Palestinian authority can't be blamed

"Regardless of the factors leading to the present Palestinian political outlook, it could be said that the differences between the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank and Hamas have become a real fact on the ground," wrote Mohammed Mahfoudh in an opinion piece for the Saudi newspaper Al Riyadh. The row over the Goldstone report has become one of the many points of discord that tear at the already "battered Palestinian unity", proving that the PA's attitudes are not at the core of the larger political crisis.

The PA's stance on the report should not be taken as an excuse for exchanging blame and perpetuating division among Palestinians. "Instead of benefiting from it as a tool to bring justice to Palestinian victims, the Goldstone report has been used and abused by various political forces ... Irrespective of the causes behind the deep-rooted differences between Palestinians, the present situation not only harms the peace process adopted by the PA, but also weakens the resistance led by Hamas in Gaza. Undoubtedly, the PA made a poor decision in postponing a discussion of the report but Hamas was irrational in its smear campaign against the PA, causing both parties to lose a golden opportunity for their reconciliation in Cairo.

"The US president Barack Obama should be disappointed when he is briefed about the latest developments in Afghanistan as 14 US soldiers and three civilians died when Taliban militants shot down a helicopter," noted the London-based newspaper, Al Quds Al Arabi.

"Mr Obama has made Afghanistan the central axis of his foreign policy ... but he is not ready to approve the proposal by his generals to increase the number of soldiers in the theatre and undertake an all-out attack on the Taliban bastion, Helmand province. This is at a time when the death toll of US troops in Afghanistan rises to nearly about 1,000. " The US president believes Afghanistan to be different from Iraq where a rise in the number of troops contributed to restoring stability and security in Baghdad and reducing militant attacks. He is also aware that Afghanistan has rough terrain. Any attempt to engage so massively there is likely to be a misadventure.

As it looks, the US is trapped in a quagmire in both Pakistan as well as Afghanistan but to exit would be almost impossible. "The only option left for Mr Obama is to admit that the war is difficult to win. Therefore, he needs to decide quickly to withdraw and spare additional losses. History lessons from the Soviet Union are a testament of how foreign powers fail when they carry on such a long war."

"Dubai was most probably one of the cities most affected by global financial crisis. But it seems to have recovered fast. In this process, we mark a success of an Arab governance development model," wrote Abdul Rahman al Rashed in an opinion piece for the London-based daily, Al Sharq Al Awsat. "Since the eruption of the crisis, Dubai has worked actively to reorganise itself and weather the bad effects of the economic meltdown. After one year anyone can see the signs of recovery there more than anywhere else. There is a new birth for the city and this is proof that Dubai has a successful model for development."

Indeed, it has overcome one of the worst economic crises that the world has undergone in the last century. Behind this success were actors who have steered the city through these hard times while protecting economic freedom and streamlining administrative procedures. A great tribute should go to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, who has calmly but rationally overseen the whole process and in a such an agitated global economic climate. "We have seen that many large- scale programmes continue without interruption. Dubai managed, for instance, to inaugurate the metro, signalling that its development process was going smoothly. Other projects, such as the tallest skyscraper, will soon follow suit."

"When the United Nations was established 64 years ago ... it was hoped that this new world forum would be a guarantor of peace and security. It was meant to put an end to the nuclear threat, achieve justice, promote co-operation and eliminate all forms of racism and discrimination. Yet its agencies have increasingly been manipulated to serve the interests of member countries who emerged victorious in the Second World War," opined the UAE newspaper, Al Kheleej.

Although the UN tries to prevent the use of force in international relations, the world has witnessed a series of wars and disputes since the UN's creation. Throughout its history, the UN has been biased in handling many issues and in stalling the implementation and passage of a number of resolutions. "The Palestinian cause has been a case in point ... a victim of the biased attitudes of a handful countries that control the decision of the UN, mainly those who hold a Veto." "Another example, and worst of all, was recognising Israel as a member of the international community. This decision marks a striking contradiction with the UN charter and its membership conditions. The establishment of Israel is illegitimate and illegal because it was done to the detriment of the rights of Palestinians."

* Digest compiled by Mostapha Elmouloudi [e-mail]