Jordan Times
Monday, May 24, 2004
Leaders adopt reform plan
By Alia Shukri Hamzeh
TUNIS, May 24 - Arab leaders on Sunday concluded their 16th summit after
endorsing a widely debated blueprint for political and democratic reforms in the
region.
The 13-point document, which stresses the importance of political, economic,
judicial and social reforms, is part of Arab government's efforts to push off
Washington's controversial “Greater Middle East Initiative,” expected to be
presented to the G-8 summit in June.
Arab diplomats emphasized the significance of adopting their own reform document
in order to present it to the industrialized group and avoid imposition of the
US initiative, which presses for political reforms in the region under claims it
was a fertile ground for terrorism.
The five-page blueprint of agreed on principles calls for greater political
freedom, good governance and transparency, advanced civil liberties and human
rights, women's rights and judicial reforms. The fight against terrorism was
included in the document, which also highlights the need to solve the core issue
of the Arab-Israeli conflict in order to allow for development and political
reform.
The document, however, falls short of incorporating a set time frame or
mechanism for the mentioned reforms but rather respects each country's right to
move at its own pace.
The rescheduled two-day summit was postponed for eight weeks after Tunisia
surprised Arab countries and cancelled the meeting, hours before it was due to
begin under the pretext of differences over proposed reforms.
The long-awaited meeting, marred by the absence of more than half of the leaders
of the 22 members, convened amidst growing Arab public anger over US military
abuse against Iraqi prisoners and Israel's repeated incursions on Gaza.
The summit issued a separate statement condemning Israeli raids on Gaza, which
cost the life of dozens of Palestinian civilians and left thousands homeless.
But according to observers, the fact that it was not incorporated in the final
declaration reflects “weakness” on the side of Arab countries in relation to the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Observers believe Arab countries should have taken a tougher stance on Israel's
military escalation.
Nonetheless, Arab diplomats noted that the summit — void of any major
turbulences other than the “dramatic” walk-out of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar
Qadhafi in the opening session in protest against the Arab League agenda —
reiterated commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative that was endorsed in Beirut
in 2002. The summit also criticized any attempts to prejudge final status issues
or solve the Arab-Israeli conflict without reference to internationally
recognized resolutions. The US angered Arab states when President George W. Bush
endorsed Israeli plans to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and only parts of the
West Bank. “No party whatsoever has the right to introduce modifications to any
point on which the peace process was based with the goal of backing out of its
commitments or agreements it has signed,” the summit declaration said.
The Arab leaders also condemned for the first time attacks on “civilians without
distinction,” in reference to Israeli and Palestinian civilians.
A last minute Lebanese proposal to change the article was rejected, diplomatic
sources said.
The summit also expressed solidarity with Syria in the face of economic
sanctions imposed by the US earlier this month.
On Iraq, as stipulated in the final declaration, the summit stressed on the UN's
central role in the war-torn country to end the occupation and help in the
process of transferring sovereignty to the Iraqi people. The leaders, however,
did not call for an immediate end to the occupation or set a specific time frame
for restoring sovereignty. But they condemned “the inhumane and unethical crimes
and practices committed by troops of the occupation forces against Iraqi
detainees” and demanded that those who committed the crimes face trial.
The closing session had begun 90 minutes late as delegates reportedly differed
over the procedure of signing the two reform documents related to
democratization and the restructuring of the Arab League and over whether to
mandate several Arab countries to present the reform document on behalf of the
22-member organization. Egypt proposed that Arab states open dialogue with the
international parties on the reform document through the institutions of the
league and not individually. The proposed paragraph, which was reportedly backed
by Jordan, prompted reservations from Syria. According to diplomatic sources,
Syria was against opening a window of dialogue with Western countries or blocs.
No formal mandate was given to Egypt or other countries. Bahrain, Yemen, Egypt,
Jordan and Saudi Arabia, as well as Algeria, have been invited to attend the G-8
summit. Arab diplomats said those going to the summit would discuss the reform
plans with the international community separately.
The US had announced it would use the G-8 summit to launch its initiative, which
aims to boost cooperation between Washington, the G-8, the EU and NATO in
backing political and economic reform in Arab and Muslim countries. The
diplomats noted that Arab countries managed to close initial gaps with the US
initiative over needed reforms and the fact that such reforms should come from
within. But they said the remaining difference was over the concept of Greater
Middle East Initiative, which incorporates Muslim non-Arab countries like
Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan in the reform plan.
Concluding the summit, Arab League Secretary General Amr Musa warned that the
decisions made did not mean that all issues were solved.
Observers and analysts said the summit was unimpressive and carried expected
results. They expressed pessimism over the effectiveness of the summit's
decisions in light of the league's weakness and the absence of a timetable for
most decisions made.
The summit had reiterated commitment to joint Arab action and solidarity in the
face of crucial regional issues. The league, for the first time since
establishment, made clear commitments to implement the organization's decisions.
Al Ahd document, which commits Arab countries to implementing the league's
decisions, has yet to be approved by governments and legislatures of the member
states before it goes into force.
13-point program
TUNIS, May 24 (AFP) - Arab leaders adopted a 13-point program to promote
political reform in their countries and fight international terrorism. Following
are excerpts of the document read by Arab League chief Amr Musa and which calls
for embracing a "process of development, modernization and reforms":
Bases and references for reform
The project affirms the determination of Arab leaders to pursue and intensify
the process of political, economic, social and educational reforms according to
the choice of their individual societies, their cultural and religious values
and their own possibilities.
Democracy
To widen the bases of democracy and the Shura (Islamic system), expand political
participation, achieve justice and equality, respect international human rights
and freedom of expression in line with international conventions. To guarantee
the independence of the judiciary and promote the participation of men and women
in public life.
Good governance
To establish a strategy for economic, social and human development according to
the principles of good governance, deal with poverty, illiteracy, environment,
health care and create jobs.
Education
Reform educational systems and improve the bases of knowledge to keep up with
scientific and technological evolutions within the respect of traditions and
(Arab) identity.
Women
Promote the role of women, consolidate their rights, encourage their effective
participation in development and their role in the political, economic, social
and cultural fields.
Tolerance and dialogue
The document underlines the commitment to the values of tolerance and
moderation, the need to bolster dialogue among religions and cultures, the
rejection of hatred in all its forms and the need to propagate solidarity and
cooperation among the people of the world.
Terrorism
Pursue efforts in cooperation with the international community to fight
terrorism, dismantle its networks and deal with its causes.
Distinguish between terrorism and the legitimate rights of people to combat
occupation. Fight against money laundering, drug trafficking and organized
crime.
Immigration
The document underscores the importance of the role of Arab immigrants in their
host countries and the need to preserve their identity within a framework of
respect for the laws of such countries.
Economy and trade
Pursue economic reforms, improve growth rates, activate the private sector,
privatize trade and reform state structures to pave the way for an adequate
reform program. Accelerate the creation of a (common) Arab market, develop
investments and follow market economy.
Middle East
In its preamble, the document links reforms to a just settlement of the
conflicts facing the region. It calls for stepped-up efforts to be made with the
international community to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the
Arab-Israeli conflict, in line with the Arab peace initiative and UN resolutions
leading to the creation of an independent Palestinian state with occupied
Jerusalem as its capital. It also calls for an Israeli withdrawal from all Arab
land occupied in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, including the Syrian Golan Heights
and the southern Lebanese region known as the Shebaa Farms. The document
likewise stipulates a just and negotiated settlement for Palestinian refugees in
line with UN General Assembly Resolution 194. It reaffirms the (Arab world's)
wish for peace, describing it as a strategic choice, and demands that Israel
reciprocate this position with an honest implementation of international
resolutions. Finally it calls on the Middle East, including Israel, to rid
itself of weapons of mass destruction.