June 9, 2004

Jordan Times

Challenges for G-8

Editorial

The leaders of the G-8 summit have a good deal on their plates. What started as an agenda on global economic matters soon changed to a forum for consideration of major political issues. The big eight industrial countries realise that no major economic issue can be addressed in isolation of macropolitical concerns affecting various regions of the world and, in turn, global politics.
His Majesty King Abdullah's attendance at this year's G-8 meeting again shows Jordan as a major player in the politics and economics of the Middle East. Regional leaders from the developing world were also invited, giving added value and significance to the G-8 annual gatherings.

What makes this year's meeting even more important are two major developments. The UN Security Council is expected to vote on the US-British draft resolution on Iraq at the same time as the G-8 leaders are meeting at Sea Island, Georgia. A convergence of interests of the permanent members of the Security Council is making it possible to adopt the draft resolution by, at least, consensus. This signals a new era in Iraq.

All the signs emanating from within and outside the country suggest that a solution for the Iraqi conflict lies in the near horizon. Washington and London have accepted major amendments to their original text so that Paris, Moscow, Beijing and Berlin will be able to support the new resolution. From within Iraq itself, Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has succeeded in entering into agreements with several militant groups operating within Iraq to lay down their arms and disband. The breakthrough achieved by the new Iraqi premier on this front is a good omen for the future in the troubled country.

With the international community now closer than ever to seeing eye to eye on Iraq and how it should restore its full sovereignty, the current G-8 meeting will be able to put its own stamp of approval on recent developments on Iraq.

No less important is the movement on the Palestinian front. With Egypt now ready and able to assist in the implementation of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's withdrawal plan from the Gaza Strip, signals from the area suggest that new windows of opportunity are being opened.

Last but not least, the big eight are also expected to address reforms in the Arab world and elsewhere. As King Abdullah has pointed time and again, any meaningful reforms must come from within the Arab ranks and must not be imposed from outside. This much the G-8 countries have now been able to comprehend and endorse. The Arab world knows only too well the rules of the game on reforms and what needs to be done to comply with international norms.

The issues are recognised. The challenges are complex. But the will of the participants can go a long way to resolving the problems and advancing the economic and political fronts on both regional and global levels.

With the input from King Abdullah, Bahrain's King Hamad, Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh and Iraq's President Sheikh Ghazi Al Yawar, the G-8 can count on candid discussions straight from the horse's mouth.