Perspective From an Arab Country Jordanian Politicians, Officials State Their Views in Aftermath of U.S. Attacks by Caroline Faraj Apprehension and shock caused Arabs and Muslims alike to be glued to their television sets since Sept. 11, condemning the horrific scenes in New York and Washington, D.C., and anticipating a harsh retaliation against their nations. What they saw was beyond imagination, and naturally they were in a state of disbelief and shock. In the aftermath, the desire to fight back and punish those responsible was tremendous. Individual countries, the United Nations, NATO, countries of the Middle East, Islamic organizations, and many others stand ready to join in an effort to fight and eradicate terrorism at its very roots. Many Middle Eastern countries made statements of position. "I believe it is in all Arab and Muslim countriesí benefit to have a clear position in condemning terrorism and to join the international efforts or coalition working hand in hand with the rest of the world in combating terrorism for the sake of their peoples," said Jordanís Speaker of the Upper House Zeid Rifai. "Therefore, I think it is a wise decision for us in Jordan to be part of the international coalition because it is a war between good and evil," Rifai added. However, some Arab analysts believe the mobilization of such a huge, unprecedented coalition force in an effective and successful manner requires a great deal of planning, preparation and patience. "Any strike or retaliation should be supported by a long-term, internationally coordinated and sustained action capable of malleability and adaptation as the situation may require, because the process of routing the viper that is terrorism can be long, complicated and protracted," said an Arab political analyst based in Cairo, who asked not to be named. Hence, most Arab leaders and politiciansóexpressed through the interviews or official statementsóbelieve that "the logical deduction should rightly assume that such effort will have to be organized under the auspices of the UN, as any sustained effort needs to have a legal framework," according to the Arab analyst. "Any effort should be channeled and supported within the right environment of the UN in order to secure an international commitment and ensure global support," added the analyst. "Any decision should not be taken on an emotional basis as the roots of terrorism have to be attacked." On Sept. 18, Jordanís King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak agreed to join U.S.-led efforts designed to stem global terrorism, according to a Jordanian official at the royal palace, on condition of anonymity. Egypt and Jordan are Washingtonís closest Arab allies and the only two Arab countries to have signed peace treaties with Israel, in 1979 and 1994, respectively. The Jordanian official said Abdullah was "trying to build a unified Arab position against terrorism for the common interest of Arabs." Secretary of State Colin Powell Sept. 18 called for Arabs to join a global campaign against terrorism in the aftermath of the plane attacks on New York and Washington, stressing it would not be a war on Islam. Commenting on Powellís statement, Arab League chief Amr Musa said on Sept. 18 that a number of Arab states would not participate in any anti-terrorist coalition put together by the United States and that includes Israel. Speaking after a meeting of the 22-member organizationís permanent delegates, in which some countries expressed reluctance to participate in a coalition involving Israel, Musa said: "A number of Arab states will refuse to participate, because Israel is a state that practices occupation." For many Arabs, the collapse of the peace process and the United Statesí unlimited support for the Israeli government are reasons enough to have little sympathy for the plight of the rest of the world. "Terror acts are the consequences of world crises, not only the Middle East conflict, and solving them prevents such attacks from taking place," said chief of the Jordanian Royal Court Fayez Tarawneh. Moderate countries such as Egypt and the oil-rich Gulf monarchies have recently expressed their frustration with Washingtonís failure to act in the Middle East deadlock, analysts said. Faced with growing anti-American public opinion, leaders in these countries repeatedly called on the United States to intervene directly to end the year-old blood bath in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Tarawneh meanwhile renewed Jordanís condemnation of the attacks and recalled that the kingdom had also been a victim of such violence over the decades. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister of Jordan and veteran politician Taher Al Masri called for a unified Arab position in talks on the importance of solving the Middle East conflict with the United States or Western leaders. "I think the Arab leaders should not accept to join any U.S. coalition for free, without any price," said Al Masri. "They should explain clearly and openly to the U.S. and other Western leaders that their support for Israel is causing them problems, and it is becoming very costly; reaching a just and comprehensive solution for the Middle East problem is a must and a condition," he added. On Sept. 16, King Abdullah who had to postpone a summit scheduled for Sept. 20 in Washington because of the terrorist emergency in the United States spoke to President George W. Bush on the telephone and "agreed to meet by the end of this month," the palace official continued. Abdullah reportedly reiterated to Bush that Jordan stands by the United States and urged him to seek peace in the Middle East and help secure a just solution to the Palestinian cause. Abdullah said in several interviews recently that he doubted the attacks would have taken place had Washington helped solve the problems in the Middle East, especially the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Most regional governments are reported to be having difficulties in striking a balance between supporting Washingtonís crackdown on terror while trying not to appear sucked into the American orbit. "Leaders should not accept any U.S. interference in their domestic security or policies," said Al Masri, referring to Arab and Muslim regimes. However, Jordanís Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb said on Sept. 20 that national interest takes precedence over any other considerations, and he called for strengthening and uniting the internal front "to face the era that followed the recent terrorist attacks on the entire world and on our region, as part of the world." Speaking during a meeting at the Upper House of Parliament, followed by another meeting with political parties, Abul Ragheb said Jordan stands firm in its fight against terrorism because it suffered greatly from terrorism and terrorist activities targeting Jordanian citizens and property. Abul Ragheb said the terrorist attacks against the United States created new realities, which will have military, political and security implications on the world at large. In dealing with these realities, Jordan will work in coordination and consultation with its Arab brethren to reach a joint understanding to serve Arab interests, Abul Ragheb said. "The current and upcoming phases facing Jordan and the region call for a strong and united position based on national security and stability," Abul Ragheb said. The political, demographic, economic, security and human implications imposed on Jordan because of its geographic location between two countries with the most complex problems in the regionóPalestine and Iraqóadd substantially to the kingdomís already arduous responsibilities and challenges. Thus, they require much more from Jordan than they would from other countries or at different times. Saudi-born Islamic militant Osama bin Laden is the key suspect believed to be behind the U.S. attacks. Jordan dismantled a terrorist group linked to bin Ladenís Al Qaeda (The Base) organization at the end of 1999, foiling an alleged bid by the militants to carry out attacks in the kingdom during New Yearís celebrations. Meanwhile, Jordanian citizens living in the United States have received phone threats on their lives in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on Washington and New York, according to Jordanian Ambassador Marwan Muasher. "I believe the recent developments and the campaigns conducted against Arabs and Muslims living in the U.S. are becoming very dangerous and serious," said Muasher. He reiterated that Abdullah is very concerned and will discuss this issue with President Bush in his coming visit to the United States. "King Abdullah is expected to visit the U.S. early next month for meeting President Bush, said Muasher. "But his majesty is also concerned to meet representatives of the Arab and Muslim American organizations, in which he will be sending a clear message to the U.S. public of his personal support for these groups," he added. Muasher also noted that he has conveyed the situation of the Arabs and Muslims to the U.S. administration, which has now opened a hotline to receive public complaints. Regarding the process of creating an international coalition against terrorism, he said Arab and Islamic countries demand that this coalition be direct against terrorism and not leveled against Arabs and Muslims. Muasher also pointed out that "all Arab and Muslim embassies in the United States are working hand in hand to confront this aggressive and discriminating campaign." But after the attacks on the United States, can Arab countries take measures to secure their countries from any possible threat? "Each country in this region has its priorities," said one senior Jordanian official at the foreign ministry who asked not to be named. "Some might consider terrorism as the main threat, but this, of course, differs from country to another. As for us here in Jordan, all measures have been taken, but still we donít consider terrorism as the number-one threat." The official did not expect any major changes to occur in the kingdomís security plans after the attacks on the United States. "Such step needs both proper political and financial planning," he added. The official pointed out that the United States would remain as the main source for most of Jordanís military needs. Jordan needs "to enhance our defense capabilities in order to face any possible threat in the future," said retired Maj. Gen. Mohammad Shiyyab, director of the department for security studies in Jordan, a semi-governmental organization, on Sept. 15. "As a moderate and small state surrounded by four big states, with more resources, Jordan has good records in combating terrorism," said Shiyyab. "Jordan has been working with other countries and is recognized in sighting and countering all forms of extremism and terrorism." An Arab military analyst based in Egypt said, "Some Arab regimes are very close and most of them depend on the U.S. defense and military capabilities to protect their thrones or authorities. No doubt the attacks and mainly the one on the Pentagon was a big shock for us all, and it affected the picture of the Americans being known as the ëmasters of securityí," said the military analyst who asked not to be named. He pointed out that "the Middle East countries will join the whole world in finding new ways and means for protecting their countries from any possible threat, first through getting the latest technology for enhancing their monitoring systems in general and mainly on the borders, airports, flights and the embassies. All these areas will need soon new monitoring and protection systems." Caroline Faraj is a political journalist writing from Amman, Jordan.