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How to Face Western Politico-economic Challenges

by A M M Shahabuddin
***OIC will have to shake off its old tradition of being bogged down in political quagmire and get ready to boldly face the political and the economic questions in the new millennium. Better be envied than pitied so goes the wise man 's advice. Let OIC prove that they are not just empty sacks' and they can stand upright'.***
66 A Chain Is no stronger than Its weakest link.
JL Aso goes the popular saying. The realisation of this hard truth by the world Muslim leaders, as ventilated at the Just-concluded four day (27-30 June) Conference of the Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC). alter long thirty years since its inception, is epoch-making in all respects, in showing a new direction to the Muslim world. The loud and healthy message, which has emerged from the conference In Kuala Lumpur, gives new Impetus to the organisation to be well-equipped to face the challenges of the new millennium, and thus to ensure that tiie links' In the chain' are equally strong.
It may be recalled here that the OIC was founded In 1969 with the lofty idea of uniting all the Muslim countries of the world on one platform in response to the most despicable arson attack on Al-Asqua mosque in Jerusalem by the Israeli zealots. Since then it has been focusing attention mainly on political issues affecting the Muslim world, ignoring totally the growing economic factors that hinder Its forward march.
An Asian diplomat attending the KL Conference said that OIC "pays too much attention to politics", adding. It continues "to harp on old resolutions over and over again." Citing an example. the diplomat pointed out that the Iraq-Kuwait war is over more than a decade ago. but the resolutions are still on its agenda. And there lies the tragedy with the organisation.
Iraq and OIC: An Explanation Overdue
If the organisation is so seri-
ous as to carry the Iraq-Kuwait resolutions on its agenda for the last more than a decade, then it should have the guts to turn its attention to what Is now happening there under the Initiative of America and United Nations. Instead of hiding Its face or sitting on the fence, OIC should have come out with strong resolutions condemning the 'unholy' alliance between USA and UN, to continue the most atrocious decade-long economic sanctions against Iraq leading to the premature deaths of thousands of ailing children for want of essential medicines and deaths of thousands of men. women and children of virtual starving. That they have failed to do for reasons best known to the organisation. At least, they should have condemned the merciless bombings by the Anglo-American forces, killing Innocent people, in the name of protecting the 'sanctity' of the so-called 'no-fly zones' created by America (not by UN resolution) in the northern and southern Iraq. When this pernicious nightmare' of the Iraqis will be over? OIC owes an explanation, of course.
At the KL Conference, Iraq was reported to have tried to push its fellow member states to support its call for lifting the so-called 'UN sanctions', but perhaps got little backing. Iraq has claimed over and again that it had complied 'fully' with all UN
resolutions and had 'destroyed' its weapons. But the weapon inspectors, sent by UN. (who are alleged by Iraq to be mostly there for spying) are still searching for the proverbial 'black cat' in darkness. But then the 'search' by the weapon inspectors will go on ad infinitum. It Is indeed a pity, if, while for adopting even a 'watered down' or toothless’ resolution, the organisation Is to wait for the distant 'red' or green' signal.
Islamic Common
Market
However, the statement made by the present OIC Secretary-General Azeddlnc Laraki, in a press Interview in the sidelines of the conference. Is worth mentioning. Mr Laraki had advised the Muslim states to give up their 30-ycar old habit of eating about the bush and make all-out efforts to establish closer trade relations among the OIC member states, by establishing an Islamic Common Market (1CM). Earlier. Laraki had urged the delegates at the Inaugural session of the conference, In his 'Political Report', that global trade liberalisation "constitutes an environment which Is fraught with dangers." adding, that OIC "is regrettably on the weak side". And to face it, Laraki said, the Islamic states will have "to cooperate and show solidarity" among themselves. by creating the 1CM. It Is Indeed a good sign that the OIC has adopted a resolution stressing the "urgent need" for steps
towards "economic integration" of the 56 member states.
It may be mentioned here, that according to one estimate, trade among 56 member countries of OIC currently accounted for less than 10 per cent of the total world trade, although they constitute little over 25 per cent of the total UN membership. Hence, there is an urgent need to bring about some basic 'reforms' in the organisation to put it on strong feet economically as well as politically. "Whether we like it or not, we will have to be committed to the Idea of Muslim bloc," Laraki said.
Malaysia's Example : Road to Success
Meanwhile, Malaysia, whose Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad Is considered as the most outspoken personality in South East Asia, has given a new lesson not only for the region but also for the Muslim world to follow if they want to save themselves from the 'onslaught' of western financial machinations. Malaysian delegate at the conference had accused currency speculators (as did Mahathir much earlier from different Aslan economic platforms) of "triggering the Asian financial crisis" and reiterated that Malaysia will not abandon its "selective capital controls until there arc international regulations to rein them in.” Thus Malaysia could successfully save Itself from the last Aslan financial crisis "triggered" by financial speculators, like
George Ross of America who siphoned off millions of dollars out of the troubled Aslan financial waters, because Malaysia stuck to its gun and totally ignored IMF's "prescriptions" which were swallowed by many Aslan "victims" only to become more depressed. Therefore. Malaysia's recommendation, later taken by the conference as a resolution, for adoption of a multilateral trading system' may go a long way to boost expansion of Muslim world economy. Another Malaysian proposal, adopted as a conference resolution, aims at bringing about 'reforms' to the international financial Infrastructure". Bahrain's proposal "to enforce economic ties' among the OIC members, adopted as its resolution, will help give the ultimate shape to the creation of the Islamic Common Market.
Larakl's successor, Abdelouhed Belkzlz, a fellow Moroccan, elected unanimously by the conference, who assumes his assignment on January 1 next year, will have a tough Job to carry the proposed new reforms to put the OIC on a new pedestal to face the new economic trends, including globalisation of trade. Whatever might be the earlier controversy about the selection of the new Secretary-General, that he has been selected unanimously puts the record straight. It Is true that this time It was Asia's turn but as there are precedents of a second-term it has now gone to Morocco to run the second term (2001-2004). And
the conference has decided that the next term (2004-2008) would be for Asia. So there should be a full stop' to all bickerings alleging that Arab world and Africa were "clearly trying to elbow them (Asia) out . Let the new Secretary-General carry his mission to success in taking the 31 -year old organisation to its new glory, with full support of the member countries.
Time has come for the OIC member states to take a bold step to expand its horizon of outlook to bring it at par with other international organisations. A united solid platform of 56 Muslim states undoubtedly can serve as a tremendous force both In political and economic fields, making its strong presence felt both within and without the United Nations. It can serve as a powerful bloc in other bigger international organisations. like the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Group of 75'. which has now more than one hundred members, to take a united stand against any unfavourable stance by powerful developed western countries. For this OIC will have to shake off Its old tradition of being bogged down In political quagmire and get ready to boldly face the political and the economic questions In the new millennium. Better be envied than pitied so goes the wise man's advice. Let OIC prove that they arc not Just empty sacks' and they can stand upright". Let the OIC Summitbe held in Qatar in November next show the day.
The writer Is a retired UN official.