Mar 29,2012 | 22:47
Given the security environment and the political instability prevailing in Iraq, the mere fact that the Arab summit was held in Baghdad is a feat.
The Iraqis' success in convening the meeting is intended to send the message that the country is on its way to attaining security and political stability, a prerequisite to regaining a leading role in the region.
The Arabs' acceptance of the Iraqi invitation to attend the meeting in Baghdad was also meant to send a message: that Iraq has emerged from occupation and political chaos and rejoined the Arab fold as a free and independent state willing and able to reassume its traditional role as a major Arab country.
Judging by the summit's final communiqué and the Baghdad Declaration, nothing spectacular emerged from the summit; nothing of the sort was expected.
On Syria, the Arab leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Arab League peace plan and the mission of the UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan. The summit also called on Damascus to give the peace plan that the Arab world and the international community agreed upon a chance, and noted the grave human rights violations committed in Syria, especially the atrocities in Homs, which were described as crimes against humanity, and vis-à-vis which calls were meant to have perpetrators punished.
On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the meeting's final communiqué failed to depart from the traditional Arab position. It reaffirmed the validity of the Arab peace plan and the need to establish an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian soil.
There was no call for an end to the Palestinian division nor extending support to efforts to end the paralysing Fateh-Hamas divide.
As expected, the summit called for the establishment of a nuclear free region, but made no specific reference to the standoff between Iran and the Western world on the issue of Tehran's nuclear programme.
There was urging to promote an accelerated pace in the democratisation process in Yemen, but Sudan was not mentioned even though the tense situation between the north and south has the potential to get out of control and spill over into neighbouring countries.
Notably absent was any reference to the vital component of the Arab Spring, human rights, or to inter-Arab economic aid that could help combat pockets of poverty in the Arab nation.
Ideas about forging closer relations among Arab countries were also absent, but then, by now, Arab summits have lost their appeal to the people who expect precious little from them by way of addressing burning issues
© Jordan Times 2012
