The Hindu : Arabs fear unilateral U.S. action

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 16, 2002

International

International

Arabs fear unilateral U.S. action

By Atul Aneja

DAMASCUS Nov. 15. While being guardedly optimistic that the United Nations Security Council may not sanction collective use of force against Iraq, key Arab countries are now focusing their attention on discouraging the United States from attacking Baghdad unilaterally.

Syria, the lone Arab member of the Security Council has strongly opposed the possible use of unilateral force against Iraq. Addressing a press conference here, the Syrian Foreign Minster, Farouk al Shara, said that Damascus will "not at all be a party to any military action against Iraq, that might be taken outside the framework of the U.N., even if it was by an international coalition or alliance."

The Syrian Foreign Minister acknowledged that Syria, during internal debates within the Security Council, has been trying to block the formation of an international coalition against Iraq that is "outside the framework of international legitimacy and U.N." Most Arab countries, which are desperate to avoid a war, are pinning their hopes on France and Russia to checkmate the possible U.S. intent to get a U.N. endorsement for military action against Iraq.

The U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441 that was passed recently does not allow the automatic use of force against Iraq, in case it is perceived that it is obstructing efforts to disarm it. Under the new resolution aimed at eliminating Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, any allegations of Iraqi non-compliance will be referred back to the Security Council for further debate. Analysts point out that Arab countries are hoping, that it is at this stage, France and Russia — two veto holding Security Council members — will step in and block endorsement for a collective attack.

Not surprisingly, the Syrian President, Bashar-al-Assad, and the French President, Jacques Chirac, discussed the U.N. Security Council Resolution on Iraq over telephone on Wednesday. Observers here point out that the Syria and France could be developing special relations and both the French Foreign Minister and Mr. Chirac have recently visited Damascus in order to add greater momentum to the relationship. Keen to deny the U.S. the opportunity to use the inspections in Iraq as a pretext to encourage the use of force, Arab leaders are seeking assurances for impartial U.N. probe to disarm Iraq. These countries are seeking the presence of Arab experts in the team of inspectors that is set to visit Iraq.

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