1 - 7 March 2001
Issue No.523
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 1 - 7 March 2001 Issue No.523 |
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Current issue | Previous issue | Site map | ||
Powell's revenge
Colin Powell's visit will certainly constitute an important turning point in Egyptian-American relations, already strained by differences on a multitude of issues. General Powell's new thinking on Iraq will not find a welcoming embrace in Egypt.
Powell's ideas on Iraq could be briefly stated as follows. He suggests narrowing and relaxing sanctions, but tightening the military screw on Iraq until it is "convinced" of the need for a new framework within which it may be ascertained whether or not Saddam Hussein is stockpiling weapons of mass destruction. In so doing, Powell's tactics may range from military pressure on Iraq to the by now anachronistic goal of toppling the regime in Baghdad.
Egypt will not collaborate with these policy goals. In fact, President Mubarak eliminated the option of collaborating with the United States before Powell's visit, when he signed the free trade agreement with Iraq. He will certainly not accept the bargain implicitly suggested by the new American administration to Arab leaders: i.e., the US will do something for the Palestinians if the Arabs help out with Iraq. In any case, the United States has proved its inability to bring justice to the Palestinians. It will be even less capable of doing so under Sharon.
Will Powell open his mind to voices of wisdom in the region? Probably not. I believe he is returning to revive his old grudge against Iraq by launching a new war against Saddam Hussein's image. A good number of observers have come to conclude that the real reason for America's pointless policy in Iraq is an irrational fixation with enemy figures. The US has found the "perfect enemy" in Saddam Hussein. It will not let go without a fight.
*This week's Soapbox speaker is deputy director of the Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies.
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