UAE PRESS EDITORIALS

Two major UAE English dailies today commented on the worsening security situation in in the world, particularly in the Middle East, as a result of the wrong calculations and foreign policy of the US administration.Commenting editorially in its issue of today under the title "Sure, it's much worse!", the Dubai-based "Khaleej Times" said: "IF THE gains from the West's so-called war against terrorism were put on one side and losses on another, the result would carry little surprise, but the magnitude would be shocking."Wherever America has led its 'coalition of the willing' on its apparent extremism-taming, democracy-spreading mission, the result has been complete breakdown of the governing structure, quickly mutating itself into near-total anarchy. And if things in Afghanistan and Iraq were not already bad enough, the question as to what prompted the Bush administration to give the green light to the Somalia leg of the terror-war continues to defy logic in the light of clearly foreseeable ground developments. "The Ethiopian intervention has triggered what is already being described as the worst fighting Mogadishu has seen in 16 years. And their few-months' presence has already raised concerns of systematic genocide. How this advances democratic norms in long-suffering Africa remains a mystery."In hindsight, a pattern appears on all three mishandled fronts, betraying absolutely no credible planning beyond securing the respective capitals.And as inexcusable as that ought to be, employment of the same failed model on Somalia to oust the Union of Islamic Courts despite its closeness to Afghanistan fails to impress anyone. "Also, considering the occupiers' complete inability to maintain law and order and prevent factional infighting, their tough-talk has lost much of its market value. But, far more seriously, in direct proportion to America's increasing international opposition is the very real loss of life which, after botched invasions and lengthy insurgencies, now owes in large part to the superpower's unwillingness to accept defeat. It is this chilling realisation, that the Bush regime's insistence on more force to save face, even leading to more killings and murders involving innocent civilians, that makes the terror-war impossible to sustain. It was owing to such fears that we expressed grave concern when Ethiopian forces removed the Islamists from Mogadishu. "Whether the West would have learnt a lesson remains doubtful. But it's important for their actions to speak louder than words, especially at this critical time. Already the length and breadth of the Middle East is weary with the straining spill-over of Iraq. For the West to prolong the uncertainty misses the point, especially since they've made things only worse." Also commenting on the issue under the title "A catastrophe of US making", the "Gulf News" of Dubai said: "The carnage in Baghdad continues. At least 170 were killed on Wednesday and no one expects the bloodletting to end any time soon. Life is intolerable and millions of Iraqis are leaving, which is creating huge problems for neighbouring countries. The Iraqi refugee crisis is, according to the United Nations, the biggest human displacement in the Middle East in recent history."Around two million Iraqis have left their country since the US-led war on Saddam Hussain four years ago and a further 1.9 million 'internal refugees' are scattered throughout the country. Most have fled to Jordan, Syria and Iran. "Washington has said it would allow 7,000 Iraqis into the US this year, compared with 202 in 2006. This is pitifully small, especially considering that the actions of the US are directly to blame for the catastrophe."Iraq's closest neighbours have neither the funds nor infrastructure to cope with the influx and this in turn will lead to more tensions within their societies. A huge strain is being placed on health and education facilities in the host nations. "On top of this, the refugees have little money to start their lives anew.It is incredible to realise that more than $415 billion has been spent by the US on its Iraqi operations and yet so little money has been spent on its consequences. "The Gulf states are getting involved to try to alleviate the suffering but this is a problem that only comprehensive international action can tackle. Money is important but it is secondary to a political solution in Iraq itself. "Until that day, the refugees will continue to seek sanctuary elsewhere.It is a crisis upon a crisis. It lacks credibility to say that money is not available to ease suffering, when so much was given and is being given to create it." Source