab League [Archives:2006/920/Opinion]
By: Prof. Abdulaziz Al-Tarb
Arab masses and regimes too, have been used to address their rage, especially in the situation of national receding, to the League of Arab states (AL) and deem it responsible for mistakes of the Arab world and mistakes of its regional policies. Nevertheless now is the high time to have a just and fair stance with regard this big national establishment. The reason is that the AL is the resultant of certain policies and different policies, but it is not the cause of them or the factor leading to them. Recently there has happened a change that makes us say with confidence that credibility of the AL has climbed up and a considerable amount of criticism against it is no longer proper.
The visit of the AL Secretary-General Amr Mousa to Iraq and the balanced performance during the visit and preparation for it makes us mention that the image of the AL has changed and it is unfair to accuse it of negligence. The Secretary-General's visit has shifted the Iraqi question from the international arena to the regional arena and clearly presented the importance of Iraq's Arab dimension and its future in addition to the objective handling that the Secretary-General has focused in his visit and his dealing with all the Iraqi political spectrum. He started in that with Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, al-Hakim to president Talabani and the leader Masud al-Barazani and through all leaders of the Sunni Arabs in Iraq. That visit, in our opinion, bears many indications and implications to tackle with in the following remarks.
Iraq has been and maybe is still on the verge of a hole of national collapse and disintegration of identity and maybe probabilities of dismembering the state and consolidating the spirit of division in the state, as a result of long years of human suffering, continuous wars and successive confrontations. All that had led some forces to dare to impinge on Iraq's Arab affiliation and its integrity under bloody violence unprecedented in the region as a whole.
The AL's role before the visit of the Secretary-General resulted in a tangible impact in the direction of peaceful settlement of that bloody conflict. The AL has contributed to enrich the dialogue on the new Iraqi constitution and more than that it has succeeded in giving an indication on Iraq's Arab identity, though that did not meet the Arab ambitions. Nevertheless, it remains to be an embodiment of Iraq's identity as it is one of the countries that founded the AL. this indication does not contradict other nationalities in Iraq but represents a guarantee to them.
The Secretary-General mission has succeeded in alleviating the crisis of trust that was prevalent in the Iraqi spirit towards the Arab brethren. His visit to all Iraqi leaderships and addressing the Kurdish parliament was as a cordial message on coexistence between the Arab and Kurdish nationalities. His call for reconciliation was as an Arab call that all cal gather behind for support.
The Arab League action has also become an indicator for the United States and the west in general that the Arabs would stand hand folded and would not abandon Iraq, the great Arab country with its history and potentials. The Arab League entering into the arena of conflict in Iraq has prepared the minds on possibility of Iraqi reconciliation and stopping the violence that has exceeded all the limits.
The Arab League efforts before, during and after the visit of its Secretary-General proved that ethical pluralism is not contradiction of Arabism and coexistence of nationalities does not threat Iraq's integrity and national cohesion. It is especially so under international and regional circumstances that all suggest the absence of Arab joint action and disappearance of efforts aimed at delivering the region from a deteriorated situation to a better one to get out from violence and ethnic and religious conflicts.
The Arab League role in Iraq opens the a way for regional dialogue surpassing national boundaries to approach the geography partners in Iran and possibly in Turkey too, as they play a role they don't seem in full control of because of the national division in Iraq. It is a role reminding us of the AL's similar efforts in the Sudanese question.
The step taken by the AL towards the Iraqi question represents an approach to the question of the Gulf security and gives the AL a special situation before states whose relationship with this national establishment is almost changing to a faint light. The reason is that the Gulf Cooperation Council has managed to create a regional status diminishing effectiveness of the national role of the AL in the Gulf region.s
We believe that activation of the AL role in the Iraqi issue opens a hopeful door to the conflicting Iraqi forces. It was eye-catching that the big acts of violence relatively stopped or calmed down during the presence of the AL Secretary-General on the Iraqi territories. This is something to add to his asset.
The bridges the AL built with the Arab Shiites and Kurdish Sunnis was a step on the right course. Severance of communication with the effective forces in any crisis is a big historical mistake. Therefore the AL has made a required inroad, despite of all precautions. I have to admit that the mission of the Arab League did not fully succeed. On the Iraqi side there are some backing down by some forces, suspicions by other some and reservations by some. We cannot perceive that solution of the Iraqi issue can be achieved within weeks or even months because the wounds are so deep, the circumstances are undulated and conflicts continuous.
Those have been same remarks on the national performance of the Arab League under its Secretary-General Amr Mousa and the increasing activity of its general secretariat in the late months. It is a mater suggesting trust and calling for satisfaction and also gives the AL credibility it is in need of. It has a direct impact on the Iraqi people who feel to be isolated from their Arab nation and possibilities of dividing them is something probable in the tone of some of the forces participating in the Iraqi political process.
No doubt, the role of the Arab League in Iraq represents a qualitative transfer for it. It is no longer just an establishment receiving news then issuing statements that denounce and condemn. It suggests to have become an effective national tool in a balanced framework. I presume that the genuine job of the Arab League is embodied in such initiatives that are considered positive and different from all negative reactions the Arabs have known about their official establishments over the past decades. I may here submit three important ideas.
First, I am one of those who think that Israel is the major mastermind of the American policies in the region. This includes fostering of Iraq invasion from the beginning and fabrication of the story of weapons of mass destruction. Thus it is normal for the Arab League to shoulder an essential responsibility in dealing with the Iraqi question as it is an Arab national matter not less important than the Palestinian cause.
Second, The Kurdish fears from Arabism of Iraq becomes meaningless under openness of the Arab League towards that sisterly nationality, taking into account the joint human heritage between the Arabs and the Kurds throughout various stages of history. The greatest leader in the history of the Arabs Saladin al-Ayoubi who liberated Jerusalem from the Crusades is a Kurd.
Third, Efforts of the Arab League come in a time when there is a talk about holding an emergency Arab summit, an idea that has become dead. Now we are waiting for holding the regular annual summit, as defined the amendment adopted in 2000.
In conclusion, we want to welcome the initiative taken by the Arab League Secretary-General, deeming it a change in the traditional course of the League role. We also admit that the asset and chance of the Arab League in solving problems seems very limited. Therefore, we address the Arab mind in its awakening that has begun to reflect on steps of political reform and realization of goals related to the national security and the higher interest of the homeland. I would like to add that the efforts exerted by the Arab League will contribute to improve the image of the AL and to be added to its positives related to it throughout years. They will also be witness on Iraq's Arabism and in defense and protection of it.
Prof. Abdulaziz Al-Tarb is an economist and a professor in Political Science and an expert in administrative development. He is the head of a number of professional associations, such as the Arab Group for Investment and Development.
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