Now We Can See a Time of False Peace and Safety!
WHICH WAS TO PRECEDE A TIME OF MIDDLE EAST WAR!
December 16, 2007
http://www.tribulationperiod.com/
The Annapolis Peace Conference and the recent CIA Intelligence info release of the 2003 Iranian halt in their nuclear program has, much as Osama Al Sharif indicates, let Iran off the hook.
I have covered a wide variety of incidents which indicate such is the case since the two events occurred. All of this produced a growing seeking
of affiliation by the moderate Muslim countries with jihad advocating nations and terrorist elements.
They want to be sure they are not left holding the bag when Middle East war breaks out, if they should see America leaving them alone to face the Islamic fanatical nations and terrorist groups.
The Excerpt from the Middle East Gulf News is quite representative of the viewpoint which arose, among moderate Arabs, after the Annapolis Peace Conference and the US Intelligence Report release.
Begin Excerpt from the Middle East Gulf News Article
Letting Iran off the Hook!
By Osama Al Sharif, Special to Gulf News
December 16, 2007
Excerpt from Article
It is now up to the IAEA to ensure that Iran’s efforts to develop a civilian nuclear energy program remain within that scope. The outcome of the Iran affair will help other countries that now seek alternatives to hydrocarbons such as Jordan, Egypt and the UAE.
The Iranian case must remain transparent and accessible, and the IAEA must get the international support that it needs to stay in control.
On the other hand, now that Tehran has been acquitted of charges of seeking to build a military nuclear program, its neighbors, among others, should pursue efforts to engage its leadership in serious dialogue.
The GCC’s historic invitation to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to attend the Doha summit recently was a step in
the right direction.
Iran is an important regional player whose policies need to be clarified especially with regard to the future of Iraq and relations
with the Gulf region.
It would be prudent on the part of the Arab League to initiate dialogue with the Iranian leadership. The US intelligence reprieve should afford the Arabs the opportunity to engage Tehran and make sure that positions are clarified on Palestine, Lebanon, the Gulf and Iraq.
Furthermore, the Arabs must underline the fact that while the American influence in the region will not recede soon, regional stability and security require that important players see eye to eye and stay in touch on critical issues.
Israel has suffered a blow as well as a result of the US intelligence acquittal. Along with Washington’s neo-cons, the Israelis would have loved to see an escalation in crisis that could lead to a military strike against Iranian nuclear assets.
Of course there is always the possibility that the collapse of the hardliners’ case might do some good.
A triumphant Ahmadinejad noticeably sounded milder as he called for dialogue with Washington and dropped anti-US rhetoric a week after the US intelligence report was made public.
While a divided Bush team ponders its agenda for Iran, it is unlikely that the two enemies will soon embrace.
Having engaged in sabre-rattling for decades, Washington and Tehran will continue to pursue a mixture of diplomacy and brinkmanship to serve domestic interests.
And while Ahmadinejad represents a certain flank of fire-brand politicians, there are others in his country who promote a different approach on many issues. With his approval ratings slipping fast over the failure of his economic policies, the Iranian president may not last in office much longer.
It is not far-fetched that in the post Bush-post Ahmadinejad era, Washington and Tehran will find a way to patch up their ties and end decades of hostility.
That is one reason why the Arabs should not get sucked into the particulars of the US-Iran tug of war.
It is up to enlightened Arab leaders, as well as Iranians, to recognize the need to launch constructive dialogue between the two sides.
The temporary pause in tension with Tehran should provide an incentive to bring the Iranians to the table and press for concord over issues that have so far soured relations and created mutual suspicions.
America for once can be sidelined while people of the region talk about their common destiny.
Osama Al Sharif is a Jordanian journalist based in Amman.
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