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| October 5, 2000 |
A sudden spate of humanitarian relief flights to Baghdad raised hopes, among media opponents of the UN sanctions regime on Iraq, that the Russian, French and Arab shipments are a sign that the embargo is eroding. The most intense editorial speculation on the relief flights' impact emanated from the Middle East. One Syrian paper argued that the flights from "UNSC members...France and Russia represented an international recognition of the uselessness of the siege" and confirmed the need for "an urgent international resolution to lift the siege on Iraq." Jordanian opinion pieces were especially strident in their support of the flights as a tool to "end an unjust siege that is bleeding the Iraqi people." Among critics of the relief intiatives, the Kuwaiti media were, not surprisingly, the most dismissive, branding the flights "nothing but a propaganda reward for the Iraqi regime from which the Iraqi people will gain nothing." Papers in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Germany expressed skepticism about the "humanitarian" nature of the French and Russian initiatives, while at the same time questioning the sincerity of the U.S.-U.K. stance on the sanctity of UN resolutions. Salient themes follow.
RELIEF FLIGHTS DON'T SPELL RELIEF FROM SANCTIONS: The Iraqi pro-government Internet website Baghdad al-Iraq expressed the hopes of anti-sanctions writers in the Middle East, South Asia and Europe when it asserted: "The Russian and French moves in favor of breaking the air embargo are in harmony with the world's step toward Baghdad." Sanctions opponents, however, said that the march towards sanctions relief could still be blocked by a powerful and implacable America. Cairo's pro-government Al-Ahram declared "ending the international economic blockade of Iraq will become a reality...unless [the U.S.] resorts to a new military operation against Baghdad." The U.S. was not alone, however, in questioning the wisdom of scrapping the "siege." As Manama's semi-official Akhbar Al-Khalij pointed out: "If the Iraqi regime is allowed to return unconditionally to the international community, its oppression of its people will be even tougher than now." Even supporters of lifting sanctions undercut the sanctions-busting significance of the flights by contending that "none of UN resolutions declared a ban on civilian flights."
A SKEPTICAL TAKE ON UNSC MEMBERS' MANEUVERS: Some writers focused closely on the Security Council maneuvering that lay behind the pecedent-setting Russian and French flights. They depicted Russian and French "humanitarian" concerns as a cover for their intense competition to occupy the economic inside track in a post-sanctions Iraq. They also gave little credence to the American and British insistence on the inviolability of UN resolutions. The Sydney Morning Herald, for example, posited simply that "the U.S. and Britain...wish to continue punishing [Saddam] not just for his 1990 invasion of Kuwait, but for his subsequent defiance."
EDITOR: Stephen Thibeault
EDITOR'S NOTE: This survey is based on 44 reports from 17 countries, September 26 - October 4. Editorial excerpts are grouped by region; editorials from each country are listed from the most recent date.
IRAQ: "Policy Of 'Eroding The Blockade' Succeeding"
Ruling Ba'th Party Al-Thawrah featured this article by Hamzah Mustafa (9/27): "When Iraq adopted a policy of 'eroding the blockade,' many, notably Arab brothers, imagined that this was for propaganda purposes.... In fact, [it] is a serious action that has its justifications and practical steps. These include proving the illegality of the ban imposed on civil aviation to and from Iraq. Undoubtedly, Iraqi diplomacy exerted strenuous efforts to crystallize formulas to achieve this goal. These formulas began timidly, although they were daring and brave because they posed a real challenge to the evil willpower of the United States. However, the situation now is no longer like this. As soon as Saddam Airport was opened to air navigation, Russia sent more than one civilian plane, despite U.S. and British objections. A small German plane then followed, and finally, a French plane landed.... The Russian and French steps and the steps that will follow prove...the failure of Washington's policy to persuade other UNSC permanent members to tow the U.S. line in interpreting UNSC resolutions. We are very happy with this development in the international understanding of the blockade. Yet we are saddened that the [European] foreigners are closer to the correct interpretation of the UNSC resolutions, and more averse to U.S. wishes, than the Arabs--who still adhere in 'letter and spirit and more' to the malicious, evil and aggressive U.S. interpretation of the UNSC resolutions. We do not say this to offend our Arab countrymen, but we say that it is a shame that so far no serious Arab initiative has been undertaken that would go beyond sweet words."
"U.S. Confusion"
published this item by Nasrallah al-Dawudi (9/26) in Arabic on its Internet site: "The U.S. administration is making a clamor regarding the French and Russian civilian planes that broke the barrier of the air embargo and landed at Saddam International Airport...which emphasizes U.S. confusion in the darkness of the tunnel, from which there is no way out except by conceding that the so-called air embargo is an aggressive lie. By means of this lie, the U.S. administration is seeking to persist in its destruction operations, killing innocents, milking further Kuwaiti and Saudi money, and unsuccessfully demonstrating armed power. France realized and still realizes the fact that Security Council resolutions and their interpretations...have not cited any paragraph that allows the United States and Britain to talk about the existence of an air embargo.... Similarly, the Russian position has never indicated it recognized [the] Security Council resolution.... The conflict at the Security Council underlines the wide gap between the five permanent members.... The Russian and French moves in favor of breaking the air embargo are in harmony with the world's step toward Baghdad. They assert that the Iraqi position is not far from deciding the battle and crossing to the shore of the future, if we have not already crossed."
KUWAIT: "Caution Is Urged"
Ahmad Al-Rubei asserted in independent Al-Qabas (10/4): "We have to mobilize our armed forces and be on constant alert, because we had a bitter experience with the Iraqi regime when Iraq invaded Kuwait. Iraq is attempting to lure us into a media war and that is why we have to be careful."
"Breaking The Embargo Is A Lie"
Shereda Al-Mousharji wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-Aam (10/3): "These air flights are nothing more that a scam used by the Iraqi regime to show its people and the Arab nation the strength of its resistance against the embargo and to convince them that patience helped defeat the strongest nations in the world and break the embargo ? This is why we should not be strongly affected by Iraqi propaganda."
"They Deny"
Hasan Al-Sayegh judged in independent Al-Anba (10/2): "The United Nations compensation committee approved awarding Kuwait $15.9 billion for oil losses incurred during the Iraqi invasion. Despite this being more than $2 billion less than the original demand, it is considered a victory for Kuwaiti diplomacy by rallying the committee's members in support of Kuwait's legal rights."
"Clear Positions"
Mohammed Al-Rashidi wrote in independent Al-Rai Al-Aam (10/2): "The positions of some countries in the international arena are shifting. As soon as Russia and France decided to fly their planes to Baghdad, Jordan and Yemen dared to do the same. Regrettably, this means that the international community is divided, propelled by economic as well as political interests. The reason for this is clear, given the recent oil crisis which affected Europe, whereby it believes that it had not fully benefited from the Gulf region's oil as the United States."
"Compensation Part Of The Robbery"
Jamal Al-Kindari held in independent Al-Watan (10/1): "Two important events were achieved in Kuwait's interest. The first was the UNSC approval to award Kuwait $15.9 million in compensation. The second was in stopping Iraq from drawing attention to its issues during OPEC's meeting in Caracas. The flights to Baghdad are nothing but a propaganda reward for the Iraqi regime from which the Iraqi people will gain nothing. The parties who sent their planes are demonstrating first class political hypocrisy, because they seek business deals with the Iraqi regime."
"If America Is Not Satisfied, Why Did It Not Do Anything?"
Ayed Al-Manaa wrote in independent Al-Watan (9/30): "Doesn't the United States know that if it had intercepted the Russian plane, other countries wouldn't have sent their planes to the civilian no-fly zone. Certainly America knows that ignoring one plane will open the door for other countries to seize the opportunity. This is what happened and it happened with undeclared American approval."
"Dangerous Syrian Games"
Abdul Amir Al-Turki maintained in independent Al-Seyassa (9/30): "The new Syrian government wants to maintain the American partnership at a time when the Americans no longer need it. This is why the Syrian political administration, specifically Al-Sharaa, is playing a dangerous game in thinking that this would allow it either to continue the partnership with Washington or to cash in on its downfall. The most dangerous of these games is the false sincerity shown toward the Iraqi regime."
"The Dismembered Gulf Media"
Faisal Al-Qanaie argued in independent Al-Seyassa (9/30): "The latest joke...was found in the paragraph that reads 'the GCC information ministers renew their commitment to a common message which reflects a unified position towards the recent Iraqi threats.' This is pure rhetoric and does not reflect the sorry reality. Only Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are facing these Iraqi threats. As for the remaining Gulf countries, they are standing by as spectators, thus leaving Kuwait and Saudi Arabia alone in the arena."
"France's Violation Of The International Embargo Imposed On Iraq"
Abdul Mohsen Al-Husaini wrote in independent Al-Watan (9/26): "France's violation of the Security Council resolution, especially being one of the five UNSC permanent members, is an issue that pertains to French morality. Commitment to international covenants and agreements, signed within the UN framework by countries such as France, is considered a moral obligation to be adhered to."
JORDAN: "A Decision That Needs The Support Of All Jordanians"
Taher Al-Adwan, chief editor of independent Al-Arab Al-Yawm, remarked (9/28): "Why does Washington insist on blocking the artery between Amman and Baghdad while opening the door for trade with Iraq to Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and all Gulf countries including Kuwait? It is no longer a secret that Washington wants to put Jordan in an economic stranglehold, to force it to swallow the outcome of the final status settlement. We go to Baghdad to build relations that pave the road to peace. We also go there because we feel that others and their allies are no longer interested in our fate or interests. They are only concerned with pleasing Israel and the oil companies, and with destroying the Arabs, pauperizing them, and occupying them with wars among themselves."
"We And Iraq"
Columnist Raja Talab wrote in semi-official, leading Al-Ra'i (9/28): "This flight represents a clear political message to Iraq and other parties. To Iraq, it reaffirms the special nature of bilateral relations not only economically, but also politically. The other part of the message was addressed specifically to the Americans after they started dragging their heels on the Free Trade Agreement, and opening the Palestinian market to Jordanian goods. Clearly, the present government is persuaded that the Iraqi market is the one that revives the Jordanian economy."
"A Brave Step"
Leading commentator Uraib Al-Rantawi wrote in center-left, influential Al-Dustour (9/28): "Jordan was the first Arab state to break the American dictates on Iraq, not the UN resolutions since none of them declared a ban on civilian flights. Jordan's act is compatible with a long tradition of relations on the official and popular levels. Needless to say, this does not mean that Jordan is taking one side or joining an axis against another in the torn Arab arena. It merely states that Jordan rejects an unjust siege that is bleeding the Iraqi people. It is also a message for all parties that the time has come to bridge our differences, join together, and bringing the suffering of the Iraqi people to an end."
"A Jordanian Airplane In The Skies Of Iraq"
Taher Al-Adwan, chief editor of independent Al-Arab Al-Yawm, commented (9/27): "This is not an ordinary flight. It is historic in its importance.... Today Iraq embraces a Jordanian airplane that carries the true love and solidarity of Jordanians toward this brotherly Arab people that has suffered for long from the iniquity of its brothers more than that of the true enemies. Jordanians will carry to Iraq the hope that the Arab nation may be able to overcome the age of shame where it kneels before the will of foreigners."
"The First Arab Airplane To Break The Siege Is Jordanian"
Columnist Salameh Al-'Ukour commented in leading, semi-official Al-Ra'i (9/27): "It is important to understand the reason why the United States, Britain, Israel, and the Jewish lobby that dominates the American administration seek to sabotage attempts to break the siege against Iraq. They want that country, with all its capabilities, to remain encircled, isolated, and without any effective role in supporting the Palestinians and Syrians in their peace negotiations. The important thing now is that initiatives and flights by Arabs and their friends to break the siege are increasing, which will open the door for Iraq to move and alleviate the suffering of its people. It is even more important that the Jordanian initiative should set an example that other Arabs follow."
"The Arab League Is Absent, So Who Will Fill The Void?"
Prominent columnist Uraib Al-Rantawi commented in center-left, influential Al-Dustour (9/27): "The ten-year old iniquitous siege on Iraq was not the result of an Arab League decision, but the League and all its member states observed it. Dismantling this siege now is an Arab and Iraqi responsibility in the first place, since there is a pan-Arab consensus on the centrality of Iraq in the Arab and regional order. Today, many observers believe with reason, that the siege is in its last days. It is important, hence, to win the last battle by arming ourselves with a coordinated Arab position achieved through the open channels of communication between Iraq and its national surroundings. Any blockage in these channels will expose Iraq as it undertakes a difficult confrontation, and it is the responsibility of the Arabs not to let this happen."
BAHRAIN: "Consequences Of Lifting Sanctions Unconditionally"
Semi-official Akhbar Al-Khalij published this view by Ahmed Kamal (9/27): "The number of airplanes violating the blockade is increasing. In addition, there are positive movements at the UNSC encouraging lifting the blockade against Iraq. This of course will be in the interest of Iraq but, on the other hand, the Iraqi regime will be the one which benefits most. It will...make it feel victorious because all Western and U.S. attempts to overthrow the regime have failed. Of course ending the blockade will make the Iraqi people breathe more easily, get what they need and perhaps deprive the regime from using their suffering as a pretext. But the Western countries should realize that if the Iraqi regime is allowed to return unconditionally to the international community, its oppression of its people will be even tougher than now. Perhaps the light which the Iraqis are waiting to see at the end of the tunnel will become a phantom."
EGYPT: "Eliminate The Sanctions Immediately"
Pro-government Al Ahram declared (10/2): "The collapse of the sanctions on Iraq through aviation is not enough to ease the suffering of the Iraqi people. All the sanctions should be eliminated immediately because they have lost their purpose over the years. They have become unwarranted, except as a means of retaliation, which reaps more malice that may create worse crises in the future. Normal civilian flights between Baghdad and the rest of the world should be resumed, and all the sanctions should be eliminated."
"It's Washington, Not The World That Has A Crisis With Iraq"
Pro-government Al Ahram observed (9/30): "With the continued civilian air flights by some countries into Baghdad to give humanitarian aid...ending the international economic blockade over Iraq will become a reality that the United States will not be able to change unless it resorts to a new military operation against Baghdad. After over ten years of sanctions, the world has
come to realize that the embargo is only a sword against Iraqi necks, not a political tool to force the regime to implement international resolutions.... The world has realized the tragedy of the Iraqi people.... On the human side, it was unimaginable that solving a political problem with the regime could be at the expense of a whole nation.... Politically, the Iraqi crisis...has become a crisis between Baghdad and Washington, not the international community.... So far, the United States has failed to achieve its political aims because of mistakes in its policy toward the Iraqi regime.... Those who supported the United States in 1990 no longer want to continue this support...since they have vital interests that cannot await American hesitation in settling the crisis outright."
"Why Can't Our Foreign Minister Fly To Baghdad?"
Columnist Ahmed Taha, writing in pro-government Al Akhbar, asked (9/28): "What is it that forbids Dr. Abdel Meguid, the chairman of the Arab League, (if the League is still an Arab institution) from taking a relief plane for the sake of Iraqi children, and landing in Iraq, thus announcing the end of the unfair sanctions imposed on our brothers in the land of Tigris and the Euphrates. Washington and Britain turned the sanctions into an excuse for daily aggression on civilians and on the innocent children of Iraq. Abdel Meguid wouldn't do it and I don't think that he would do it even if all the people of Iraq die. This is because the secretary general is the symbol of negativism and ineptitude, and prefers, like most of us, to sit, watch and applaud others as they step on the sanctions. The secretary general knows, like most of us, that we waited and done nothing until the Africans put an end to the sanctions on Libya. The president of Venezuela went to Baghdad, an Indian minister and Russian ministers went too. What are the Arabs waiting for to end the sanctions on Iraq? It seems that the siege is not on Iraq alone but on all Arabs, and it seems that Iraq will be the first to be freed from the sanctions."
"Unimaginable That The Sanctions Would Go On Forever"
Columnist Salah El Dine Hafez commented in pro-government Al Ahram (9/27): "Unfortunately, we believe that Iraq's policy has shortcomings and seems, willingly or unintentionally, to fall into the trap of helping the American schemers who continue their blackmailing and draining policies. They drain not only Arab and non-Arab oil, but also political efforts as well as economic and the military efforts. It is inconceivable--politically, militarily, economically, strategically, and even from a security or humanitarian viewpoint--to leave Iraq suffering from famine and humiliation under sanctions forever. The excuse that Iraq is threatening others is empty since everyone knows that Iraq is unable to implement any of its threats, because it simply does not possess the capacity to do so."
LEBANON: "Albright Worried About Breaches Of Embargo"
Lebanese broadcast and print media focused on the landing of several international carriers in Baghdad. Pro-Syria, Arab nationalist As-Safir ran a front-page article (9/27) highlighting the call from Damascus to "lift the siege on Iraq and prepare to break it.... Secretary Albright is worried about these Russian and French breaches."
QATAR: "Jordan's 'Solidarity Flight,' A Step In The Right Direction"
Semi-independent Al-Watan editorialized (9/27): "We welcome the latest developments in the Arab world which are challenging the embargo on Iraq. The recent visit of Tariq Aziz to Damascus marks a threshold of rapprochement between the two countries and a step toward ending 20 years of animosity. Jordan's 'solidarity flight,' scheduled to land at Saddam Airport today, is a significant contribution by an Arab state which epitomizes the feelings of the people of Jordan, the Arab world, and their brothers in Iraq. These developments are a reflection of popular opinion in the Arab world and a denunciation of the West's policies against Iraq and the Arabs. Matters seem to be moving forward and we hope to see more Arab planes landing at
Baghdad Airport. By doing so, we will send a message to the whole world that we have awakened at last, have conquered our weaknesses and are willing to take the initiative and alleviate, albeit partially, the suffering of the people of Iraq. We also hope that the Iraqi leadership will interpret this message correctly and will work toward the resumption of pan-Arab cooperation in the right environment."
"Sanctions Are Likely To Create Another Saddam"
Kuwaiti scholar Abdullah Al-Nafisi commented in semi-independent Al-Watan (9/27): "The flights between Europe and Baghdad are tangible evidence of a U.S-European dispute over the Gulf. The United States is a lonely superpower and is becoming increasingly isolated from the international arena.... The U.S.-European dispute is cracking the sanctions regime on a daily basis. The Europeans have conducted a series of studies during the past five years concluding that sanctions against Iraq have failed to achieve their strategic purpose. According to the Baker Institute, even if the Europeans agreed to participate in funding the U.S. military presence in the region, it would make the American soldier look like a mercenary working for the Europeans. That would be an insult to U.S. dignity."
"We Should Say 'No'"
Abdulhaleem Qindeel wrote in semi-independent Arrayah (9/27): "Washington's latest public diplomacy campaign against Iraq is an attempt to tighten sanctions. Washington has used Iraq's remarks against some Arab countries as proof of Baghdad's ill intent toward its neighbors. The current situation indicates that the United States is eager to launch another wide-scale attack against Iraq. This eagerness can be eluded by way of a united Arab-Islamic position.... We collectively and in unison reiterate the following: 'No on attacking Iraq, no on humiliating Arabs and Muslims, and death to the embargo and the air strikes."
SAUDI ARABIA: "The Wolves Are Fighting"
Riyadh-based, conservative Al-Riyadh held (9/26): "Several political and strategic analysts said that oil was the cause of the Gulf War. But the observer who played the game to win, and to return the region to bankruptcy, also made the Iraqi people, the Gulf and Iranian assets victims of this comedy. The absence of confidence between the allies has resulted in Iraq being a battleground in an unknown war. The reason for violating the air embargo was only the current oil situation. The competition between France-Russia and the U.S.-Britain is not to end the suffering of the Iraqi people but only an economic competition. This competition makes Iraq strategize in their quest to change oil prices and to collect their debts for investment purposes. It would not be a surprise if at any time an American ambassador came to Baghdad, raising his country's flag and carrying a list of oil companies, saying that they would like to rebuild Iraq."
SYRIA: "The Fall Of The Siege [On Iraq]"
An unsigned editorial in the government-owned Syria Times commented (10/3): "The arrival of planes to Iraq from permanent Security Council member states such as France and Russia, represents an international recognition of the uselessness of the siege. It also confirms the necessity to reconsider international sanctions. An urgent international resolution to lift the siege on Iraq is needed to end the death of children and the suffering of people in Iraq. This is the United Nations' responsibility. Will the UN be able to shoulder this responsibility?"
"Ending The Iraqi People's Suffering"
Syrian newspapers featured President Assad's meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Tarek Aziz. Government-owned Tishreen opined (9/27): "Syria has called for ending the Iraqi people's suffering and has taken all possible measures to help the Iraqi people.... The Iraqi government
responded to the Security Council resolutions and allowed the international inspectors to fulfill their mission. It was clear afterwards that the inspectors lacked honesty and violated the UN rules by spying for Israel.... The Iraqi people's suffering has become an international case.... The United States and the UK are held today responsible for increasing their suffering."
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: "U.S And UK Isolated Over Iraq"
The Sharjah-based, English-language Gulf Today editorialized (9/30): "The United States and Britain, the two allies and permanent members of the UN Security Council, appear to be being isolated in international diplomacy.... It is unlikely that regular scheduled flights will begin immediately. But the flight of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the first head of state to fly into Saddam Airport in 10 years, proved to be the real spur in giving life back to Iraq's battered commercial airline sector.... The United States and Britain are using the embargo policy as an instrument to marginalize Saddam. Historically, however, political leaders under siege fight adversarial situations and very often come back stronger.... Many Arab countries have urged resumption of flights as a first step toward pressuring the UN to lift sanctions."
"Aid Flights Deal Fatal Blow To U.S."
Government-owned, Dubai-based Al-Bayan editorialized (9/30): "The French, Russian and Jordanian aid flights to Baghdad along with other expected Arab moves will deal a fatal blow to the United States, which foils any attempt to end sanctions on Iraq.... The ball is now in Iraq's court; Baghdad should take utmost care to avoid any stand-off with the West. Baghdad should also react positively to moves aimed at ending sanctions. Iraq should refrain from any threats or provocative acts and extend its hand to brotherly and friendly countries by implementing international resolutions so as to lift the sanctions. We hope that Iraq can once again play its normal role in the Arab world. Iraq should understand these signals well and help itself to resume its journey back to the community of nations."
"Between Moving Forward And Turning Back"
Influential Al-Khaleej (9/27) referred to the interest generated by Russian and French efforts to flout the air embargo on Iraq--a campaign which will, according to the editorial, eventually lead to the complete lifting of all sanctions. It said: "The planes landing from Russia, France, and today from Jordan, will definitely lead to flights from other capitals. Therefore, Iraq needs to deal with this situation by taking positive steps to finally alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people. If Iraq takes the correct path, it can exploit current events. The violations taken lately against the 'American-British wall' are only the start... Iraq needs to stop its verbal attacks...which allow Washington and Lodon to benefit from the situation.... Ten years (of sanctions) have been enough to convince a number of countries and organizations that sanctions are not the appropriate solution.... Iraq should benefit from the current situation and not misinterpret it, as Iraq usually does."
"Investing In The Air Flights"
Government-owned, Dubai-based Al Bayan (9/27) focused on the importance of these flights, whether they are driven by political, economic or humanitarian concerns: "Whenever there is a hope for the Iraqi people, the Iraqi regime comes up with a contradictory move that jeopardizes the situation once more.... Iraq should refrain from provocative statements and should comply with United Nations resolutions."
BRITAIN: "Saddam Sells Medicines, Aid For Life's Little Luxuries"
The conservative Times reported (10/4): "Saddam Hussein is importing vast quantities of Scotch whisky and cigarettes every week while illegally exporting food and medicine destined for the Iraqi people, according to a confidential Foreign Office report. The Foreign Office document, which discloses the anger in London at the West's failure to win the propaganda war, spells out blow by blow how the Iraqi president has effectively shattered the sanctions regime imposed on Iraq. As the soaring price of oil shores up his power, Britain and the United States have found themselves increasingly isolated among the countries of the world in trying to keep the sanctions in place. The report says that the Baghdad regime is buying an average of 10,000 bottles of whisky...and 50 million cigarettes each week for the dictator's extended political and military elite. At the same time humanitarian goods that have been bought for the Iraqi people under UN supervision are being stockpiled and sold abroad. The Kuwaiti coastguard has intercepted ships loaded with food leaving Iraq, while emergency drugs meant for Iraqis have been discovered in pharmacies in Lebanon.... The Foreign Office dossier has been compiled in an effort to blunt the efforts of Saddam's propaganda and to persuade Western opinion that most of the suffering in Iraq is of Saddam's choosing."
FRANCE: "Embargo Against Iraq Has Lead In Its Wings"
Jean-Pierre Perrin pondered in left-of-center Liberation (9/29): "Is the economic embargo against Iraq at an end? Perhaps not, but the increasing number of flights to Baghdad is starting to hurt it. A second French plane is scheduled to leave Roissy for Baghdad today, one week after the first one. There will be European political dignitaries on board for the first time. This is a symbolic operation aimed at denouncing an embargo that is asphyxiating the Iraqi population..... This flight follows those organized by Russia and Jordan, the first Arab country to violate the embargo in ten years. A plane is scheduled to take off from Yemen...today and one promised by Damascus is also expected.... The first French civilian flight...caused controversy between Washington and Paris. On Monday, the Iraqi Sanctions Committee was unable to reach agreement on the policy to adopt regarding flights to Baghdad. The United States and Great Britain assert that an authorization from the committee is required, while France as well as Russia and China say that UN resolutions do not impose an air embargo."
GERMANY: "Saddam And The French"
Jacques Schuster judged in right-of-center Die Welt of Berlin (9/27): "The tyrant from Baghdad is again playing his almost ritualized game of warnings and threats against his neighbors. Saddam has not learned his lesson over the past ten years, and hardly anything was able to intimidate him.... All sides are helpless.... He shamelessly exploited the 'oil-for-food' program of the United Nations to blame the Americans for the suffering of his own people. Today, hardly any government is interested in hearing that Saddam blocked the shipment of food to his own people, thus drastically increasing child mortality in the country. The majority of governments is only interested in Iraq as a future trading partner and supplier of oil.... It is not surprising that Russia is now undermining UN Resolution 687...but the fact that France is increasingly undermining the oil embargo is more than annoying. Now even former French Foreign Minister Claude Cheysson is planning to travel on a 'protest flight' to Iraq. The greed for oil makes France forget any kind of solidarity. And there is even more: This policy shows the value of talk about a common European foreign policy, once one's own advantage is involved."
BELGIUM: "U.S. Not Happy With Relief Flights"
An unsigned article in left-of-center Le Soir noted (9/30): "The increasing number of international flights to Baghdad do not please everybody. The United States made no bones
about criticizing France on the Paris-Baghdad flight of last week. Last Friday, about a hundred passengers who wanted to travel to Baghdad were unable to leave the French capital. The NGO that launched this initiative denounced both 'the cowardice of the French government,' which reportedly was afraid of more American anger...and the 'responsibility of the Belgian authorities'--the plane was to be chartered in Belgium--'in the failure of our humanitarian mission of solidarity with the Iraqi people.'... Besides, last Friday as well, Saudi Arabia prohibited a Yemenite plane--with the head of Sanaa's diplomacy on board--from entering its air space to go to Baghdad. The plane was nevertheless able to travel to Baghdad by flying over Jordan."
"Between Syria And Iraq, The Warming Up Is Taking Shape"
Baudouin Loos observed in left-of-center Le Soir (9/28): "The surprise visit which Tarek Aziz, the Iraqi vice-prime minister, paid to Syria last Tuesday, highlighted that Syria has already called for the lifting of sanctions at the UN and that, according to Baghdad, commercial exchanges between the two countries amounted to $500 million annually.... Damascus's determined attitude should count: With the exception of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the Arab world--which has regularly stated its opposition to the sanctions on Iraq--will have a hard time not taking action, since Syria has shown the way."
"Flights To Baghdad Are Increasing"
Baudouin Loos reported in left-of-center Le Soir (9/27): "While there is an increasing number of calls in the Arab world for the Russian and French actions to be copied, the British and the Americans' anger looks, as the BBC pointed out yesterday, like that of a schoolmaster who would be powerless when his pupils run away once the bell rings."
AUSTRALIA: "Iraq And Oil Sanctions"
The leading Sydney Morning Herald opined (9/28): "The disagreement within the Security
Council has entered a new phase, with Russia and France angering the United States and Britain by flying aircraft into Baghdad without gaining prior approval.... Skepticism is in order about the declared motives of both sides.... There are investment opportunities for sympathetic friends [France and Russia] if sanctions are lifted.... As for the United States and Britain...they wish to continue punishing [Saddam] not just for his 1990 invasion of Kuwait, but for his subsequent defiance."
SOUTH ASIA
BANGLADESH: "Time For Sanctions Against Iraq To Go"
The independent, English-language Bangladesh Observer commented (10/3): "French and Russian humanitarian flights into Iraq, followed by Jordan's, strongly point to how, both internationally and regionally, the response to sanctions against Iraq is turning more clearly in favor of Iraq and against the atrocious wrong being wrought through the sanctions under UN and U.S. auspices. Regionally, in particular, Jordan's example must be followed by other Arab and non-Arab Muslim states, acting in defense of both humanitarian urgencies in Iraq as well as the solidarity of the Arab/non-Arab Islamic world. Incidentally, the news that, in the Venezuelan capital, Iranian President Khatami and Iraqi Vice President Taha Yasin Ramada met and talked fits very well into the new drive for regional solidarity. It is more than time that Iran and Iraq gave the green light by burying their hostile past. History is beckoning both of them, as well as the region, toward a new unity and to rise to the new challenges that are ahead.
INDIA: "Iraq Back In Business"
The centrist Hindu's Bahrain correspondent wrote (10/1): "U.S. interests...too, are being served when...countries send their planes into Baghdad.... In sending their planes to Baghdad, Russia and France have...initiated efforts to placate Iraq on the bigger issue of the continuing sanctions.... The global energy situation might not be at a crisis stage yet, but it is sufficiently precarious for those who will suffer most to warrant doing something about an embargo largely kept in place by two countries that will perhaps suffer less. To the extent that these moves to placate Iraq stave off the crisis in the short term, they probably have the silent cheers of the United States."
"Sanctions-Busting Nations Save Iraq"
The left-of-center Deccan Herald opined (9/28): "The United States is...powerless to act against those involved in sanctions-busting. Baghdad would almost certainly retaliate by turning off oil shipments, if only for a few days or weeks, thus sending the price of oil sky high.... In the long term, once it is permitted to develop the two new major oil fields in the south of the country, Iraq could increase its output by as much as 40 percent, challenging Saudi Arabia, the world's largest producer. This being the case, it is not surprising that French and Russian companies have signed deals with Iraq.... With the present tight market likely to continue for some time, Washington is certain to come under increasing pressure to lift sanctions on Iraq so that the country will be able to upgrade its severely damaged existing fields and develop its full potential. The world's oil consumers cannot afford to go on isolating Iraq."
"Back To Baghdad"
An editorial in the centrist Indian Express said (9/27): "In Baghdad, the [Indian] minister for external affairs is being seen as a forerunner for sanctions-busting Indian flights along the lines of French and Russian flights. If so, the MEA should be congratulated for thinking ahead.... With three members of the Security Council...urging that sanctions be ended and two of them now actually crossing the American line, it looks like the beginning of the end of Iraqi sanctions."
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