28 Feb. - 6 March 2002
Issue No.575
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 28 Feb. - 6 March 2002 Issue No.575 |
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Lobbying Europe
Syria's Al-Assad and Lebanon's Al-Hariri were both in Italy this week urging European intervention in the Middle East crisis to offset the US bias towards Israel. Samia Nkrumah reports from RomeIt has been a good week for Italian- Arab relations. At the beginning of the week, Rome welcomed Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, who made his first visit to the West since 11 September and his first ever to Italy. A day later Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Al-Hariri also arrived in the Italian capital.
The 37-year-old Syrian president, who was accompanied by his wife Asma, made a good impression as demonstrated by the favourable press coverage of the visit. The couple's every word and gesture were carefully noted and deemed to be elegant and impressive. More than one television commentator referred to the Arab president's "beautiful wife." Together they presented an image quite different from that expected of a leader of a "rogue state" -- the moniker formerly applied to Syria by the US.
Topping the agenda of both leaders, as expected, was the Middle East crisis and the prospect of greater European involvement towards resolving it. Al-Assad's and Al-Hariri's visits come at a time when the Europeans are more critical than ever of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's response to the conflict. The Europeans' potential to play a role in supporting the Palestinians is clearer than ever in light of Washington's silence over the escalating tension and violence in the Palestinian territories and Israel.
In late March, an Arab summit will be held in Beirut. Al-Hariri and Al- Assad have added their voices to those of other Arab leaders calling for Europe to intervene in the crisis. Their discussions in Rome promoted the possibility of a European initiative ahead of the summit.
Separately, Al-Assad and Al-Hariri met Italian president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
The Syrian president's meeting with Pope John Paul II, who made a rare exception and interrupted his Lent retreat, was described as particularly cordial. The young president was photographed as he shook hands warmly with the Pontiff. At the end of the visit, Al-Assad gave the Pope a copy of the Qur'an, translated into English, "a sign of the coexistence between Muslims and Christians in Syria." The two last met in Damascus a year ago when the Pope made his pilgrimage retracing the steps of St Paul.
One group, though, disapproved of Al-Assad's visit; protests by members of the Jewish community took place at the airport and in other places in Rome where the Syrian leader was expected. The Israeli ambassador to Rome protested against Al-Assad's presence in the country and was summoned to the foreign ministry.
Italy's latest diplomatic gesture indicates a marked difference in the position of the Europeans and Washington. Recently, Europe has distanced itself from American President George W Bush's State of the Union address that singled out Iran, Iraq and North Korea for criticism. "The axis of evil" speech, as it has become known, prompted several EU ministers and officials to say that Washington was being naive and driven by domestic electioneering concerns.
In Italy last week Berlusconi, who has proclaimed his unflinching loyalty to the US, said that he preferred a policy of conducting a dialogue with Baghdad.
And at a time when Washington is distancing itself from Yasser Arafat, Berlusconi has presented himself as a personal friend of the Palestinian Authority Chairman.
At the EU summit held in Barcelona earlier this February, the 15 European states agreed to draw up a plan to assist the Palestinians economically in the occupied territories. Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi suggested that a "Marshall Plan" of massive economic investment should be launched. A few weeks later in Brussels, Berlusconi proposed the holding of an EU-sponsored Middle East peace summit, although it was subsequently decided that current conditions in the region were unfavourable for such a meeting.
As the US continues to put its war on terrorism at the top of its foreign policy priorities, it inevitably upsets Arab popular sentiment. It is left to Europe, with its diplomatic experience and geographical and cultural proximity to Arab states, to pick up the pieces.
At the same time, there is a sense of frustration on the part of the Europeans while they watch as the infrastructure they funded in the Palestinian territories is gradually reduced to rubble.
However, the EU's helplessness is exacerbated by a number of factors. Both the French and German leaderships have indicated sympathy with the Palestinian position. However, France is caught up in preparations for presidential elections, and Germany is scheduled to follow, meaning that both countries are expected to be focused on domestic issues for some time. Whether the post-election leadership will uphold the positions on the conflict recently announced by both countries is an open question. Only Italy seems to be secure politically for at least another four years, but it can only deliver in the context of a firm and united EU position.
Additionally, the present Israeli government is not hiding its disapproval of the EU. The Europeans, therefore, while grudging the decisive influence the US has over the Middle East crisis, are finding it difficult to impose their views for resolving the conflict.
Since 11 September, the Europeans have also been distracted by the campaign against terrorism. Every so often there are reports about the existence of terrorist cells across the continent. Just last week, the Italian police said that it had arrested about six Moroccans in whose apartment they found a toxic powder which authorities said they believed was to be used in a terrorist act. It has been reported that the men may have links to Al-Qa'eda.
So far, about 20 people with suspected links to organisations associated with Al-Qa'eda have been detained in Rome and more than 80 bank accounts have been frozen.
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