Without equivocation

The Arab summit scheduled to open on Saturday is the last chance for an Arab initiative seeking to spare Iraq, and the entire Arab region, from the disastrous consequences of an American war. It is incumbent upon Arab governments -- and there are few among them that will shed any tears over the departure of Saddam Hussein -- to attempt to formulate an exit strategy for both Washington and Baghdad from the inexorable build up to conflict.

The heads of states meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh cannot waste the little time that is left on inter-Arab squabbling; neither can they afford to speak in anything but the most clear terms to both the US and Iraqi governments.

If the summit concludes that the way out of the current crisis is for the Iraqi regime to change then they must say so without equivocation. Similarly, if the summit concludes more time is needed for Arab capitals to facilitate a peaceful transformation approved by the Iraqi people, then the US administration must be told so in explicit terms.

Washington's hawks have already started their countdown to war, and war they intend to wage with or without a UN Security Council resolution. The war they are seeking, though, is in no one's interest. Those who think that the further destruction of the already sanction- devastated Iraq will bring about a "free" state are deluding themselves. To further attack a population that has been suffering under both a totalitarian regime and harsh UN sanctions is unjustifiable.

If the change that many Arab governments, as well as the US, seek can be engineered in a peaceful way it is the task of the Arab summit to pursue that route regardless of obstacles.

Time is running out. There is no room for hesitation. The next war will not only target the Iraqi regime; it will be a war against the Arab nation.