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Al-Ahram Weekly 25 - 31 March 1999 Issue No. 422 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 25 - 31 March 1999 Issue No. 422
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Profile Features Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters 'A small step'
By Khaled Dawoud
Are you satisfied with the results of the meeting?
Sahhaf
We consider what was reached as small steps, representing the minimum of what we could achieve due to the political stands of the different countries, especially the Gulf states.
In this framework, what we reached is far less than what we expected from the Arab League. Yet, we accepted those steps as a beginning, something that might encourage other people to take steps towards achieving a better position.
The setting up of the mechanism relating to the humanitarian problem between Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, or the issue of those missing since the [Gulf] War, means we have taken an important step towards settling the case. Within this mechanism, we will ask the Saudis, the Kuwaitis, and the [Arab League] secretary-general, to come and see for themselves whether or not there were or are any Kuwaiti prisoners in Iraq.
How can you guarantee that the mechanism dealing with the "humanitarian problem" will function soon and not be ignored?
We are supposed to follow up on this issue with the secretary-general of the Arab League, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. We will be active and maintain close contact with the secretary-general.
What about the paragraph regarding the no-fly zones?
The decision taken on this matter is less than a partial step. However, my interpretation of this paragraph is that all the Arab countries agree the no-fly zones are not part of the Security Council resolutions, even if the zones were not referred to by name.
This is a step forward, even if many countries around the world reached this conclusion before some of the Arab countries did. However, it is better to reach this conclusion now than to not reach it at all.
Why didn't the paragraph mention the no-fly zones by name?
The whole world knows that the no-fly zones are not part of the Security Council resolutions.
We did not refer to them directly because of reservations expressed by some Arab parties. Yet, we accepted this conciliatory formula in order to agree on some partial matter, and then work on developing it.
We see this formula as the first step, which we hope will be followed by more steps in the future.
Are you going to look for more support on an international level, after failing to get the support you wanted from Arab countries?
What we achieved was the best we could do in the framework of the Arab League Council. But outside the League, you will find that the secretary-general has taken a strong stand against the no-fly zones.
Most Arab countries have also expressed their opposition to the no-fly zones and the violation of Iraq's sovereignty. But, unfortunately, within the Arab League, the minority managed to impose their position. I hope the position of this minority will improve.
Meanwhile, when we work within our Arab framework, we do not ignore the international one. The French are adopting positions which are improving gradually, especially in relation to the no-fly zones, and the Russians and the Chinese have taken clear stands against the zones.
