3/8/01
Jordan Times
Fahed Fanek
POLITICAL AND diplomatic spokespersons of the United States don't get tired of repeating the claim that Saddam Hussein, meaning Iraq, is dangerous and a threat to its neighbours. They, of course, know more than others that the international alliance led by America dumped in 1991 millions of tonnes of explosives on Iraq, to the extent of bringing it back to pre-industrial age, and that UNSCOM inspectors destroyed during eight long years more chemical and other mass destruction weapons and the means to manufacture them than the savage war did; so much so, that Iraq itself is threatened to fail to defend itself from the threats of its strong and aggressive neighbours, especially Iran, Israel and Turkey.
The irony is that this country, Iraq, and its leader, Saddam Hussein, which Americans label as a risk to neighbours that the self-imposed world policeman thinks he should protect, was seen as a normal country run by an acceptable leader during eight years of war against Iran. It is strange how, suddenly, lack of democracy was discovered in Iraq, as well as its capability to produce weapons of mass destruction and become a threat to its neighbours. The US took this position while pretending not to see the racial apartheid system in Israel which is busy stockpiling atomic bombs and occupying the territories of its neighbours.
But who are the neighbours of Iraq identified by the United States as deserving protection from Iraqi aggression?
Iran is not illegible to American protection because it is classified by the US State Department as a rogue state, a country to be treated with dual containment and economic sanctions.
Turkey is not in need for protection because it is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) which will come to its rescue if threatened by an Iraqi invasion. As a matter of fact, it is Turkey which is intruding on Iraqi territories to kill Turkish Kurds seeking refugee in Iraq.
Syria is not asking for American protection from Iraq. If anything, Syria looks at Iraq as its depth and a reserve in facing the Israeli explicit threats.
Jordan looks at Iraq as its strategic depth and trade partner, and seeks to further strengthen its relations with this important Arab country. Jordan continuously condemned sanctions and raids against Iraq.
Saudi Arabia never asked for American protection against unfounded Iraqi threats. In fact, Saudi Arabia was always for a strong Iraqi state to protect its oil interests threatened only by the American hegemony and to secure the very much needed balance of power in the Gulf.
Only Kuwait may have expressed doubts and fears towards Iraq's intentions, and with good reason. Kuwait did ask for American and British troops to be stationed on its soil for protection. The Kuwaiti minister of foreign affairs was recently quoted as saying that Kuwait feels safe and secure due to the presence of Western forces. But Kuwait should ask itself whether this external protection can last for ever. Britain did not voluntarily withdraw from the area 40 years ago to come back again and stay there.
The implied Iraqi threat to the sovereignty of Kuwait is an undeniable fact, but the remedy is not foreign occupation. The real national security of Kuwait cannot be provided except by Iraq, the eternal neighbours of Kuwait. The only way to alleviate the risk is a real rapprochement with Iraq to bypass the crisis of 1990. Kuwait should help Iraq to end sanctions and overcome its difficult circumstances. Aiding Iraq is the best investment Kuwait can make to gain the hearts and the minds of the Iraqi people.
If the security derived from America is for 10 years, the security derived from Iraq and the Arab world is forever.