From Amman to Beirut, Words or Deeds!
Beirut, the bride of the Mediterranean, is to witness Arabs periodical
forthcoming Summit, 27-28 March, 2002. Two Years after President Bashar Assad
declared in Cairo , September 21, 2000 that "he did not find any excuse for not
holding an Arab summit in a regular way", Arab leaders coming to the city very
well know the missions standing, the possible and impossible; however, Arab
citizens, more than 200 millions, are gazing impatiently, some burning with
so-far seemingly silent wrath contemplating whether the Summit is to be a mere
echoing of the past cries, condemnations, blasts, calls, trading accusations,
shy resolutions or what? Be Sure, no one asks the Summit neither to invent
miracles nor to marble the sea. The masses do urge their leaders in the name of
our martyrs blood to shelf differences, and separate agenda, " the Arab
differences would be less significant than the foreign danger threatening all
our countries and peoples" and focus on all’s concern at all levels including
the political, economic, and social ones among others.
At the political level, the masses indeed are eager for the realization of just
and comprehensive peace on the basis of the related resolutions, terms of
reference and principles. 12 years have elapsed since Madrid was initiated at
the US initiative as to realize peace on all tracks in implementation for the
internationally recognized UN resolutions. US President, George W. Bush and his
administration, regardless of its divergent agenda, has by now to reassure the
Arab Masses before their leaders of its genuine commitment to the realization of
the long sought for peace. Most of these very masses are horrified by the scenes
of horror in our region; rarely could a single human being accept the continued
flow of bloodletting. Any US hesitation, wrong calculation or delay would but
complicate the already delicate conditions; the United States has to stand up to
its declarations, principles and commitments; thus it is the Israeli turn now to
state clearly and sincerely its willingness to implement related resolutions.
Consequently, there would remain no reason for tension and violence surge; there
will be an era of cooperation, coexistence and normal relations where reform and
development would prosper in the entire region. Economically, Arabs have also to
consider their Monetary status, why not an Arab united Pound, Dinar whatsoever!
Is it the mission impossible, a formula could be reached; the Euro Zone is,
however, less harmonious! '' Boosting the mechanism of Arab joint actions at all
levels with no limits'' as President Bashar Assad outlines; the long awaited for
free zones, joint markets, free trade flow, double taxation evasions, joint
investments are in comma! Inter-Arab investment, industrial manufacturing, trade
facilities would help. How could an Arab starve in the streets of countries that
the Arab money prospers?
With this mind, every Arab has so far been pondering Amman Summit Final
Communiqué that "The Arab leaders discussed the dangers that the Palestinian are
passing through as a result of the large scale aggression launched by Israeli
occupation forces using all kinds of weapons including those internationally
prohibited in addition to the strict economic siege , the continuation of
settlement policy and the demolition of (Palestinian) homes in flagrant
violation of all international charters and conventions." The conditions by now
are even worse! The number of those passing away daily are on the increase! The
Israeli brutality was even spiraling in full swing amid news leaks regarding a
new sinister scheme to be carried out by Sharon following the Summit! namely, to
translate his long dreamt of transfer plan into a de facto!
The Arab leaders "called on the states to Geneva 1949 Agreement to hold a
international conference as soon as possible to take necessary measures to
ensure protection for the Palestinian civilians and they asked the UN Security
Council to try Israeli war criminals who committed massacres and crimes against
Arab citizens in all occupied Arab territories and outside". Further, "They
expressed their deep displeasure at the use of the veto by the United States
against the Security Council draft resolution on protecting the Palestinian
people and forming UN forces to monitor the situation in Palestinian land. The
also expressed total rejection of the American justifications in this regard .
The Arab leaders warned Israel from what might happen in case it gets away from
terms of references and the principles upon which the peace process was launched
in Madrid in 1991. They stressed that the Syrian and Lebanese (peace) tracks are
inseparable and they are linked with the Palestinian track. They affirmed their
adherence to the Security Council resolutions pertinent to the status of
Jerusalem and decided to suspend the Arab countries' participation in the Middle
East multilateral peace talks and to continue halting all forms of economic
regional cooperation with Israel. They decided to stand firm in face of Israel's
infiltration in the Arab world under any pretext and to stop establishing any
form of relations with Israel. What has so far been achieved? The more of
massacres and killings might be the only answer! Arab masses displeasure is even
more felt amid nuclear threats and bids to garner support as to launch a strike
against an Arab country shattered by unjust sanctions!
They called for "activating the Arab boycott to Israel through holding regular
boycott conferences called for by the main boycott office that aims to prevent
dealings with Israel under the laws of boycott. They (Arab leaders) affirmed
their complete solidarity with Syria and Lebanon as well as their rejection of
the recent increasing threats against these two countries, the Arab countries
and the Palestinian people. They called for drawing up a clear cut strategy to
expose Israeli plots which do not serve peace and threaten security and
stability in the region. The Arab leaders asserted support to Lebanon to help
the country liberate its land in full including Chebba Farms. They hailed the
Lebanese resistance and demanded the release of Lebanese prisoners in Israel.
They affirmed that achieving durable peace and security requires from Israel to
enter into the international treaty banning the infiltration of nuclear weapons
and to make Israel's nuclear facilities subject to international inspection
stressing in the meantime to make the Middle East region free from all forms of
weapons of mass destruction. The Arab leaders gave special attention to Arab
economic integration and they are taking necessary steps to activate it. They
also gave due attention to developing Arab capabilities in the fields of
information technology and telecommunications being vital for coordination at
the Arab level. No prisoner has so far been set free save Palestinian Authority
Chairman, who was recently, following a three-month confinement in Ramallah,
given a hint by Sharon to leave Ramallah Prison, but where to following the
destruction of so called headquarters! Israeli nuclear facilities are even more
threat today amid news leaks by the Los Angeles Times of a US possible use of
nukes against some countries! One wonders whether these weapons would serve the
region security and stability when the US, Britain, Israel leave no stone
unturned as to deny Arabs their self-defense weapons; amid insistence to send
so-called weapons inspectors to Baghdad, the need is dire first and foremost to
dispatch dozens of inspectors to Israel, armed to teeth with all means of mass
destruction and killing. Israel should have by now learnt that such piles could
never be deterrence once the region shakes! Considering demography and geography
factors, Israel itself would pay the heaviest price once these weapons are to be
used! It is peace which can only bring security and stability not only for
Israel but for every body in the region.
Your Excellencies, Highness, and Majesties, you are called upon to unanimously
agree as not to disagree and as President Assad stated in Amman, March 27, 2001,
to take '' courageous decisions'' through the Summit with a ' responsible and
frank dialogue" ' hence our people aspire for many outcomes from the summit''
and to'' boost the mechanism of Arab joint actions at all levels with no
limits''. The masses of your people are in waiting for your long-awaited for
sound, rational and workable plans of action
Mohammad Abdo Al-Ibrahim
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