The Kingdom’s signal to Iran that both countries should be talking to each other must not be underestimated in terms of its importance. The invitation to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to visit Saudi Arabia was extended by Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal on Tuesday.
Speaking in Riyadh at a press conference after the Arab Economic and Cooperation Forum with Central Asia and Azerbaijan, Prince Saud said that the continuing political crises throughout the Middle East have brought foreign interference in the internal affairs of countries in the region. With that meddling had come the rising challenge of terrorism.
In his analysis, developed world countries had in the past been credited with their capacity to promote political and social change, based on their respect for human values. Prince Saud warned however that these much-vaunted credentials had in fact been used as a diplomatic cover. Developed world countries were seeking to legitimize their interference in foreign crises. These interventions, he said, had only served to exacerbate social disintegration and foster terrorism.
The significance of the invitation to the Iranians is the greater because of the Kingdom’s central role and extensive influence in the Muslim world. Muslim world has already been challenged by US-led expeditions into Somalia, Iraq and Libya. Perversely, by its very refusal to act as promised in Syria, after Bashar Assad was proven to be using chemical weapons, Washington also interfered. Russia meanwhile maintains an interference in Syria that sustains a despotic government. It also permits Moscow to keep its single warm-water naval base at Tartus.
There are also more subtle and insidious challenges to the Muslim Ummah. Former British Premier Tony Blair made completely false claims about Iraq’s WMD. These gave the Bush administration the excuse it needed to invade and topple Saddam. As a result, Iraq was plunged into chaos. US-led occupation unleashed a monstrous terror threat where none had existed before. That bloody chaos continues to this day. Blair, who absurdly masquerades as the envoy of the failing Middle East Quartet, gave a deeply disturbing speech last month. He said that the greatest threat to world security came from “Islamic Terrorism.”
George W. Bush was arguably one of the more ill-informed of recent US presidents. Yet even he never included the word “Islamic” in his “War on Terror.” Whatever their deep private prejudices, his Neo-Con advisers appreciated the ignorant racism of such a phrase. Blair however has no such reservations. By linking the very real danger of terrorism, which he himself did so much to foster, with Islam, he is legitimizing an alarming backlash in the West. Whatever he may protest to the contrary, the wicked effect of his words is to characterize Islam as the enemy.
Iran’s confrontation with Washington over its nuclear program is not simply about weaponization. Sanctions which have brought the economy to its knees have been an effective method of interference. Could it be that Washington in fact wishes no satisfactory outcome to the new round of Geneva talks that began Wednesday? And what sort of vision is it pursuing for a new Iran?
Prince Saud’s initiative needs to be appreciated in the context of these challenges and Iran should respond in a positive way. Kingdom has always been willing to have cordial relations with all its neighbors and Iran is one of them. The differences that divide the region should not be underestimated. But at the same time the threat from increased outside interference is much greater.
The region simply has to look to negotiations as the only way to resolve differences and re-establish respect for each others’ sovereignty. From this will flow a regional solidarity with which to face off self-interested and malign outside interference.
Through his ground-breaking invitation to the Iranians, Prince Saud is demonstrating that the most powerful and influential player in the Arab world, is ready to build that solidarity and stability that will protect the sovereignty of all countries in the region.
It has to be hoped that Tehran will appreciate the importance of the Saudi initiative and will respond wisely and generously. There are many difficult issues to be addressed. But they must be tackled in the knowledge that they have to be resolved, to see off the far more considerable threat of increased outside interference in the region.
A groundbreaking invitation
