Dina Ezzat listens in on the Austrian version of how to achieve world peace and security Heinz Fischere, Austria's president, might not wield the most power in world politics, but as he proved during his one-day visit to Egypt Monday, Fischere has good ideas about how best to strive towards world peace. And as a head of state he can speak up and be heard, criticising the frightening apocalyptic visions of select political actors and their actions. In a briefing during he held on Monday afternoon, Fischere set out his views on how to achieve peace in the Middle East -- something that he fears will not happen anytime soon. "Personally, I will never speak of another world war, third or fourth," Fischere said in reaction to statements made a few days ago by US President George W Bush where he suggested that Iranian access to military nuclear technology could start World War III, especially in view of the allegedly destructive intentions that the current regime in Tehran has regarding Israel. While Fischere was very cautious in his words, his body language spoke volumes on the doomsday scenarios that the US president appeared to popularise. The fact that Bush's statements come against a long drawn-out backdrop of hawkish incitements for war or "limited military strikes" against Iran was clearly a concern for Fischere. "Military means never solve a problem. Military action might solve part of a problem, but [simultaneously] it creates a second and maybe a third and fourth problem," Fischere warned. "We need the rule of law in international relations," he added with conviction. As far as Fischere is concerned, the Iranian nuclear issue is not a simple matter to be approached by simplistic policies. "The situation in Iran is a very complicated one." According to Fischere, Iran ought to be told that the international community cannot tolerate its gaining access to nuclear weapons. In the same breath, Tehran should be offered security guarantees and economic incentives for cooperation. Austria incidentally plays host to the world's nuclear watchdog, the International Agency for Atomic Energy (IAEA). But while Fischere is keen to use incentives to reign in Tehran, he rejects any connection between containing Iran and overseeing the only actual and unrestrained nuclear power in the Middle East -- Israel. "I know that this is part of the argument of Iran. But it is my position that it is not useful if you link one problem to another," Fischere said. He argued that the limits the world should impose on Tehran mostly follow from its commitments under the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, an instrument of international law that Israel has not signed. Regarding Israel's nuclear capacity, Fischere suggested the issue would need to be viewed from the perspective of worldwide disarmament, including efforts undertaken to ensure that the Middle East is a zone free of all weapons of mass destruction. "The more nuclear weapons, the worse it is for the world. The less nuclear weapons, the better," Fischere stated emphatically. This point aside, Fischere appeared keen to convey that he was not playing the role of advocate for Israeli policies in the Middle East. In press statements made before and during his trip to Egypt, the Austrian president appeared sceptical about the chances of a breakthrough in the upcoming US-proposed Annapolis Middle East peace meetings. According to informed sources, Fischere shares many of the concerns of President Mubarak and Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa. Fischere supports the launching of a negotiations process encompassing the entire Arab-Israeli struggle on all its tracks. Fischere expressed sincere concern over the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. He committed Austria to work through the European Union and every possible international mechanism to address the suffering of Palestinians. He also expressed concern over the fluid situation in Iraq, especially in northern Iraq with view to current tension between Turkey and Kurdish separatists. Fischere warned against military action and called for dialogue to resume. For Fischere, world peace is predicated on a stable and prosperous Africa as much as a stable and peaceful Middle East. "We have to admit that while addressing [Middle East and other pressing world] problems, we're not able to address Africa with sufficient attention," Fischere said while promising change in line with the Africa Strategy document adopted by the EU. The Austrian president endorsed the scheduled convocation of a European Union-Africa summit in Lisbon in November. Fischere stated that he does not agree with the view of some European leaders who want to delay the already overdue summit lest Robert Mugabe, leader of Zimbabwe boycotted by Britain over his nationalisation of the assets of former British colonialists, attend. "Even if President Mugabe insisted on his right to attend, we shouldn't punish all of Africa [on the account of Mugabe]," Fischere said. While in Egypt, Fischere gave his country's go-ahead for a number of Austrian-Egyptian development projects.
