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Editorial
The EU Foreign Policy
And The American Determinant Euro-American relations have played an important role in shaping the European Union’s foreign policy in the Middle East. The Europeans have not been able to impose their own perspective on the Arab-Israeli conflict. They have been supportive of the United States position in spite of public stances adopted by such countries as France and Britain or by EU foreign policy committee. Neither has the EU been able to stop the American and British military intervention in Iraq. On the whole, the foreign policy of Europe towards the region is lead by the Americans despite the fact the EU has tried to consolidate a position of its own, and as shown in its thinly veiled criticism of Washington’s biased policies towards the Arabs. Many European countries believe the US is the only party that can pressure Israel to comply with UN resolutions. In the last few years the EU has been more willing to show far more independence in its foreign policy positions. The new track of relations with the Islamic political and resistance movements in the region might confirm the fact that the EU’s Middle East’s foreign policy is becoming more developed; it may even influence the American position in the area and in turn force Israel to respect the wishes of the international community. Out of all this it is hoped a new European-American strategic development and a foreign policy might emerge towards the region based on US nonalignment and more EU activism based on Barcelona Declaration which lay dormant for the last 10 years. |
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Cairo Declaration: Step to a New
Palestinian Political System The Cairo Declaration is an outcome of the Al Aqsa Intifada which began on 28 September, 2000, and carried the banner of struggle for four years under a national unity slogan. The Cairo Declaration is the first of its kind ever to be made since the establishment of Palestine Liberation Organization in 1964. Rebuilding the PLO today is seen as crucial because of the participation of Islamists in the political set up. Hamas has been warning of the backlash if the elections were postponed unilaterally, and therefore saw the Cairo Declaration as one package. Fatah, on the other hand, sees it as a first step to rebuilding the Palestinian political system and warns of Israeli attempts to frustrate such an achievement. These views were presented in an MESJ seminar on 11 April 2005 in which leading figures in Fatah and Hamas as well as three other academics participated in. Participants called on the Palestinian factions to be flexible and put forward different strategic alternatives. Israel is aware that Hamas can control the Palestinian political system in any election, and therefore has pushed to postpone the polls. The Islamic movement however surged forward politically while still holding on to its military option. These were most of the themes and ideas highlighted in the discussion. |
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Exclusive Interview with Taher Al-Masri Role of the Arab Civil Society in Reform and DemocratizationJordan’s Former Prime Minister Mr. Taher Al-Masri has been appointed to the post of a Civil Service Commissioner in the Arab League, a position that was created in 2003. In an interview with the Middle Eastern Studies Journal he explains the commission’s policies in developing civil society institutions, and stresses their role in the Arab world. “The commission is working on elevating to the partnership level the relationship between Arab governments and civil society institutions,” Mr Al Masri said. He criticized what he saw as the negative role of some Arab governments who are not yet ready to yield part of their responsibility to such civil institutions. Al-Masri addresses the financial problem that faces most civil society institutions in the Arab world, stressing that his commission will establish a special fund to enhance those institutions in achieving their goals and talks about the networking plan outlined by his commission, and for civil society institutions in different countries. The success of this program will guarantee an observer membership to these institutions in the Arab League and in making sure that their voice is heard. |
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The Arab Region has witnessed three main strategic developments that may constitute the main framework for its future. Lebanon was exposed to a political earthquake that sent shockwaves in the region and has shaken the position of Syria. The Palestinian factions have succeeded for the first time in endorsing the Cairo Declaration that has paved the way for a more coherent political and organizational Palestinian system to emerge. A new government in Jordan has been appointed to steer its reform program. Such program will determine the Kingdom’s future for at least in the coming five years. The assassination of the Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri proved a catalyst for the subsequent political changes in Lebanon and the region. The public outrage that emerged from different sects, factions and political parties encouraged the international community to intervene and support the popular Lebanese mood to establish new parameters with Syria. Subsequently Syrian troops were forced to withdraw after their 19-year-old presence on Lebanese soil. The huge public demonstrations and rallies indicated a new era for Arab peoples to create their own agenda and future for reform, and the Arab regimes became more vulnerable in the face of such popular developments. On the other hand, the Cairo Declaration represented a new stage for inter-Palestinian relations and factional conciliation. Such success, seen as the most distinctive since the creation of the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1964, is the outcome of new dynamics materialized through the Second Intifada. The uprising motivated the different political factions and people in creating a new Palestinian vision for the future based on their solidarity and unity. The Declaration represented collective Palestinian obligations to consolidate their common political program. It paved the way for reform and to rebuild a new Palestinian political system based on the Palestine National Authority, the PLO, and with the participation of Hamas and Al Jihad Al Islami. It brought forth the Palestinian cause to more regional and international concerns. It was also a breakthrough in regard to Palestinian regional and international relations and seen as a contribution to the reform program in the region. The Jordanian development is part of that regional process for change and reform. The new Government led by Prime Minister Adnan Badran has a reform agenda. It has different challenges to contend with which may be based on tribal, geographical and personal grounds, but these can be overcome if economic and political reforms are instituted and developed to have a direct bearing on the lives of ordinary people. Such developments in the Arab region bring real opportunity for the governing elites to respond appropriately and positively to the requirements of national comprehensive reform programs and begin to tackle them. The capability, intention, will and determination to change and reform would serve to build a new Arab Nation bloc that would take its rightful place in the international community of nations and begin to contribute to all of its political, cultural, economic, and intellectual activities. The realization of the governments and people that the complementary role they can conform is the practical alternative to any conflict that might emerge in the reform process for the independence, freedom and democracy must surely be the new focus for the Arab Nation. |
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The Iraqi parliamentary elections were held at a time of a very complicated security situation and political circumstance. This was confounded by the ethnic and sectarian divisions and sharpened the political balance in society. The Sunnis boycotted the election process and many other political parties and leading figures have their own agendas that may even be at times linked to foreign elements and interests and against those of the people. The occupation forces continue to violate the human and political rights of Iraqis, but counteracting that is the growing resistance who are gaining more support in the country. The new Iraqi Parliament promised it will bring stability and security to the country based on a new Constitution to be endorsed by the end of 2005. But securing a stable environment depends on: 1- The nature of the Constitution 2- How the political system will respect the ethnic and sectarian character of Iraqi society especially since the Arab Sunnis have no real representation in Parliament. 3- A timetable for the withdrawal of US troops and their allies from Iraq. 4- A clear distinction between Iraqi resistance and blind terror. Such conditions act as the main limitations and measurements for any success to a secure and stable Iraq. Looking at the Iraqi situation after the elections one can only conclude there is no cause for optimism. The lack of security covers many Iraqi cities, the resistance is increasing in intensity and effectiveness, Iraqi soldiers and policemen are becoming preferred targets for Al-Qaeda with deadly attacks on their posts and stations, and the different political forces insist on keeping their own militias including a militia for the new Iraqi president. Such indicators suggest that a worst case scenario for Iraq will continue unless there are meaningful breakthroughs and initiatives that will lead to the full integration of society and the end of military occupation. |
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Israeli Violations to the Ceasefire (8 Feb. – 11Apr. 2005) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Sharm Al-Sheikh on 8/2/2005. He was able to tell him that a ceasefire with the Israelis can now be maintained based on his agreement with the other Palestinian resistance factions. Palestinians have shown their commitment to the agreement while Israelis continued their assaults and violations in different forms and scale. Abbas succeeded in convincing the Palestinians, in a meeting in Cairo on 17th March, to extend the ceasefire till the end of 2005. Such agreement was part of a deal amongst the different factions, the PLO, and the PNA under Egyptian supervision, becoming later known as the Cairo Declaration. Since Sharm Al-Shaikh Israeli troops made (3554) violations of the ceasefire through the period 8/2-11/4/2005 (nine weeks), a rate of 394 violations a week (56 violations per day). The violations included different assaults. Israeli soldiers carried out 695 incursions of Palestinian villages and towns. They dug up thousands of donums through 72 actions. They fired on Palestinians more than 560 times resulting in tens of casualties. They blocked, closed borders and closed the ‘separation wall’ gates more than 819 times. They also bulldozed five Palestinian houses. On other hand, Jewish settlers (para-military soldiers-militia) assaulted Palestinians and their property about 43 times. Such continued violation clearly risks the toppling of the ceasefire and the recreation of a new and bloody cycle of conflict that threatens the security and stability of the region. |
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Overview on the Political Split in Israel The following article discuses the Israeli political divide from a broad perspective while concentrating on parliamentary life, emphasizing that in the last six months major splits were witnessed in the National Religious Party (Mafdal), the National Union Party (Ha-Ichud ha-Leumi), and Yehudot ha-Torah. Also, Israel’s present governing political party, Likud, has seen a simmering internal conflict among its ranks which many say is likely to escalate. |
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The 17th Arab Summit in Algeria The report underlined the circumstances that preceded the Arab Summit which convened on 22-23 March 2005, especially those that related to US policies and actions in the international system and in the region including the Iraqi situation, the peace process, and the American initiative to rebuild a broader Middle East. The report stated the issues that dominated the Algiers Summit which included political, economic, social and even organizational issues. Many Arabs leaders did not show up for the summit while major international figures came and addressed the two-day conference, and included the UN General Secretary, Spain’s Prime Minister, and the EU representative. The outcome of the summit didn’t come up with new analysis of the Arab situation, instead stuck to the traditional positions adopted by the Arabs, both internally and externally. |
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The Arab Thought Forum Seminar in Bahrain: For a United Vision on "Moderation" Arab intellectuals and politicians met in Bahrain to discuss and suggest ways for the people of this region to form a united vision for the drawing up of a theory of “moderation” and to apply it in their day-to-day actions and thought processes. The event took place between 27-28/2/2005 and organized by the Arab Thought Forum. The participants acknowledged the difficult problems Arab societies are facing by the emergence of extremism and renunciation. They discussed the idea of building a theory of “Arab Moderation” based on Islamic principles; such a theory could serve as the social and political framework for internal and external relations in the Arab World. Initially however, Dr. Tayeb Tezeeni, a philosopher from Damascus, addressed the main principles and understandings of “Moderation” through national approaches. But in doing so he found himself in contradiction with different religious values and principles, and as such his presentation was criticized. On the other hand, Dr. H. Hanafy, an Islamic thinker from Cairo, based his argument on pure Islamic principles in addressing a theory of “moderation”. He used practical applications with original principles to argue out his case. He emphasized the role of injustice, oppression, military occupation and isolation as factors for increasing extremism and shifting the focus of society away from “Moderation”. Prince Hassan Bin Talal, ATF president, emphasized “moderation” as a theory must first be applied and then acted upon as a perquisite for resurgence strategies in the contemporary Arab world. He acknowledged that such phenomena will surely support democratic developments in the Arab World, believing such theory, if widely adopted, will unite all Arabs of different views towards denouncing extremism. |
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Reports and Articles In Poll, Israelis: No place for Palestinians in Our Land! In an Israeli poll by the Dahif Institute from 14 till 16 March 2005, 62% of Israeli respondents say it is impossible to reach a partial or complete compromise with the Palestinians. The poll showed 66% of Israelis are against the removal of Jewish settlements from the Occupied Territories, while 65% reject the establishment of a Palestinian state on these territories. The poll that covered 501 Israelis, showed 91% are against the right of return of Palestinian refugees to their homes in what has become Israel, and from where they where expelled from in 1948. What is surprising is that 71% of those that expressed such views said they belonged to the moderate, center, and leftist political trends in Israel, which points to the fact it is hardliners who make up the society and polity in Israel. The results emphasize that the attitudes of some politicians, whether European, American, or even Arab who say that there should be a greater appeal to the moderates in Israel should be revised. |
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Reports and Articles A Better Investment Climate for Everyone (World Bank Development Report 2005) The 27th World Bank report deals with one of the central challenges of development. It looks at what governments can do to create better investment climates for their societies and has a major effect on economic growth, the rate of unemployment and standards of living. The investment climate contains four core sectors: Stability and security, regulation and taxation, finance and infrastructure, and workers and labor market. If governments really want to reduce poverty, they need to bridge many gaps, build credibility with firms, foster public trust and legitimacy. The World Development Report 2005 explains how good strategies play a critical role for growth and poverty reduction in developing countries. |
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Reports and Articles Seven Years On: Role of the Research Competition for Jordanian Universities' Students (1998-2004) The Middle East Studies Center in cooperation with five universities in Jordan has been organizing an annual research competition for university students started in 1998. It has since become part of the Jordanian cultural and intellectual scene. More than 750 students with 123 research papers have participated in such events, and 25 of them won competition prizes. The 7th round of the research competition in 2004 witnessed the greatest number of participants where 174 students took part. Five Female students won prizes for this year. In addition to the organizers, many civil society institutions have contributed to financing the yearly competition. From its inception, the competition has been responsible for creating the medium of research in Jordanian universities. |
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