shamsery
26-03-03, 12:39 PM
I am greatly disappointed by the outcome of the Arab League meet. The draft resolution adopted by its members has turned out to be ritualistic. Though it called for immediate withdrawal of US and British forces and criticized the invasion as 'an armed aggression that aims to occupy a member-state of the League', the resolution lacked the boldness with which the Arab world could have made a real difference. Since this was the first meeting after the war began, more stern reaction was expected from the League.
But then again, there doesn't seem to be unity among the Arab countries themselves while opposing this war. They seem to have forgotten that it was their responsibility to have done something concrete in terms of reaching a consensual position on the common threat they face in the shape of an escalated war. Some countries have already offered bases, some have committed troops to the US-British war effort. So, something more than a mere condemnation was called for, because waging a war against a sovereign country without a UN resolution is totally unacceptable.
The draft resolution sounds hollow, but it should not have been the case with the Arab League since it has all the ingredients for an effective resolution to be arrived at, given its comprehensive representative character. They were in the best position to create an atmosphere that could have diminished the plight and horror of the Iraqi people who have been suffering intensely for no fault of theirs since the bombing began. Just giving lip service like 'we are supporting our brothers in Iraq' is not really going to make any difference to their lives.
In fact, if the Arab League maintains such a facade, then where does the Muslim world seem to be any necessity for such an organisation to operate. It was a big disappointment for all of us that it could not come to a more solid and realistic decision on an issue that affects innocent people of a member country.
But then again, there doesn't seem to be unity among the Arab countries themselves while opposing this war. They seem to have forgotten that it was their responsibility to have done something concrete in terms of reaching a consensual position on the common threat they face in the shape of an escalated war. Some countries have already offered bases, some have committed troops to the US-British war effort. So, something more than a mere condemnation was called for, because waging a war against a sovereign country without a UN resolution is totally unacceptable.
The draft resolution sounds hollow, but it should not have been the case with the Arab League since it has all the ingredients for an effective resolution to be arrived at, given its comprehensive representative character. They were in the best position to create an atmosphere that could have diminished the plight and horror of the Iraqi people who have been suffering intensely for no fault of theirs since the bombing began. Just giving lip service like 'we are supporting our brothers in Iraq' is not really going to make any difference to their lives.
In fact, if the Arab League maintains such a facade, then where does the Muslim world seem to be any necessity for such an organisation to operate. It was a big disappointment for all of us that it could not come to a more solid and realistic decision on an issue that affects innocent people of a member country.