Saudi Political Eloquence
Jamil Ziabi Al-Hayat - 17/07/06//
You will not find a single Arab who does not deplore and condemn Israeli criminal acts. We know very well the level of Zionist barbarism and arrogance, and we also know how cheap Arab blood is for them and how priceless Jewish blood is.
Last night, after the escalation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia made a statement which was described by an observer as 'courageous' and 'clear', and far from political hypocrisy - which is a customary characteristic of some of the Arab countries when situations become complicated and conflicts are raging.
In the statement, the Kingdom expressed its deep concern about the painful and bloody events in Palestine and Lebanon, but it expressed its position unequivocally, saying: "There has to be a differentiation between legitimate resistance and the uncalculated adventures of some elements within the State and overseas, without recourse to the legitimate authority in its country, and without consultation or co-ordination with the Arab states, triggering an extremely serious
situation which could subject all Arab nations and its achievements to destruction, without taking into consideration the opinion of these states".
The Saudi statement went on to say, "The Kingdom sees that it is time for these elements to single-handedly shoulder the full responsibility for this irresponsible behavior, and that the burden of ending the crisis it has created falls on them alone".
From the wording of the statement it is clear that it lacks the bombastic preamble of condemnation, denunciation and political hypocrisy. It explained and evaluated the situation as it should be. Consequently, the statement was transparent, and it articulately expressed the Saudi position toward the behavior of some elements - whether in Palestine, Lebanon or elsewhere - who take 'unintentional' actions that have 'undesirable consequences'. These actions could drag the whole region into war, and could lead to devastation and destruction.
Saudi Arabia believed, and still believes, in the right of peoples under occupation to resist and reject the occupation's illegal measures to obliterate identity and change the facts on the ground. This is their unswerving position; however, each stage has its calculations and responses, which requires everyone to realize that the security, stability and the future of the region are in the interests of everyone, and that political maneuvers that serve self-interests benefit no one. This was the same position adopted by the Saudi cabinet last week.
The Saudi statement bore the tone of censure and blame for the actions of elements that stumble into the pitfall of uncalculated and irresponsible adventures, without co-ordination or consultation with the legitimate authorities in their respective states.
To be more explicit, given that the Lebanese cabinet declared it was not aware of Hezbollah's plan, did Hezbollah estimate the price that would be paid for the capture of two Israeli soldiers and the killing eight others, without recourse to its legitimate authority, and by goading the Israeli bull? Does Hezbollah not know that its act has exploded the situation in Lebanon and has scuttled the inter-Lebanese negotiations, which do not involve any Arab or foreign party? Does this act serve the Syrian-Iranian interests at the expense of the Lebanese ones? Did Hezbollah estimate the consequences of what it had done, including the possibility of Israeli counter-aggression? Is the military might of Hezbollah equal to Israel's, or will it just take Lebanon decades back?
We believe in the legitimacy of resistance, but not in uncalculated adventures and maneuvers based on positions that do not serve the interests of nations and the region. Saudi Arabia and Egypt exert overt efforts, but they are hampered by political and diplomatic obstacles laid almost intentionally to alter the political equations and balances for the benefit of each party at the expense of the other, without paying heed to the importance of security, safety, stability and the values of common interests.
When maneuvers and adventures are based on shortsighted action, the result will be 'undesirable consequences'. It will be at the expense of innocent lives and the destruction of homelands and properties, because such an act is the response to foreign, political conceptions. Confrontations of any kind must be carefully studied and should be based on the strength of the other parties.
National interest dictates that the decision of any State must come from inside, not outside, and must be unanimous in order not to thwart aggressive policies, such as Israel's, that seek to impose hegemony and unilateral solutions and decisions. Israel wants to extend the battle to all the Arab countries to create a much worse situation in the region, where more blood will be spilled and wounded people and martyrs will be commonplace.
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