Gebre-Michael Paulos
23 March 2003
opinion
Addis Ababa — The President of the United States of America, Mr. George Bush, the Prime Minister of the Untied Kingdom Mr. Tony Blair, and the Prime Minister of Spain Mr. Hose Aznar held a three partite summit in the Azores, Portugal, to decide on the future and fate of Iraq in the quite and calm and agreeable Mediterranean climate away from the hassle and bustle of New York and also away from the sarcastic political comedians playing under the title "Diplomatic License".
The jokes of the comedians generated roars of laughter from the audience. However, for some serious social observers and for some small nations, which have placed high hopes on international law, order and collective security, the jokes of the comedians must have caused deep sadness and great concern.
The three partite summit in the Azores was really a serious blow to the United Nations Security Council. The UN Security Council almost succeeded in settling the question of Iraq's disarmament peacefully.
However, the more the question of Iraq's disarmament became obvious, the more Bush and Blair became belligerent.
A peaceful disarmament of Iraq means the non-destruction of Iraq's infrastructure, institutions and communication networks. It also means the remaining of Iraq's rich oil deposits in the hands of the Iraqis.
This, of course, seems to go against the interests of Bush and Tony Blair and also against the interests of the big trans-nationals. The big trans-national companies will get business opportunities in the re-construction of Iraq.
Making money from the misfortunes of others is normal in this world.
When the three heads of governments were deliberating on the Iraq question in the Azores, the UN Security Council member states representatives and the chiefs of the weapons inspectors were preparing and seemed to be eager to start deliberations on the Iraq question.
However, after an agonizing suspense, the ambassadors of the three countries whose heads of governments were deciding the future and fate of Iraq in the Azores, spoke one by one on the discontinuation and non- existence of deliberations on Iraq, in front of T. V. cameras, at the UN Security Council.
The legitimate business of the UN was taken up by the three nations. Later on, the ambassadors broke the news of the withdrawal of the resolutions sponsored and floated by the three countries.
After sometime, the heads of governments holding a meeting in the Azores told the whole world that Iraq will be invaded after 48 hours without United Nations Security Council approval. If Saddam Hussien and his top aides and family do not leave Iraq in 48 hours, the 250,000 allied soldiers will enter Iraq without UN endorsement.
An issue which should have been decided by the UN Security Council was usurped by the heads of governments of the three countries conducting a meeting in the Azores. It was really a deadly blow to the UN, to the principle of sovereignty, to the peace loving nations who placed high hopes in international law, on the UN Charter and on collective security.
The leaders of the "War Camp" seemed to be concerned, at first, about weapons of mass destruction in the possession of Iraq. But as the chiefs of weapons inspectors revealed more information about Iraq, and the cooperation of Iraq was forth coming they changed their stance from weapons of mass destruction to the vital interests of their countries.
This was of course, for the consumption of their own citizens, especially, Tony Blair who was in danger of losing his job. No parliamentarian unless he possesses a high level of moral courage would go against the national interest of his country.
The three leaders of the "War Camp " did not care a hoot about global opposition or global disapproval of the war. They were simply interested in protecting their leaderships.
When the British Parliament was debating the involvement of British troops in the Iraq war, Blair repeated again and again with great emphasis that the military involvement of Great Britain was in the national interest of the UK.
This saved him from losing his job.
The statement of the leader of the conservative party during the heated debate was typical of how imperialists think. He rose to his feet and said, Saddam Hussien is a tyrant who killed his own people, but I am supporting Britain's military involvement in the Iraq war because it is in the national interest of the UK.
It now becomes clear that only the great powers, can speak of national interests, sovereignty and the rest of the world is supposed to say nothing about national interests and sovereignty.
The role of the UN in international affairs according to the Charter is to" maintain international peace and security and to take collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to world peace.
Furthermore, the UN Charter states that, "the Organization is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its members". Now that the Anglo-American coalition has the monopoly of economic and military power, international legality, diplomacy and the principle of sovereign equality of members have no meaning any more.
The super powers in coalition or separately are now at liberty to dismember any sovereign state on any pretext as the Federation of Yugoslavia was dismembered into weaker, smaller and mini-states. Iraq will also be dismembered.
British and American planes are striking Baghdad. Big explosions and "fire works" are seen in the air.
Iraqi civilians are migrating to neighbouring countries and the suffering of women, children and old people is inevitable. The air strikes being carried out are, they say, aimed at softening the air defences of Iraq" before ground troops crossed the borders into Iraq.
Today in the twenty first century it seems that only few powerful nations with nuclear deterrents can enjoy full-fledged sovereignty over their countries and resources.
The super powers in coalition or separately are assuming the authority of interfering in the internal affairs of sovereign and non-nuclear nations especially if they are strategically located and are also rich in natural resources.
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