‘Unite to fend off foes’

‘Gulf must tackle expansionist policies’

“WE offer our condolences to the families of the victims of the recent terrorist attack in the south-west of Iran,” columnist Khaled Ahmad Al-Tarrah wrote for AlQabas daily.

“However, in these tragic circumstances, it is necessary to deal with the incident carefully before accusations are leveled, both from Iran’s supporters and opponents at home and abroad.

“In this context we say the immediate Iranian escalation will only lead to more complex and tense relations between Iran and the Gulf states in particular.

“This military development comes in tandem with the flames of sectarian discord, which is becoming increasingly volatile in the region, such as the bloody situation that is afflicting the neighboring Iraq, especially the South of the country to such an extent we venture to say Iraq represented by all its sects and categories into a direct and indirect market for sometimes promoting military products and sometimes into a media, political and others which is rife with notorious sectarian winds.

“However, the accusations are leveled at Iran as an exporting source for what is currently taking place in Iraq and what occurs in Bahrain, Yemen, Lebanon and Syria.

“Given the above, we suggest the sectarian trumpets address a direct threat, particularly against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must be halted. In this context, we cite what unfortunately was said recently by the assistant secretary-general of the Iranian Al-Nujaba’a (Excellent) Movement for Religious and Convergence Affairs, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Nasseri.

“He was quoted as saying, ‘Our victory will not end in Iraq or Syria rather we shall go ahead to their homeland in Najd and Al-Hejaz (The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). This is in addition to other statements which are attributed to him and do not bode well in general.

“This is how the sectarian scene of sectarianism fueled and is echoed by some of the Iranian politicians through the media. A press statement issued by the advisor to the leader of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary leader, Major-General Yahya Raheem Safavi, also referred to what he called the ‘sacred defense’ during the Iran-Iraq war, which claimed the lives of thousands of civilian and military personnel from both sides (Iraq and Iran) where Safawi described the war as a war ‘for defending Jerusalem’.

“This happened, although we presume that the outcomes of this war and its lessons along with the riots that occurred inside and outside Iraq should have constituted a strong motive to spur Tehran to boost its relations with its neighbors in the Gulf region and the Middle East.

“There is no doubt that the recent riots in Basra is an inevitable result of sectarian fire and spread of hostile policy – as reported by various media – in Arab and Iranian cities as well, such as Khuzestan, Khorramshahr and Abadan, as a result of political and economic turmoil that resulted from foreign interventions and the domination by some foreign parties through their supporters and some brokers in the region who are planning to push this part of the world into the sectarian hell, while both the Iranian and the Iraqi peoples pay the price.

“However, as it is known for everybody and all the diplomatic channels with Iran have exhausted efforts to stabilize the Arab region and extinguishing the hotbeds of tension that are being ignited by some of the parties attributed to Iran. This fact cannot be denied by Tehran.

“Rather it is Tehran which justifies the relevant practices through a manner that is mostly rife with evasion, while sometimes it justifies these practices by alleging these are aimed at defending those who oppressed.

“But if Iran cooperates with the state in the Gulf regions, which we wish, then this part of the world and the entire world in general and Iran in particular will bask in stability especially since we known Iran is currently overshadowed by economic sanctions, and the price may be very expensive if it in case continues with its current obstinacy and the non-compliance to the solutions.

“Meanwhile, we say that the drought and scarcity of water which currently faces Iran looks not simply because this was something expected as the Iranian Minister of Energy had once officially confessed and this entails that Iran should hasten to review its policies in dealing with its Gulf neighbors for the sake of Iran itself as a state and people, because it will pave the way for handling and solving a lot of complicated issues.

“On the other hand, we say condemning those who may be supporting the Shiite militias and groups, doesn’t certainly mean closing an eye to the existence of identical Sunni groups, because extremism and hard line is not confined to a specific sect.

“However, in light of the complicated developments, we hope the unity among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states will resume for the good of the regional security, particularly since we know that division and the state of enmity shall open a window to penetrate the stability of the Gulf States.”

Also:

Al-Tarrah

“The recent attack on the military parade of the Iranian army in Ahwaz orchestrated by the Ahwazi Resistance Movement actually placed the Ahwazi issue on the forefront of the political events currently taking place in the region with their historical and political dimensions,” columnist Dr Nasser Khamees Al-Mutairi wrote for Annahar daily.

“Since the victory of the Muslims on the Persians in Qadsiya battle and the province of Ahwaz under the rule of the Islamic Caliphate an affiliate to Basra, State of Iraq, it persisted to the days of the Mongol invasion of the region.

“However, in the wake of this invasion, the Arab Al-Mushashiayah state, was established and was recognized by both the Safawi State in Iran and the Ottoman Caliphate as an independent state. This reality persisted until the appearance of the Arab Al-Kaabiyah State from (1724 to 1925), given the fact this state, maintained its independence until its downfall by the hand of Shah Pahlavi.

“Meanwhile, we say Britain and Iran had agreed upon in 1920 to bring down the Amir of Al-Ahwaz or what it was called during that time Arabistan Emirate, and the latter based on such an agreement was annexed to Iran. In other words, the British had granted this Emirate which is rich in oil to Iran following the arrest of its then Amir Sheikh Khazal Al-Kaabi.

“However, following this development, Al-Ahwaz Emirate, became a topic of conflict between Iraq and Iran and this remained a stigma on Arab and regional periphery which affected the latter in its capacity as part and parcel of the Arab region due to its geographical location and due to the policy that was imposed by Iran on the Al-Ahwazi Arabs.

“But it is needless to say the prospective independence of the Ahwazis or any autonomy or federal system that might be given to them, would negatively affect the Iranian state whose outcome could be destructive and as such the ruling authorities in Iran realized the danger that would most likely surface as a result of any of the peoples’ nationalist aspirations in Iran.

“Consequently, any independence that might be realized by Al-Ahwaz province away from Tehran, shall definitely constitute an exorbitant loss for the Eastern Bank of the Gulf-Iran and as such, this prospective development will transform Iran into to non-neighboring state to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and this mean Iran’s potentials, shall witness a significant setback.

“Moreover, this will negatively affect its might to threaten the Gulf states, because it will lose a significant part of its border neighboring South Iraq and eventually blockade its communication with the areas of its influence in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

“Given the above, the recent attack on the Iranian army military parade in Al-Ahwaz which was carried out by Al-Ahwazi Resistance Movement, could be deemed as an outlet for an Ahwazi political move that is likely to witness a qualitative expansion and development, particularly if such a move depend on armed protests along with the prospective demonstrations and strikes, particularly if the Al-Ahwazi cause receives foreign support and adoption in a way that shall help achieve some strategic interests aimed at weakening the internal front of Iran to achieve regional security in the Gulf region.”

“After our experience in the rise and fall of oil prices globally, we can say that oil cannot be relied upon as the only source of income. We must find strong investment alternatives to reduce dependence on oil,” columnist Abdulrahman Al-Awwad wrote for Al-Sabah daily.

“If this is the case, we must look at our economic situation and what we can do to stop relying on oil as a single source of income. We are not an agricultural country to invest in the agricultural field which will not work. We are not an industrialized country, so there is no other aspect of investment than tourism. Therefore, we must pay attention to extensive studies on tourism.

“Also, we have to think seriously about industry and production because they are the foundations of any successful economy. We must attract major factories in the field of electronics, automobiles, etc.

“Dependence on oil as the only source of income comes with great risks, especially since we have seen the fluctuation of prices globally. We have to start taking our first steps towards real development for us to keep pace with global progress and civilization. To achieve this goal, we must focus on development, education, rehabilitation and health care for individuals.”

“I have never believed in any conspiracy theory on our societies and our capabilities. I have always rejected those who justify our backwardness and our crises by saying others are conspiring against us. However, now I am absolutely certain that what is happening in our country these days – the successive crises – is an inevitable result of conspiracy,” columnist Dr Moudhi AlHamoud wrote for Al-Qabas daily.

“Nevertheless, the conspiracy this time is internal and here are the pieces of evidence: How many problems have we faced in the last three years, most notably the discovery of fraud in nationality and belongingness? The competent authorities reacted and many responsible officials in this filed were reshuffled, then the storm faded away. We have not seen any serious response to the crisis.

“Suddenly, the crisis of illegally obtained agricultural holdings emerged and the officials changed. The storm calmed down without any result and everyone kept his land – whether obtained legally or otherwise.

“In the meantime, the fake certificates crisis, like others, surfaced and it was later referred to the freezer government or the investigation committees. Yet, we have not heard of anyone being held accountable for fraud.”

— Compiled by Zaki Taleb