english.daralhayat.com 2008/12/04 20:17 GMT

Ayoon wa Azan (Arab Reform)

Jihad Al Khazen Al-Hayat 2004/05/22

Jordanian Foreign Minister Dr. Marwan Al Muasher considered the Arab Reform document prepared by the Arab Foreign Ministers to be very good; but added that the real challenge is in its implementation.

What is required is a programmed implementation that would not frighten governments, and at the same time provides benefits to their people. Muasher repeated that the challenge resides in implementation, as the document is an announcement of principles, and not a working plan; and the transformation of the document into such a plan is the duty of the signatory countries; since every country would implement it according to its own conditions.

At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Aqaba, I reviewed with Muasher the results of the ministers' meeting in Cairo, and what to expect from the Summit.

He said that the ministers have agreed on all the decisions, and the leaders had the right to change what they deem necessary.

I asked the Arab League's Secretary General Amro Moussa about his expectations from the Summit; he said that there is an agreement on four principle files: Palestine, Iraq, Arab reform, and activation of the League; but he preferred not to go into details in order not anticipate what the meetings of the leaders in Tunisia would come out with.

Moussa said that there is a large Arab resentment because of the American promises given to Israel, which are related to essential matters in the Arab-Israeli conflict; the Arab ministers responded with their decisions in Cairo, as well as with changing the title of the WEF in Aqaba from "reform" to "the peace process," because of the complete American bias in favor of Israel.

I spoke to the Secretary General during the forum, and later called him in Cairo in order to clear out some points; he confirmed that the insistence on the Arab initiative, which constitutes the Arab stance vis-à-vis the Israeli conflict. As for the problem of refuges, borders, and other basic issues, it remains contained within references that the Arab stance could not get out of.

I noticed that the Secretary General, during his speech at the conference and his talk with me, insisted on the necessity of ending the tension between the Arabs and the United States, and said that this requires bilateral steps.

I found Jordanian officials to be relieved because of the success of Jordan in fixing the reference of peace, after the meeting between King Abdullah and President Bush; they pointed out to the success of Jordan in re-launching a Palestinian-American dialogue; Prime Minister Mahmoud Qureih met with Secretary of State Colin Powell, and then with National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.

Jordan is taking advantage of its good relations with the United States, in order to help the Palestinians. However, Muasher knows the limits of Jordan's influence, and the letter to King Abdullah is not enough; there must be a return to the Roadmap.

The Foreign Minister thinks that the issue of withdrawal from the Gaza Strip could be negative or positive. It could be positive if the withdrawal includes handing the power over to the Palestinian National Authority, and opening all terrestrial, maritime, and aerial outlets.

Muasher said that if these elements of withdrawal were complete, as part of the Roadmap, the withdrawal would be positive. However, if the withdrawal from Gaza is a substitute to the withdrawal from the West Bank, this would be a negative development that Arabs would refuse.

There is no way to talk about a plan that modifies the withdrawal, or lighten it, because the original withdrawal was not accepted with all its details. They must be completely altered, as it is impossible to accept the control over the port, airport, or checkpoints, and the right of return to the Gaza Strip if this is needed."

Throughout the three days of the WEF, King Abdullah spoke with honesty and boldness about the current problems, and the existence of three or four competing levels in the Palestinian leadership. Moreover, Hamas's agenda does not help in pushing the peace process forward. He warned about excluding the Sunnis in Iraq, and from the dangers of sectarian strife there. When he was asked about American policy, he said that the mutual misunderstanding with Arabs, led to destructive levels, and there is great anger against the U.S. among Arab countries, and throughout the world, because of its biased policy; people see Israeli tanks confronting Palestinians, and American tanks confronting Iraqis, which complicates Jordan's mission, and destroys the reputation of the U.S.

I found Muasher to be more optimistic about the Arab-Arab situation, after the conference of the Foreign Ministers where agreement was reached; he confirmed that the document of reform will surprise everyone with its level of dealing with all the required fields of reform.

Muasher said that it is impossible for the Tunisia Summit to fail, after it was postponed from last March. While the postponement was not necessary, the general Arab condition has since improved, which will contribute to the success of the Summit this time around.

What I will say is that wisdom is in implementation, and I will personally be satisfied if Arab leaders agree to take decisions by majority and not by unanimity, and agree on a mechanism of implementation afterwards.

<h1>Ayoon wa Azan (Arab Reform)</h1><h4>Jihad Al Khazen     Al-Hayat     2004/05/22</h4>Jordanian Foreign Minister Dr. Marwan Al Muasher considered the Arab Reform document prepared by the Arab Foreign Ministers to be very good; but added that the real challenge is in its implementation.What is required is a programmed implementation that would not frighten governments, and at the same time provides benefits to their people. Muasher repeated that the challenge resides in implementation, as the document is an announcement of principles, and not a working plan; and the transformation of the document into such a plan is the duty of the signatory countries; since every country would implement it according to its own conditions.At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Aqaba, I reviewed with Muasher the results of the ministers' meeting in Cairo, and what to expect from the Summit.He said that the ministers have agreed on all the decisions, and the leaders had the right to change what they deem necessary.I asked the Arab League's Secretary General Amro Moussa about his expectations from the Summit; he said that there is an agreement on four principle files: Palestine, Iraq, Arab reform, and activation of the League; but he preferred not to go into details in order not anticipate what the meetings of the leaders in Tunisia would come out with.Moussa said that there is a large Arab resentment because of the American promises given to Israel, which are related to essential matters in the Arab-Israeli conflict; the Arab ministers responded with their decisions in Cairo, as well as with changing the title of the WEF in Aqaba from "reform" to "the peace process," because of the complete American bias in favor of Israel.I spoke to the Secretary General during the forum, and later called him in Cairo in order to clear out some points; he confirmed that the insistence on the Arab initiative, which constitutes the Arab stance vis-à-vis the Israeli conflict. As for the problem of refuges, borders, and other basic issues, it remains contained within references that the Arab stance could not get out of.I noticed that the Secretary General, during his speech at the conference and his talk with me, insisted on the necessity of ending the tension between the Arabs and the United States, and said that this requires bilateral steps.I found Jordanian officials to be relieved because of the success of Jordan in fixing the reference of peace, after the meeting between King Abdullah and President Bush; they pointed out to the success of Jordan in re-launching a Palestinian-American dialogue; Prime Minister Mahmoud Qureih met with Secretary of State Colin Powell, and then with National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.Jordan is taking advantage of its good relations with the United States, in order to help the Palestinians. However, Muasher knows the limits of Jordan's influence, and the letter to King Abdullah is not enough; there must be a return to the Roadmap.The Foreign Minister thinks that the issue of withdrawal from the Gaza Strip could be negative or positive. It could be positive if the withdrawal includes handing the power over to the Palestinian National Authority, and opening all terrestrial, maritime, and aerial outlets.Muasher said that if these elements of withdrawal were complete, as part of the Roadmap, the withdrawal would be positive. However, if the withdrawal from Gaza is a substitute to the withdrawal from the West Bank, this would be a negative development that Arabs would refuse.There is no way to talk about a plan that modifies the withdrawal, or lighten it, because the original withdrawal was not accepted with all its details. They must be completely altered, as it is impossible to accept the control over the port, airport, or checkpoints, and the right of return to the Gaza Strip if this is needed."Throughout the three days of the WEF, King Abdullah spoke with honesty and boldness about the current problems, and the existence of three or four competing levels in the Palestinian leadership. Moreover, Hamas's agenda does not help in pushing the peace process forward. He warned about excluding the Sunnis in Iraq, and from the dangers of sectarian strife there. When he was asked about American policy, he said that the mutual misunderstanding with Arabs, led to destructive levels, and there is great anger against the U.S. among Arab countries, and throughout the world, because of its biased policy; people see Israeli tanks confronting Palestinians, and American tanks confronting Iraqis, which complicates Jordan's mission, and destroys the reputation of the U.S.I found Muasher to be more optimistic about the Arab-Arab situation, after the conference of the Foreign Ministers where agreement was reached; he confirmed that the document of reform will surprise everyone with its level of dealing with all the required fields of reform.Muasher said that it is impossible for the Tunisia Summit to fail, after it was postponed from last March. While the postponement was not necessary, the general Arab condition has since improved, which will contribute to the success of the Summit this time around.What I will say is that wisdom is in implementation, and I will personally be satisfied if Arab leaders agree to take decisions by majority and not by unanimity, and agree on a mechanism of implementation afterwards.