I think the Algiers summit handled a number of important issues. The three most pressing were the financial crunch facing the Arab League, the ongoing debate about a so-called “Islamic terrorism” and reviving the Arab peace initiative.
The financial crisis of the Arab League is caused by the failure of some member states to pay their contributions toward the league’s budget resulting in the pan-Arab organization facing a $100 million deficit.
It is unfortunate this particular issue took more time of the discussions than should have been. The matter could have been settled by member states pledging to pay their dues.
As for “Islamic terrorism”, the expression itself is wrong and should have never been used in the first place. Those Muslim individuals or groups who commit acts of terrorism have deviated from the Islamic path and use religion as cover for their illegitimate acts. Those terrorist organizations have no actual influence in the Arab region, contrary to Western claims and accusations, and were not the reason behind the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
It should also be remembered that the two great world wars that claimed the lives of millions of people happened outside the Arab region. Out of the ashes of these wars have emerged numerous European terrorist groups, many of which remain active throughout the world and continue to pose a serious threat to European security and stability.
To these can be added the countless gangs of organized crime, drug and arms traffickers who use the United States as the launch pad for their worldwide operations. All these are groups that fit the international description of terrorist organizations.
Much of the time consumed in discussing the Arab League financial crisis and the so-called “Islamic terrorism” should have been spent on more pressing matters like economic cooperation among Arab countries.
The third issue that I think is more important than the first two was the Arab peace initiative initially floated by Crown Prince Abdullah and later officially adopted by Arab leaders at their summit in Beirut in 2002.
So far Arab countries seem committed to the initiative and want it to go side by side with the road map charted by the Americans and endorsed by the Palestinians and the Quartet as an initial step toward the establishment of a Palestinian state.
If the road map is to be viewed as providing the practical steps for setting up the Palestinian state, the Arab peace initiative should represent the ultimate outcome — a just and lasting peace in the region.
The Arab initiative has shown that Arabs, unlike Israel, want peace and that contrary to what is claimed by Israel, the Arab countries do not object to the normalization of relations with the Jewish state provided the Palestinians’ legitimate rights are honored. These include resolving all pending issues including Jerusalem, Jewish settlements, the return of the refugees, Palestinian right to water resources and the security arrangements.
The initiative shows that Arab countries, without exception, view peace as a strategic alternative and the only means for ensuring stability in the region. This view was reaffirmed by the Arab summit in Algeria.
One might say to promote the Arab peace initiative Arabs need first to convince the United States and the Europeans that they are ready to normalize relations with Israel when it becomes clear that Israel is serious about peace negotiations, serious about recognizing the right of the Palestinian to establish their own independent state and serious about committing itself to a full withdrawal from all occupied Arab lands.
By reaffirming their commitment to the peace initiative, the Arabs could make a positive impact on others. Israel is determined to continue building and expanding settlements on occupied Palestinian land. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon pledged before the Knesset a few days ago that Israel would retain the large settlements in the West Bank and rejected criticism from US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. He even said there should be a difference between the American positions supporting Israel and statements meant for the media.
Arab commitment to the peace initiative would expose Israel’s true intentions before the European public opinion that has on several occasions rejected Israel’s policies. Unlike the American public opinion that has no influence on the White House, the European public opinion is capable of influencing their countries’ leadership.
