Condoleezza Rice in the Middle-East
On 15 November last week, US Secretary of Defense Condoleezza Rice announced a “good step forward” in regards to Israeli-Palestinian relations and peace-talks. She referred to the agreement between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas over the reopening of the border between Gaza and Egypt , which had been sealed since the Israeli pullout from the area this past summer. The talks over the issue had been deadlocked since Israeli settlers and Defense Forces left the area until Ms. Rice's arrival to the region this week.
The opening of the border under Palestinian authority could highly develop the Gaza strips' failing economy through trade and hopefully bring a level of prosperity, or at least self-sustainability, to the impoverished Palestinians who live in the region. It will also mark the first time ever that the Palestinian Authority would control an international border. The main obstacle to an agreement before laid with Israeli fears that the border would more than likely become an entry point for weapons and fedayeen (militants) to Gaza and ultimately, Israel . European monitoring of the border headed by an Italian general, plus video surveillance by Israel , laid-to-rest these worries.
The highlight of the Defense Secretary's visit to the region, Washington hopes that the agreement will help the peace talks along and help the faltering image of the US in the Middle-East. Ms. Rice also made a trip to Amman where she attended a memorial for those who had perished in the terrorist attacks in three of the Jordanian capital's top hotels on 9 November. Rice also made a surprise visit to Iraq in order to boost soldier morale.
But the focal point of the trip to the Middle-East, at least beforehand, was a summit in Bahrain. Backed by the US , political and economic reforms were the main topics of the meeting. Although the proposed 100 million dollar fund was raised (50% by the US ) for economic development within the region and the guidelines in which the funds would be used were agreed upon, the guidelines for the 50 million dollar fund to support political change (ideally for groups and parties opposed to their oppressing government regimes) was not finalized. The proposed idea “ to expand democratic practices, to enlarge participation in political and public life and to foster the roles of civil society” turned the talks into a stalemate, as US ally Egypt refused to sponsor such a declaration that would ultimately help provide rights to public activists and women.
Following a speech which highly condemned the authoritarian regime in Syria for the oppression of its own people, Dr. Rice really did not have too much to say after being sidelined by her own ally. Egypt , which had not experienced multi-party elections until this year (that led to the reelection of President Hosni Mubarak, contradicting polls taken before the elections), faced no scrutiny. This, I believe, shows the double-standard of US policy in the Middle East . It is quite simple for the Bush camp to criticize the Syrian government (which by NO means is innocent of totalitarianism, within and beyond its borders, i.e. Lebanon ). However, when it comes to allies in the region who may be as authoritarian and/or guilty of hindering democracy as Hussein or Al-Assad, it has been US protocol to look the other way.
After the failed Summit, Rice traveled to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia , where she held an audience with King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz. Far from being a lover of democracy, the Saudi monarchy is notorious for infringing on human rights and the debasing of women status. However, “ the fact is that the Administration views the relationship as one that is strong and broad and where we have many, many common interests and where we are acting on those common interests,” Rice stated in the Kingdom. A strange relationship based more likely on business rather than politics or safety, the US-Saudi alliance is probably one of the most unique in history. Yes, the differences in tradition and culture are great, and business is good for both the Saudis and oilmen of Texas, but is that enough reason for the Bush Administration, or any past administrations, to turn the other cheek on a “friend” who many accuse of donating large amounts of money to terrorist organizations and madrasas in Pakistan and Bangladesh that teach young students intolerance and hate ( http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RS21654.pdf ). Again, the double-standard.
Despite these long-term policies, Condoleezza Rice should be congratulated on being able to bring the Israelis and Palestinians together and bring about an agreement. Such a small, yet vital achievement has strong indications that the Palestinian economy will further develop, and gives hope for normal communications between the two people that can one day usher in a peaceful era.