 |
| Search |
|
|
Non-Profit Partners
University of Houston
KPFT 90.1-FM
WTP-TV, Cable Channel 17
|
|
Clovis Maksoud is the Director of the American University Center for Global South. Maksoud is a Lebanese national who served as the Chief Representative of the Arab League in the United States and the United Nations. When the Iraq-Kuwait crisis occurred on Aug. 2, 1990, an Arab summit took place in Cairo, Egypt on Aug. 8 that divided Arab states on their stand. Maksoud submitted his resignation from the league on Aug. 15.
In an interview with World Internet News' Rami Eljundi, Maksoud shared his thoughts about democracy in the Arab world, the path Iraq is heading for, the US stand-off with Iran and the recent elections in Palestine.
How do you feel about Democracy in Iraq?
Democracy? There was no element for it. What is going on is the fragmentation of Iraq into an almost total loss of Iraqi identity. I think that in the next week or two, if there is no serious and functioning unified capability of national unity, we are in a situation where the disaster will continue and grow. Let us hope it will be possible in a week or two. Otherwise, the so-called democratic option will be lost for years to come.
How and why?
I think that the situation of tension has been compounded by the threat to Iran at this moment. The region is like a tinder box and it is important that Arabs unite into a purpose, instead of fragmentation that characterizes their actual situation. That has paralyzed the institutions of the recent summit of the Arab League [in Khartoum, Sudan].
In regard to the current tensions between Iran and United States, where do you see things going?
As long as it is going to the Security Council, I think that the “axis of threats” the United States tries to impose would be modified, if not vetoed by other [permanent] members of the council. I think the language Iran uses in asserting its right to access [nuclear technology] for peaceful uses could be made more persuasive and diplomatic rather than acute. I believe Iran has the right to access for peaceful purposes. Yet, on the other hand, I feel it is necessary for them [Iran] to temper down their language.
Do you see a repetition of the Iraqi scenario with Iran?
I do not think so. I think because the pressure the [Bush] administration has exercised through lying about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq has now become counter-productive for the Bush administration. There is only one chance he might want to escape the growing attack on the policies in Iraq within among the American people. He might want to escape and attack Iran in order to gain some sort of popularity under the pretense of national unity. But I think the American people believe that his record of distorting the facts, particularly of the neo-conservatives, has constituted a guarantee against further irrational adventures like what happened in Iraq.
Do you think the American public has the ability to prevent another scenario with Iran?
I think more than what has happened in Iraq. In Iraq it was a deliberate, intensive, disturbing campaign. People are more skeptical about the declarations of the administration and of what Bush says.
The newly elected government in Palestine has been under mounting pressure. The United States, European Union and some Arab governments are putting obstacles before it. On the other hand, as soon as he won the elections, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has asked the EU to reconsider its ‘unjust’ stand from the Hamas-led Palestinian government. How do you see Hamas dealing with all of this?
This just shows the duplicity and lies. It shows the total lie about preaching to Arabs on democracy, which has been a false slogan just to control the development processes in the Arab world. I definitely think Hamas and the Palestinian people are being penalized. On the other hand, I feel because they [Hamas] joined the electoral process, which proved to be the most acceptable group at this moment due to their clean record. They [Hamas] have fallen into the trap of Oslo [Accords]. Therefore, there must be serious re-considerations.
© Copyright World Internet News 2006-07
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
