Should we waste our time in saving a sick regime or should we instead ignore it? Undoubtedly, the Iraqi regime is passing through one of the most dangerous times in its history. Other countries must think about their own futures before going to help it. This is obviously a painful stand but we need to keep in mind that our good nature must not be allowed to imperil our country’s best interests.
We are now facing threats of real war as well as changes in the Iraqi regime which has not been able to cope with the situation. This was evident in the way Saddam Hussein replied when asked how he would face the crisis: he said he would play for time and that he counted on the disintegration of the US-British coalition.
If the Iraqi president is clinging to such illogical thinking, how can others possibly involve themselves with him? He has never referred to a plan to defuse the situation by taking steps to remove the real causes of the crisis, changing his foreign policy and opening up the country. On the other hand, he pins his hopes on possible disagreements between those countries which are set to destroy him. How can other countries side with the Iraqi regime when this is its policy? These other countries should think and make a few wise decisions before guns start firing and the region dissolves in turmoil.
As in any other situation, political leaders should make their decisions based on the best interests of their own countries instead of simply drifting with the course of events. The countries, which in the past stood by Iraq, have now assumed new stances to protect their own national interests. They have gradually distanced themselves from the regime, preparing to move to the opposing camp. Nobody can blame them if the Iraqi regime makes no serious efforts to extricate itself from the crisis.
I am disturbed by reports of Saudis rushing to Baghdad to take part in seminars and exhibitions at such an extremely inappropriate time — a time when even the friends of Iraq have been withdrawing to safer distances. Its friends are worried about their own interests as they fear war breaking out in the near future.
The Saudis have been keeping away from Iraq for the past 10 years when it might have been appropriate to build relations. Now, it seems, they have decided to go to Baghdad when it is simply too late. If anyone believes that these new moves are prompted by politeness, such politeness is too costly. If the move is being made to shut the mouths of critics, we can be sure that they will never shut their mouths regardless of whatever we do. On the other hand, if they are acting on reliable information that there will be no war and the regime in Iraq will never change, then they are perfectly correct in what they are doing. The course of events, however, does not support such an argument. A correct estimate of the future and making preparations to face it are much more important than doing things to please angry critics or believing that history can be changed by agricultural and commercial delegations.
