By Mahmoud Al Abed
English News Editor
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak does not sell the Arabs dreams of pan-Arab unity and the defeat of imperialism. But he is the de facto regional leader who defends Arab rights and views with all means available, however limited.
The man has incomparable insight into issues and events, and comes up with the most feasible and practical solutions. But he is waiting for the world, the US, the Arabs and Israel to start listening to him.
His analysis of what happened in the US - why it happened, and how to react - show what a distinguished statesman he is.
He had warned the US that, despite its might, it was an easy target for terrorism, but they didn’t listen to him.
He warned them that keeping distant from the conflict in the Middle East would damage world peace, but they insisted on taking the Israeli side against the Palestinians.
Now he is warning that the Americans’ excessive reaction to the terrorist attacks, by waging a world war against small groups of suspected terrorists and the feeble regimes harboring them, will bring about more instability, open the way for “a new generation of terrorists to emerge,” and threaten to make America vulnreable again and again.
He is warning that a US-led international coalition against terrorism would divide the world into two camps, and a new type of war would materialize.
Pragmatic and practical, Mubarak has a unique ability to keep things in balance, but he cannot work alone.
On Tuesday, he will meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah, another pragmatist. The two leaders are expected to say once and for all how the Arabs should react to these new developments, and the Arabs must listen this time.
More importantly, Washington should start listening and seize this last chance.
