Arab League in Iraq, BRICS Summit in India and Kofi Annan in China: New Failures for Syria

Political diplomacy and democracy enlargement touches new boundaries with the Arab League, BRICS and UN Envoy Annan, all discussing about ‘Syria’ this week.

Recently, President Bashar al- Assad agreed to adopt the 6-point peace plan forwarded by UN -Arab League Envoy Annan. No doubt, it was an intelligent move, as the statement is not a UN resolution, it does not demand Assad’s departure and no immediate date has been mentioned when this plan should be implemented. One can witness history repeating itself when the US Senators start the chorus of arming the opposition in Syria and UN Humanitarian Chief Navi Pillay states that there is ample evidence to arrest Assad. The same happened in the case of Libya when ICC issued arrest warrants against Colonel Gadaffi while David Cockburn revealed that both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch do not have evidence. No doubt, its not a conscientious choice to support Assad. But then again, we have to realise that at present, he is the one who is actually controlling Syria. If he goes away, who will take the responsibility that Libya does not shatter into a civil war.

Arab League Summit in Iraq

As far as the Arab Summit is concerned, its more of a long awaited opportunity for Baghdad to enter the limelight again. Unfortunately, only seven out of the 22 member states are attending the meeting. Qatar and Saudi Arabia have declined to join it. In fact, the Emir of Kuwait is the sole representative from Gulf countries to be present in Iraq. Sectarian issues are predominant here. Grudges against Sunni Arab majority being dominated by the Shiite government is unacceptable to Qatar. Nothing is more evident than the fact that Iraq’s PM Nouri al-Maliki has a lot of struggle to go through. No doubt, just like the ‘Friends of Syria‘ conference that took place in Tunisia last February, this Arab Summit is also not going to yield any specific results. Syria is no longer a part of Arab league and its Foreign Ministry is not going to accept any decision marked in this conference.

BRICS Summit in New Delhi

Talking about BRICS and how all these countries should really kick off an enigmatic and prudent head start in Syria’s case, everything turns sarcastic immediately. This week, Yeshi, a Tibetian revolutionary set himself on fire in New Delhi. Tibetans have been protesting against China’s embark to India as police officials jail them in. So, on one hand, India is trying to play the role of a saint by talking the measures that should be taken to ease of the burden of Syrian opposition rebels. But look whats happening inside New Delhi itself? Its neither retributive nor restorative justice being imparted to Tibetans.

Kofi Annan in China

Turning to UN envoy Kofi Annan, it seems, quite superficially that here comes a man who can make transparent changes. This week, he was in Beijing to talk with Chinese PM Wen Jiabao. Well, China agreed to support the peace plan but is not very clear whether it means complete commitment till the very end or just a casual backing of the peace plan. Annan also visited Russia and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev raise the same noble concerns. Sadly, diplomacy does not work by paying high profile visits. It concerns me why Vladimir Puntin and Kofi Annan did not meet and if they did, why no press conference has been launched for it. Russia indeed is a crafty situation. Well, Russia might be taking slow cautious steps just as Syria did in recognizing Russian Federation after the collapse of USSR.

Eventually, Syria is not Somalia where anarchy persists and the private sector adopts careful and meticulous moves to sustain the economy. The Syrian economy, or perhaps more, the common everyday livelihood of a Syrian has been effected by the US and EU imposed sanctions. Leaving the economy aside, one after another, all the foreign moves like Arab League Summit, the BRICS Summit and even Kofi Annan’s visit would not reap any results and are completely helpless. Well, perhaps this is exactly the right time to ask oneself, anyways ‘what exactly is the result we are searching for’.

Delayed invitation for Libya in 2012 London Olympics, major furore starts

Is it justice to decline the attendance of Libyan athletes in the 2012 Olympic Games on the basis of the political chaos being witnessed by the country? Or, would it be a mistake to provide the tickets to Libyan Olympic Committee which is headed by Colonel Gadaffi’s son and risk the safety of the Games?

These two questions are literally haunting the British Government which has to bear the fact that 2012 Olympic Games have become a ‘PR Event‘. Just  as the Royal Wedding attracted millions of visitors, the Olypmic Games is going to be an even bigger event. The greater the event, the higher the responsibility that couples it.

Currently, the Libyan government is not welcomed at the 2012 Olympic Games.

‘Troubled waters for the IOC’

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is definitely in troubled waters, as of now. To start with, it was founded by French pedagogue Pierre de Coubertin and includes 205 national countries in its list. in 2012, the games would be held in London. Sarcastically, one of the reasons for starting this international tournament was to foster peace and international communication.

Article 2 of Chapter One of the Olympic Charter states that the main motto of the tournament is to promote Olympism and uphold the ethics in sports, encourage participation and support the development of the sport.

Thus, IOC had no option but to provide tickets to the Libyan Olympic Committee which is headed by Colonel Gadaffi’s son Muhammad al-Gadaffi. Recently, the leaked news that Muhammad demanded for 1000 tickets through his personal connections irrespective of the fact that Britain and NATO are involved in bombing his own country, caused a major furore.

Also, the Britons themselves would not take this news with maturity, especially when ‘one million Britons missed out on the tickets’

‘IOC in its Defence’

The David Cameron Government has certainly started putting pressure on the IOC regarding the entire ‘tickets fiasco’. To start with, other Pariah countries such as Zimbabwe and Burma have also been invited.

No doubt, this would be a huge embarrasment for Britain if these countries attend the Olympic Games, especially taking into consideration that the innocent citizens in these nations are being butchered in uprisings.

Hence, IOC stated in its defence that it had to adopt the neutral stand so that the athletes do not suffer the brunt of the uprisings and tensions being inculcated in these nations with the Western super powers.

Jacques Rogge, the head of IOC had declined to comment on the case. Though, Mark Adams, the director has stated that IOC is waiting for the ‘clear situations’.

‘Safety’

More than anything, even the safety of the 2012 Olympics is a matter of great concern. Its a thought worth pondering that if the members of the Libyan Gadaffi regime enter into the British capital, would they avoid causing any kind of disaster?

And if there is a doomsday, would the IOC take the responsibility of it?

Also, would this responsibility bring back the loss of lives, if it happens, in any case.

One of the IOC spokesperson have stated that ‘no ticket has been printed or paid for, till now.’

In a nutshell, is Libya in the condition of supportings its own athletes and training them, at this very moment? I doubt if the conditions would change in the coming months and days, with the entire country being eroded with bombing.

 

‘Time is up for Libyan regime’ says NATO

‘Time is up for the Libyan regime’, says Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the secretary general of NATO.

Throwing light on the ‘substantial progress’ made by NATO, Rasmussen stated that more than 6000 sorties have been fired by the organisation in the past months. These air strikes have played an important role in toppling the Gadaffi regime.

Over the past days, NATO has been questioned about their output, often culminating into ambigious attempts and disappointing results.

Also, stating the rules put down by the UN mandate, Rasmussen said that NATO is working in strict conformity with the no fly zone, the air campaign and the arms embargo.

‘Targets of NATO’s sorties’

The 123 sorties fired by NATO on Thursday in Tripoli targeted Gadaffi’s compound, ammunition storages, command control centres, rocket launchers, tanks and self propelled anti aircraft gun.

Rasmussen once again stressed on the fact that the aim of the air strikes was not to target colonel Gadaffi but to protect the lives of civilians.

Though, Colonel Gadaffi made his first public appearance after April end today, after the death of his son.

The broadcast was made by the state run Libyan television to ensure that Colonel Gadaffi is not dead.

‘Libyan base in London’

Meanwhile, British PM David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague met with the Mustafa Abdul Jalil, the chairman of Interim National Transitional Council. They have decided to to invite libyan rebels to set up their base in London.

PM Cameron has also stated that the Libyan rebels are getting stronger while the Gadaffi forces are becoming weaker.

Abdul Jalil, on the other hand, praised the support by the British government for defending the stand of Libyan rebels.

UK has also pormised to provide body armour and uniform for the rebels.

‘Forced expulsion of rebels’

Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Refugee Chief has stated that the Libyan government might be expelling the migrants by force in a deliberate attempt to flood Europe.

Though,a recent boat carrying around 600 migrants sank causing terrible mayhem for the Libyan rebels.

Though, Colonel Gadaffi had initially warned the wave of migrants which would storm in Europe is the conflict continued.

‘Why not Syria?

Defending the stand of NATO while answering why it was not taking any action in Syria, Rasmussen stated clearly that the UN plays an important role in such operations. Irrespective of the fact that the situation in Syria is getting more complicated, the US and European forces can not intervene till directed by the UN.

Debate on air strikes worsens in Libya, International politics slaps

British Foreign Secretary William Hague has stated that the situation in Libya is further intensifying with probable establishment of a ‘long overhaul’

The questions regarding how long would Britain be able to support ‘the high tempo operations’ in Libya is a growing concern. The implementation of stupendous defence cuts has further aggravated the situation.

Britain has been sending body armors, telecom equipments and military officer in Libya as the coalition forces have entered the sixth week of air strikes in Libya.

The main countries forming a part of the coalition forces believe that it would take another 12 months to topple Gadaffi.

Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy has been questioning the future of British airstrike operations in Libya. And ofcourse, the concern is genuine as one day of air strikes costs millions of investment.

In the meanwhile, the Obama administration has granted 25 million US dollars to opposition in Libya. The aid would be used in the non lethal manner to support Libya’s Interim Transitional National Council.

The White House has stated that the aid would include supply of vehicles, body armour, radio, medical equipments and ambulance.

Meanwhile, the refugees in Misrata, have been complaining against NATO stating that it safeguards only the bigger population while the plight of the minority is not paid attention.

‘Target Gadaffi’

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has openly criticised the aim of killing Colonel Gadaffi without him undergoing a legal trial.

The International political divisions on what judgment should be bestowed to Gadaffi are becoming a matter of debate.

It has also led to further controversies on the supply of legal aid in Libya.

Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary has once again stated that the aim of NATO or the coalition forces is not to target Gadaffi.

Though, Foreign Secretary William Hague has stated that there are no legal constraints under the UN resolution in supplying aids in Libya.

He also stated that this would lead to the building of diplomatic, political and military pressure on Gadaffi.

‘Stop air strikes’

The African Union, in a move to take control over the uprising has urged the coalition forces to suspend the air strikes.

This was followed after the bombing of two buildings in Gadaffi’s compound in Tripoli by the NATO forces.

The African Union is all set to hold an extraordinary meeting in May to work under the AU Peace and Security Council.

Though, Zubedi, a Libyan ambassador has stated that everyone does agree that’s its high time when Colonel Gadaffi should surrender.

In the meanwhile, chiefs of 61 tribes in Libya have issued a letter stated by the French writer Bernard Henri Levy that the ‘divide and rule’ policy will not work in Libya and nothing will divide them.

Credits: Photo from Reuters

The Libyan revolt in London

‘The cowards of our revolution, you are overdue on your grave. You have spread fortune to Chad and Mali. Dirtied our reputation. You have the face of a shoe’

These words signify the English translation of an Arabic revolutionary song being sung in unison by few Libyan protesters outside the Libyan Embassy at Hyde Park.

Right from 17th February, when the protest broke out in Libya, its effect has influenced London too.

‘Our protests have influenced 5 Libyan diplomats to leave the embassy and join us,’ said a source who did not want to be named.

Few of these protesters have not returned home for 30 years. But it does not dampen their spirit, their fight.

One can see the protesters grouped into clusters and having discussions, young girls singing revolutionary songs, young guys conversing in their peer, old women scattered in some other corner.

But one thing is common in all of them. They all have chosen to do something. To revolt. To protest. Rather than to sit in the four walls of their luxurious homes and watch the news on TV.

One of them is Jalal Shamman, an artist by profession. Standing in the crowd but minutely observing everything around him, he knows what ‘hope’ means for the Libyan people.

‘These protesters include everyone, be it students, house-wives, teachers.’ he said.

I asked him, if he had painted something about the revolution. He smiled and declined. Perhaps, he would, now.

‘The number of protesters range from 500 to 4000. On 17th April, which marks two months of the revolution, we are going to have a massive protest in front of the embassy.’ informed Muftah, a retired activist.

Talking about the defection of Moussa Koussa, one of the protesters, Albashir, a Phd student in linguistics, took a very honest stand and said, ‘Moussa Koussa was the right hand of Gadaffi. How can he suddenly have a conscience?”

In the meantime, I was also interested to question if any pro-Gadaffi supporters have ever criticised these protests in London.

And interestingly, my question was answered by a young half-British-half-Libyan lady Hannah, who works in finance, ‘Once or twice, there were a couple of them. But I believe,  pro-Gadaffi supporters do not have a conscience.’

As the day approached the dusk, the voices, songs and enthusiasm did not decrease.

Towards the other end of the road, infront of the embassy, stood policemen. All serious. As usual.

Interestingly, the police and the protesters have a mutual agreement.

‘We have the permission to use this place for revolt. Till now, the police has never behaved in an inappropriate manner with us,’ informed Nureddin Waheishi.

But my ultimate encounter came with  Aziza, a 58 year old Libyan lady, who has lost her husband in this Gadaffi regime, years back. She has not visited her country for the past 33 years.

‘For 11 years, I was in Egypt. For 22 years, I have been in London.’ she says.

She carried a very subtle aura around her. Standing away in one corner, trying very hard to decipher my English accent and answer in her Arabic accent, our communication grew from the boundaries of journalism to the reality of torture and pain.

I asked her how she feels about the revolt going on, right now.

Maybe, I had bought an array of memories for her. And she did get lost in them, in the power of the nostalgia that made me feel my question was best answered in silence.