Subdued Iraq finally seems to see reason

Amid talks about an imminent strike on Iraq, Arabs in general and Kuwaitis in particular recall the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990. The Arab press focused on the twelfth anniversary of the invasion and discussed its implications in light of the current situation and international policies.

This year, the Iraqi regime did not celebrate the anniversary of its invasion of Kuwait because it recognised that the current conditions are very dangerous, and that the military marches would be received negatively by the international community as also the carpets bearing the U.S. president's image, which would only provoke the Americans, writes Abdul Rahman Al Rashid in Asharq Al-Awsat (UK based).

The question is why has it taken Iraq all these years to recognise this. Some will say that Iraq was not given the chance. But this is not true because Iraq has never tried to change from its policy of protecting its interests by the use of force to one of peaceful coexistence, adds Al Rashid.

The Iraqi regime has misinterpreted the U.S. foreign policies and its stand on Iraq after the Gulf War. It is true that the U.S. monitored the Iraqi leadership but this is not because it is an enemy, as it does not differ ideologically from the U.S. like the Al Qaida and is not politically dangerous like Iran, says Al Rashid.

In fact, Iraq had better chances of becoming a U.S. ally more than any other Arab country because of its oil resources and secular system. This regime should know that it is not being targeted because it is a dictatorship since there are many dictatorships in the world and war has not been declared against these. It should realise that it is being targeted because of its isolationist policies and rejection of international inspectors, concludes Al Rashid.

Although 12 years have passed since Kuwait's war of liberation and many regimes have changed, the situation in Iraq still remains in a state of flux. Due to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's clinging to power and other countries' vested interests in Iraq, the fate of the country is at the mercy of the latest developments, writes Talal Abdul Karim Al Arab in Al Qabas (Kuwait).

The fatal mistakes of the Iraqi leadership that led the country to two destructive wars have encouraged many to make the most of the opportunity. Certainly, these vested interests threaten the unity of Iraq and even its existence. These threats resurfaced with the announcement of the U.S. intention to strike against Iraq, which will affect not just Iraq but also the neighbouring countries, says Talal.

But it seems that the Iraqi regime does not care about Iraq and its future and all that Saddam cares for is his own safety. This is exactly how he behaved after his irrational war with Iran and the liberation war of Kuwait. It is clear that the Iraqis' cries of triumph during these wars were not prompted by the victory of the Iraqi army but the safety of the Iraqi president and his regime, adds Talal.

Also, all that is happening behind the scenes aims at protecting the Iraqi regime and not the Iraqi people or the country's infrastructure. But the Iraqi regime should seriously consider international opinion on its the geographical and demographical situation. It should sacrifice power for the sake of unity, concludes Talal.

The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait resulted in significant changes in the Arab world such as the surfacing of political differences among Arabs and the deadlock of the Palestinian cause, writes Badr Sultan bin Issa in Al-Seyassh (Kuwait).

The imminent U.S. attack on Iraq bears no relation to the war of liberation of Kuwait, or maintaining Kuwait's security, or eliminating the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, or ruining the so-called fourth strongest army in the world, adds Issa.

Also, the Iraqi army seems to frighten only those whom the U.S. wants frightened, and the Iraqi regime does not threaten neighbouring countries and their security. The so-called Iraqi threat is a mere invention of the American media to force Kuwait and the Arab countries to join it in the forthcoming aggression. On the contrary, the U.S. supports Israel, and this support supersedes that extended to Arab countries. Also, while planning to strike against Iraq, it is also keeping an eye on Iran as a member of the so-called axis of evil, clarifies Issa.

The reasons that Bush gives for striking against Iraq are very weak. Certainly, President Bush needs the Jewish votes as they control the American media and financial institutions. The U.S. has announced that it wants to rid Iraq of a dictator and help the Iraqis, but it has forgotten that Saddam was its ally during the Iraq-Iran war.

Going by this, Saddam should remain in power if he intends to attack Iran and should be overthrown if his removal is needed to help the Republicans succeed in the forthcoming elections, says Issa.

Although Kuwait prefers a regime that is less violent than Saddam's, it is indifferent to the idea of toppling him. What matters to Kuwait is that it should not be pushed towards direct confrontation with Iraq as a result of U.S. pressure. For this reason, the decision of joining the U.S. should be discussed at the national assembly and not left to ministers, concludes Issa.

The twelfth anniversary of the Iraqi invasion has passed without the usual celebrations carried out every year in Iraq. This is a wise step considering the current circumstances, writes Zuhair Majed in Al Watan (Oman).

The Iraqi invasion had significant consequences as it expedited the conclusion of the Oslo agreement and led to the extension of U.S. power in the Arabian Gulf and its direct control of oil resources.

Indeed, the Arabian Gulf has become an American lake over which American forces pass through as and when they please, adds Majed.

During the term of Bush senior, it was clear that the war had not ended. It is also obvious now that the war will not end with the toppling of Saddam or allowing in the international inspectors. It will end only after the restructuring of the region and the removal of any obstacle to the U.S. presence in the Gulf. Thus, after 12 years, Bush junior is back to complete his father's mission, concludes Majed.