Some ambiguity has been created by Saudi Arabia’s silence on the subject of the Iraqi government, the governing council created by the United States. The council has been subject to an intense opposition campaign from various Arab factions. But the fact that Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, welcomed Ibrahim Al-Jaafari in Jeddah last week broke the mental and political barrier. Perhaps it is time that those who are still against any contact with the governing council thought again.
Luckily for the Iraqis, individual Arab nations have opened their doors to the governing council, thus giving it a fighting chance, even if as a group — the Arab League — they have refused to do so. I say “luckily” because historically Arab extremism has drawn many into its folds, and its habit of denouncing everything has tainted the whole of Arab policy over several decades, despite the fact that the majority of governments and the people are moderate in their thinking.
While it does not commit the Arab governments to recognizing the Iraqi council, this kind of courage is nevertheless admirable. Whether the council should be officially endorsed and full diplomatic relations established are questions best decided within the halls of the Arab League in order to safeguard its unity and strengthen its role. The League will probably give its stamp of approval now that most major capitals have opened their doors to the visiting delegation.
The step is courageous in another respect too: it has been quick. Traditionally Arabs waste years obstructing a particular policy before finally agreeing to it anyway, usually when it is too late.
These Iraqis are the real Iraqis since they represent more than 20 million individuals whom even the Americans with all their strength couldn’t ignore. How then can we ignore them and disappoint them because of some disputes with the US over its methods and policy? The Americans are aware that they will not be able to govern Iraq for ten years, and they said so in the first month after the fall of Saddam’s regime. Sensible Iraqis on their part know that there will need to be a temporary occupation, after which power can be handed over to Iraqis chosen by the people. The council in reality is nothing more than America’s response to popular pressure. But however deficient it may be, it is representative of the real Iraqis. We should not disparage it, especially since we were quite happy to acknowledge Saddam’s murderous regime and deal with it on an equal footing, which in itself is a blot on the history of the Arabs.
- Arab News Opinion 30 August 2003
