Using Iraq and Palestine as constant reminders, the Arab press is debating what Arabs should be doing about their world and future. Dina Ezzat follows the proceedings Tired of criticising the Arab summit, Arab papers turned their attention to old wounds yet to heal. Most of the articles on Iraq were somewhat déj�-vu. Arab commentators were as usual busy criticising US policy on Iraq and predicting more American failures. The arguments were predictable: the US does not understand the psychology of the region, the US does not care about the Iraqi people and only wants Iraqi oil and the US made a huge mistake by invading Iraq. Away from the predictable lines was that of Saudi commentator Abdul-Rahman Al-Rashid who argued that the issue was not just about the US but Iraq as well. In his article in the daily Asharq Al-Awsat, London-based and Saudi financed, Al- Rashid argued that Arabs must think twice before celebrating the US failure in Iraq. Published on Saturday under the headline, "The most important lesson from Iraq", Al-Rashid's article was not short of criticism of the US administration of post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. "The Americans made some amateurish and unnecessary mistakes in Iraq, inflicting so much damage that they damaged the very tools they could have used to rule Iraq." This said, Al-Rashid argued that those who are pleased with the US failure in Iraq should know that the price is paid not only by the Americans but by the Iraqis. "At the end of the day, the current crisis in Iraq will cause serious harm to everyone and for a very long time," Al- Rashid concluded. Scepticism over the future was also a concern that dominated coverage in the Arab press in relation to developments in Palestine and Iraq. Day in, day out there were stories about the complicated aspects of the situation on the two fronts, in addition to Sudan. And day in and day out there was concern that the current peace efforts exerted on these fronts may not be the real answer. A good example would be the story that appeared on Tuesday: "UNRWA is short of money ... $15 million desperately needed." The details of the story were alarming. Hundreds of Palestinian families have been rendered homeless due to the recent Israeli military attacks against Palestinians and UNRWA's appeals are not bringing in enough money to provide shelter for those who had lost homes. But what the opinion pages carried on Palestinians seemed somehow more disturbing than what was published about them in the news pages. On Sunday, in the daily United Arab Emirates Al-Ittihad, Khaled Al-Dokheil argued that while some Arab countries were busy contacting parties to look like they are helping the Palestinians out of the current crisis, they are primarily serving their own political agendas. According to Al-Dokheil, these countries, especially Jordan and Egypt, are not doing much to serve the Palestinian cause. "When Turkey summoned its ambassador in Tel Aviv to protest against the Israeli massacres in Rafah, Egypt and Jordan kept silent," Al-Dokheil wrote. While Al-Dokheil levelled more criticism at Egypt than Jordan he was, in any case excusing other countries which have offered close ties with Israel, even diplomatic, in return for almost nothing. These include Tunisia, Qatar and Mauritania. But all such ties have failed to serve Arab interests, especially in relation to Palestine. Rather the opposite, Al- Dokheil concludes. "Israel has become more aggressive than ever towards the Arabs and the Palestinians in particular ... The Arab weakness is that it continues to seek friendly relations with Israel without getting anything in return. And this does not seem to be coming to an end with even more Arab concessions being made. So long as Arabs continue with this attitude Israel will never come around to accepting any of their peace initiatives." It was in Tuesday's Al-Bayan, another daily of the United Arab Emirates, that similar doubts were cast over the possible outcome of the on-going, and so far successful, peace process in Sudan. "An end to war in Sudan ... future answers to political problems" was the headline of an article by Mohamed Al- Romeihi. Al-Romeihi preferred to avoid direct criticism of the Sudanese peace deal but it was difficult for the reader to miss some subtle jabs: the deal was only reached as a result of pressure exercised by the US; it does not include all opposition figures from the Sudanese government; and it fails to address the current human tragedy in Darfour. Ultimately, though, Al-Romeihi had to say it: "Many observers think this deal is only meant to defer the question for a few years." This peace deal, Al-Romeihi reminded his readers, is only a temporary answer to one of the longest civil wars in Africa because in six years -- according to the text of the accord -- all Sudanese must vote in a referendum that will either reinforce a state of peace or take the country to a new phase of civil strife if they fail to deliver a vote supporting the territorial unity of the country. If the referendum calls for the splitting of Sudan into a northern Arab and a southern non-Arab country, Al-Romeihi warned, then other Arab countries with internal ethnic divides must prepare themselves to be subjected to this same American treatment: conquer and divide. What role can the Arabs play in managing such political problems? Is there a role for Arab peoples to play at all in directing the policies of their government? "This is the age of people's [rule] ... what is going on in the Arab world?" was the headline of an article by retired Egyptian diplomat and commentator Abdallah El- Ashaal. Appearing on the opinion pages of the London-based daily Al-Hayat on Monday, El-Ashaal's article attempted to find answers; his was particularly depressing. He did not come out and say it but it was understood: Arab peoples have no say over their government's decisions. But what El-Ashaal avoided on Monday was said clearly on Tuesday in the Lebanese daily Al- Mustaqbal by Farouq Al-Barbir. Having criticised the failure of Arabs to speak out against the Israeli and American atrocities in Palestine and Iraq at a time when US and British diplomats are making their voice heard on these matters, Al- Barbir did not shy away from criticising the role played by the Arab masses. "Where are the Arabs? What are they doing to deal with the current miserable realities? Can they find a remedy?" Al-Barbir's questions read more like a statement of fact expressing frustration over the inability of the Arab masses to act.
