Lift curbs on Iraq, says Arab League

By Kesava Menon

MANAMA (BAHRAIN), MARCH 28. In a major breakthrough towards unity, the leaders of the Arab world meeting in summit in Amman have called for the lifting of the sanctions against Iraq. They have also endorsed Syria's call for a revival of the boycott of Israel and condemned the U.S. for vetoing a resolution sought to be moved at the U.N. Security Council asking for international intervention in the current violent conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

It was almost at the last minute that the delegations to the Arab League summit agreed to the insertion of the clause calling for the lifting of the sanctions. With the text not being immediately available it is unclear whether there are any special terms or conditions attached or even whether this was a categorical statement or a pro forma one.

Iraq's Foreign Minister, Mr. Mohammed Saeed al Sahaf, was reportedly not satisfied with this part of the final communique but then Iraq had been pressing for the use of language which many others could not have endorsed. According to the initial reports, the communique does not satisfy the Iraqi demand that the Arab states which offer bases to the U.S. and U.K. be asked to desist from doing so. At the same time, the communique also does not reportedly reflect the Kuwaiti and Saudi Arabian demand that Iraq be asked to recognise the sovereignty of Kuwait, guarantee that it will not repeat its action of 1990 and that they release the 600 prisoners of war believed to be still in captivity. After five days of wrangling which failed to clinch the Iraq-Kuwait dispute, the Arab delegations would appear to have opted for language that conveys the impression of a move towards reconciliation instead of trying to resolve the substantial issues that still divide Iraq and Kuwait.

In fact, by yesterday, some of the delegations were saying that a communique that contained the mere impression of reconciliation would still represent a breakthrough since it would lay the foundation for work to be done later. In any case, the communique might have already been overtaken by events since the U.S. administration is drawing up a new format for the inspection of Iraqi imports that will not require intrusive inspections in Iraq and will thus be very different from the sanctions as they currently exist. The Arab League has promised $240 millions in aid to the Palestinians and condemned Israel's approach and attitudes. They have also endorsed Syria's call for a revival of the secondary and tertiary boycott of Israel but this part of the communique was expected to be non-binding one. If these expectations are borne out then it would appear that the League has once again failed to take decisive and united action against Israel.

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Section  : International
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