World-Class Diplomacy
When it comes to an insidiously jaundiced brand of sleazy hypocrisy overlaid with a tinge of modest humility no one can beat the Saudis. They're torn between their righteous sense of cultural and religious superiority and the drear task of dealing with inferior beings whose inability to recognize the hallowed presence among them of Allah's messengers is so dreadfully trying - but they forge on with their noble task.As with the settling of some trifling discord between Fatah and Hamas; as with scolding their Iranian and Syrian counterparts responsible for Lebanon's annoying disequilibrium; as with the tiresome necessity of warning Israel that their blueprint for peace in the region is a take-it-or-leave affair. This is an admittedly ennobling task they have set for themselves - to solve the seemingly intractable problems besetting their region - which, unfortunately, they had a large share in creating.
Abdulaziz Al-Sowayegh, ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Canada, takes pen in hand to deliver himself of a message to the Canadian people, to further their understanding of the situation within the Middle East, to enlarge their comprehension of the illustrious part the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia plays in the peace process, enlightening us no end.
He informs us that "Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has launched a program of regional reform based on the Saudi experience and culture while opening the door to outside expertise and know-how. On the level of international relations, King Abdullah has established a vision based on three fundamentals..." All of which are designed to work toward Arab unity, strengthening the unity of the 'Islamic nation', and extending co-operation to all peace-loving countries of the world.
Most laudable, very much appreciated, greatly to be admired. The place to start is right at home, right in the bosom of their own country where the Shia minority is repressed and unrecognized as functional Muslims, greatly discriminated against. Not a very good object lesson in tolerance in a region on fire with the hatred of internecine warfare, busily butchering one another. Is this the lesson the Saudi king and his ambassador are so anxious to teach us?
Ambassador Al-Sowayegh speaks of practical initiatives to spread peace, chiefly the Arab peace plan, unanimously adopted by all Arab states calling for Israel's withdrawal from all Arab territories it occupies; a 'just solution' to the issue of Palestinian refugees in exchange for full normalization of relations between the Arab countries and Israel. Israel's current 'occupation' of Arab territories resulted from Arab aggression, yet another attempt to wipe it off the regional map; and where is the explication of a 'just solution' of which he speaks?
Nowhere is there room for negotiating the signal points laid out for Israel's 'acceptance' of the Arab peace plan. The plan is presented as a whole, to be accepted in its entirety; so much for that. The ambassador claims the threshold of a new era of peace and stability may be ushered in, but only if Israel has the good sense to accept the Saudi initiative. It has long been acknowledged that the Arabs are incapable of compromise.
It is as though their culture renders them incapable of accepting that two sides can sit together, place their shared problems on the negotiating table and begin to solve mutual irritants to the eventual satisfaction of both parties. In so doing, each side realizes it is incumbent on them to meet some of the needs of the other party, while accepting that the other party will in turn meet some of theirs.
This is a process termed conflict resolution. Neither side comes away from the bargaining table with all it feels it requires, is entitled to, or necessarily wants. Each side begins the process of deliberation with the thought foremost that the end result must be the resolution of conflict. And with that end in mind, concessions become possible from either side, and acceptance of peace is embraced on either side.
By presenting Israel with a firm set of demands, a completely unilateral statement of agreement - or the potential for peace surrenders to continued protracted wars, the Saudis and the Arab countries in their collectivity are merely continuing their trajectory toward the eventual elimination from the territory of an alien state, sullying the greater Islamic geography.
Yet Ambassador Al-Sowayegh has the unmitigated gall, like his masters, to intone that "peace cannot be imposed on others, it has to be pursued by both sides of the conflict". He piously concludes it is high time that all countries of the region say "enough blood and tears"; that they have endured more than their share.
His article offers this startling observation: "Some have alluded to the possibility of a major, even historic visit to Israel by a senior Saudi official. Once peace is declared and diplomatic relations are normalized, one cannot exclude such a possibility."
One is left incredulous: is Allah to be conscripted into this feel-good exercise? This suggestion of a sacred dispensation is so hubristic Muhammad himself might find it difficult to determine whether he moved toward the mountain or otherwise.
The Royal House of Saud convinced it has the ear of god, themselves elevated to ascend a platform of righteousness opposite Muhammad.
Labels: Middle East
posted by Pieface @ Thursday, March 29, 2007
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