Chaos in Iraq

THE bomb attack in Baghdad on Tuesday, in which the UN secretary-general’s special representative, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and several other people were tragically killed, is a devastating reminder of the chaos in which Iraq has been plunged since the US-led war against that country. The bomb was exploded outside a hotel housing UN headquarters, and it is being assumed that the perpetrators had specifically targetted the United Nations, which only the other day gave its approval to the Iraqi governing council set up by the US occupying power. The UN was not a party to the invasion of Iraq, but it has long played an intrusive role in the country, beginning with the crippling sanctions imposed after the first Gulf war and following that up with its prolonged weapons inspections. Many Iraqi nationalists, therefore, in their current mood of frustration and anger at the occupation of their country, would have reason to attack the UN as a symbol of the international community’s hostility to their cause.

However, the UN reflected the voice of moderation and sanity of many nations opposed to the Anglo-US attack, and though it was forced to accept the fait accompli in Iraq, there were hopes that it would be able to provide a more acceptable alternative to the structures of occupation. Its help would also be crucial in returning the country to a semblance of peace and stability. Those hopes have now been dealt a serious blow, and that is why Tuesday’s bombing will be condemned as an act of self-defeating violence. Mr de Mello had a record of helping Third World countries in moments of crisis, and in his Iraqi assignment his sympathies would have been with the people rather than with the occupying authority and the Iraqis might have reason to mourn his murder.

The incident must also be seen in the context of the spiral of violence set in motion by the US war on Iraq. It has come amidst a series of unsettling events ever since the war was officially declared to be over. There have been almost daily shootings at American troops, and more US soldiers are said to have been killed since the Saddam regime was ousted than during the war itself. There have been acts of sabotage, such as the blowing up of oil and water pipelines. Parts of Iraq where Saddam Hussein’s hold was strongest are witnessing what may turn into a prolonged guerilla or terrorist campaign. Iraq has become a far more dangerous place for its own people and for others than it was before the US-led invasion. And its economic and social fabric has been heavily damaged. Many Iraqis are living without jobs and essential commodities and services. There is some irony in President George Bush’s recent statement that Iraq’s infrastructure would soon be restored to its pre-war level: is it good strategy to destroy to rebuild, many people will ask.

The American policy of using its enormous power to deal knockout blows to solve political problems has always turned out to be counter-productive. Afghanistan is another example where the situation appears to be far worse than it was before the Americans went in. Elections have been promised in Iraq next year, but it is imperative that politicians and technocrats who enjoy the trust of the people are immediately associated with the task of governance, and a massive effort undertaken to rehabilitate the Iraqi economy. Continued deprivation will only breed more anger and militancy.

PS: The attack on the UN should have clarified minds in Islamabad about acceding to US requests for peacekeeping troops. All foolhardy talk of walking into the Iraqi trap in the present circumstances should stop.

Stable cement prices

THE assurance given by the All-Pakistan Cement Manufacturers’ Association (APCMA) that it will keep cement prices stable looks like an attempt to pull wool over the eyes of the government and the public. In response to demands to reduce cement prices after a 25 per cent reduction in Central Excise Duty (CED) on cement in this year’s budget, the APCMA has stated that all it can do is to ensure price stability at this stage, because a reduction in prices will be possible only if production rises. The association says this can happen if the demand for cement rises in response to incentives given by the government to the construction industry. This is like putting the cart before the horse.

Cement prices over the past few months have increased by over 35 per cent, as a bag of cement selling for Rs 160 a few months before the budget now costs Rs 220. A few days before the presentation of the federal budget, the price of cement was sharply increased. Then, when the cut in CED was announced, the reduction in prices was not in proportion to this cut. Now the APCMA has stated that it will ensure that prices are stable in the market but at rates which are much higher than what they were a couple of months back. The government needs to take firm action to break this cartel of cement producers. While the Monopolies Control Authority is investigating the matter, it has still not taken any action. The government’s knee-jerk response has taken the form of a threat to allow the import of cement. This is no long-term solution, as imported cement will be only marginally cheaper. The government needs to show its teeth to the cement producers, who are profiteering at the expense of the public. A precedence has to be set whereby the finance minister shows that he means business. Otherwise, the failure to tackle the cement manufacturers may encourage oligopolistic producers and cartels in other sectors to follow suit.

Blast in Al Quds

THE latest suicide bombing in Al Quds gave Israel just the pretext it was looking for to hold back the handing over of two West Bank towns to the Palestinian Authority. Within minutes of the deadly attack that left 19 Israelis dead and nearly 100 injured, Tel Aviv called off the talks with the PA indefinitely, and a few hours later the Israeli foreign ministry announced a complete sealing off of the West Bank and Gaza. Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two extremist groups that were brought round to accepting the ceasefire accord the PA signed with Israel in late June, claimed responsibility for the latest attack. Both the groups, in separate statements, said that they were still committed to the ceasefire. They said such attacks would not stop unless Israel also showed its commitment to the ceasefire.

The second Palestinian Intifada is now three years old. The tit-for-tat attacks have not ceased despite a number of efforts that have been made towards restarting the stalled peace talks between the two sides. For the most part, the Palestinians have accepted all the conditions put forth by the Israelis — they now even have the individual in the person of Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, a man of their own choice instead of Mr Arafat, whom they said they would talk to. President Bush gave a roadmap to jumpstart the process, yet, no significant progress has been made to take the stalled peace process forward. Besides, Israel has continued to build settlements, while work continues on what Arafat calls Palestine’s “Berlin Wall”. That Ariel Sharon, with his witch-hunt and continued targeted killings of the Palestinian leaders, is the agent provocateur, is clear for all to see.