| March 4, 2003 | Tuesday | Zul Hijjah 30, 1423 |
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Karachi protest rally
Khalid Sheikh’s arrest
THE unity and solidarity shown by the Arab governments at last Saturday’s Arab League summit conference at Sharm el-Sheikh, one hopes, is not a passing phenomenon and that the Arab countries will continue to present a united front on the Iraqi issue. The communique issued at the end of the summit shows a commendable degree of unanimity, strongly opposing an attack on Iraq and stressing that a military strike on any Arab country would constitute “a direct threat to Arab national security.” The summit, therefore, decided that no Arab country would participate in any military action against Iraq. The communique, thus, serves to dispel the impression that the Arab states have failed to evolve a common strategy on what indeed is one of the gravest crises facing them and the Muslim world generally. Many observers of the world scene today are often struck by the disunity in the Arab ranks. While it is true that every Arab country’s foreign policy must be dictated by its national interests, this need not stand in the way of a united stand on issues commonly affecting all or most of them as in the present case. By acting together and presenting a united front in the face of common dangers or in pursuit of regional interests, the Arab countries have a better chance of promoting their individual and collective geopolitical and economic interests.
The Arabs have many advantages, besides oil, that can stand them in good stead. Their geographical situation is a major factor in the calculations of all big powers. The Arab countries form a contiguous land mass, stretching from the Persian Gulf bordering South Asia to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast south of Europe. Lying astride the pathways of civilizations and modern communication and trade channels, the Arab states will always be an important factor in world affairs. Through unity and an intelligent coordination of economic, defence and foreign policies they can enhance their clout and better safeguard their interests. Divided, they will always be vulnerable to manipulation, arm twisting and blackmail.
So far, on the Iraqi crisis, the Arab states have acted with diffidence. Some leading states have prevaricated on the issue, others said they would oppose an American attack but later relented by saying that they would cooperate with the US if war was sanctioned by the UN. For the first time, however, the Arab League has come out so openly against an invasion of Iraq and made it abundantly clear that such an offensive would constitute an attack on all Arab countries. One hopes the Arab countries will continue to pursue this fearless course of action which they have adopted now. A failure to stand united at this critical time will not hurt Iraq alone; it will do incalculable harm to the whole of the Arab and Muslim world. The victors will re-draw the Middle East’s map in a manner that will perhaps make Israel the dominant power in the region. The verbal duel between Prince Abdullah and President Gaddafi — seen live on TV by millions — was most unfortunate. It is tendencies such as these that the Arabs need to check. Differences are there to be sorted out and not to be made a public display of in a manner that will make the Arabs a laughing stock in the eyes of the world.
THE massive anti-war rally in Karachi on Sunday offered a clear reflection of the angry public mood in Pakistan over an impending US attack on Iraq. Although scattered protests organized by diverse groups had earlier taken place in various parts of the country, this was by far the largest and most impressive anti-war show of all. Pakistan has now joined the ranks of the long list of countries that have witnessed huge anti-US protest rallies over the Iraq issue. The Karachi rally was organized by the six-party Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), which clearly put in a great deal of organizational effort into making the rally a success. While fiery anti-American speeches and emotional slogans marked the rally, the gathering was peaceful and disciplined. MMA leaders lashed out at the US, terming the Iraq crisis nothing more than a bid to grab the Muslim world’s resources, particularly oil. The speakers called on Pakistan to use its vote in the Security Council against the Americans and demanded a public boycott of US goods and services.
In a welcome show of conciliation and broad-mindedness, the speakers also claimed that the rally was part of the global movement against war, regardless of the religion of the protesters elsewhere. This impressive show of strength clearly showed that a sense of outrage and anger among the people is running high and could be further inflamed should an actual attack on Iraq take place. When and if the fighting begins, Pakistan is clearly going to be a major flashpoint of anger and revulsion. The government should pay heed to the voices from the street and act with tact and wisdom over the Iraq issue. It must realize that the Karachi rally, largely organized as it was by the religious parties, represented only a small section of the population that is against a US-led war on Iraq. A far greater number from across the political spectrum feel a similar antipathy to American policies in the region.
WASHINGTON and Islamabad seem to be elated after the arrest in Rawalpindi of Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks and a key aide of Osama bin Laden, perhaps second only to Ayman Al Zawahiri. US officials claim that the suspect, whose capture carries a reward of $25 million, was planning massive attacks on American interests as early as this spring and that the arrest will significantly affect Al Qaeda’s operational ability since he was its chief planner. He is believed to have been plotting attacks against western interests as far back as 1995, including the assassination attempt on the Pope on a visit to the Philippines. In fact, law enforcement officials also believe that the arrested suspect is the one who slit US journalist Daniel Pearl’s throat last year. Khalid Sheikh was found not in a remote or hidden place but in a home in an affluent neighbourhood of Pindi, and was apparently fast asleep when the arresting party forced its way in. His arrest from the home of a local Jamaat-i-Islami leader might embarrass the party since all along it has denied any link with Al Qaeda.
The Kuwaiti-born suspect is currently being interrogated by a joint team of Pakistani and American investigators at an undisclosed location. The government has vehemently denied reports that he is in US custody, the interior minister claiming he is “very much here”. However, the information minister has been quoted as saying that though Khalid is now in Pakistani custody there is no telling where he might be in the future. It is important for the government to stick to the law of the land in handling such sensitive cases. While there may be some truth in that this arrest might weaken Al Qaeda’s ability to launch attacks against western interests, retaliation might follow, perhaps even inside Pakistan. One hopes that the government will be prepared to deal with any kind of situation arising from Khalid Sheikh Mohammad’s arrest.