Sequestered "Quartet"

Abdulwahab Badrakhan     Al-Hayat     2003/09/15

The five major states, members of the Security Council, are trying to give the impression that they have a role to play in ongoing developments, especially in Iraq and Israel. But the word and deed - and sometimes the non-deed - are really up to the U.S. The Iraqi situation, from A to Z, depends on Washington's decisions. As for the Palestinian file, it appears that Israel has confiscated it, in conspiracy with the U.S. administration. This is why other countries are not making any moves, as they are nothing more than part of the international decor.    

True, there are discussions aimed at sharing responsibilities and expenses in Iraq, but the only goal is to alleviate the burden on the U.S., no more no less, even if the five countries reach preliminary agreements to facilitate their cooperation. However, the occupation has created a reality on the ground that far exceeds these agreements. Besides, the American authority over the Iraqi parties is too strong to be broken, and it is difficult for these parties, which are supposed to take over, to move without American consent. Hence, the Iraqi situation is already arranged and shut to changes, except for the few issues the Americans have failed to deal with, such as the need for additional troops and for financial aid for rebuilding the country.

Furthermore, the new reality in Iraq is still programmed towards being invested on the regional level. The Americans did not go to Iraq to busy themselves with its domestic affairs, which is what they are doing now, even though they are facing a situation they hadn't expected. They had planned to invade Iraq as part of a plan that paves the way for interventions in neighboring countries, mainly Iran, which was gradually drawn into a scenario, similar to the American one against pre-Saddam Iraq. Consecutive warnings and provocations by the international community against Iran (the EU is already in the 'game,' unrestrained), not to mention using the International Atomic and Energy Agency (IAEA) to submit the file to the Security Council following the last warning, then imposing sanctions and maybe an international resolution that would force Iran to submit to "inspections," similar to what happened in Iraq, with all its exaggerations and lies, did not attract others' attention to the need for adopting a different approach to solve the problem with Iran. The next thing you know, it will be said that the "Iranian nuclear weapon" poses a direct threat to the U.S., and that the goal is to "establish democracy" in Iran and rid its people from the current regime, rather than the weapons, as well as further nonsense that is only meant to cover for a new occupation in the region.

Either the major powers are working according to an international system governed by laws and principles, or according to a plan of American hegemony. If events are taking place in the name of laws and principles, then there is no objection to questioning Iran, North Korea or any other countries; but if the plan is designed to establish American hegemony, then this would explain why the Israeli nuclear weapon has not been questioned yet, and no one is expressing any concerns from the fact that it is in the hands of a gang of criminals that were "democratically elected."

In this case, the international system would be supporting the occupation of Palestinian territories and refusing any peaceful solution between Palestinians and Israelis, as long as it keeps silent towards the Israeli nuclear threat. Otherwise, the major countries would have acted differently regarding what is happening, instead of doing their best to adapt to the American biasness with Israel.

What positive results did the Quartet meeting in Geneva have? 'Reviving' the Roadmap? A 'message' that Sharon's government is supposed to understand, knowing that it made a decision to kill the Palestinian leader? The American President has already shown his reliance on his Israeli ally to prove, in the speech he made to declare having 'cancelled' Arafat from the people America would deal with, as to prove that he is aware of his responsibilities. However, the ally acted like a gang of criminals yearning for blood, and they have no plans but to kill and destroy, meaning to remove the others - Arafat and others - as long as they have the American license to kill without any restraints.

It is amazing how the representatives of the major countries would meet to look into a dangerous situation such as that in Palestine, without coming up with one practical measure. There is a killer about to pull the trigger, and the officials believe that their clinging to the Roadmap would frighten or keep him from doing so. The least that can be said about the Quartet is that it is the hostage of American shortsightedness, even the hostage of American whims. Sharon's ferocity will not be hindered by the Quartet's tone, but he will slow down a little bit until he resumes his violent actions through a series of assassinations, designed to draw reactions that would provide him with the opportunity to pursue his plans. The Quartet is fully aware that the situation in Palestine will not change unless it intervenes directly on the ground, but it has moved too late and its intervention will not take place unless it becomes useful in the sense that it imposes Sharon's terms of 'peace!'