***If the Muslim countries of the world have to emerge as a powerful bloc of independent and dignified nations they must increase among themselves mutual trust and confidence. They must strive for closer cooperation in various fields such as economic, social, political and technological. There should be no more Shia-Sunni conflict, no semetic-nonsemetic issues.***

THE Muslims in general and the Arab Muslims in particular have been placed in a peculiar position after the 9/11 incident. Due to inept handling of such a sensitive issue Bush Administration has failed to contain "international terrorism." It wrongly calculated that killing or capturing of Osama bin Laden or his group (Al Qaeda) will destroy or retard international terrorism. In its zeal to destroy Laden supporters it destroyed the weak and emaciated Afghanistan. Its puppet Afghan Government has neither the ability nor the will to control the Taliban activities or to undertake any proper programme for reconstruction or rehabilitation. On the other hand the Taliban supporters are gaining ground. With Laden believably alive the Al Qaeda group is operating successfully from inside Pakistan. It is extremely doubtful that even NATO's involvement will make much of a difference. The relentless bombing by the alliance forces destroyed houses, shops or business establishments or crippled large number of Afghans but it could not destroy the will of the Afghans to face foreign invaders.

The open support of Bush administration to the Jews against the Arabs has already made the Arabs

anti-American. The total failure of the Americans to handle the post-war situation in Iraq has made even the elements friendly to them (Shia and Kurds) anti-American. At present all Iraqis want that American soldiers must leave Iraq as quickly as possible. Though they do not desire return of Saddam they want to set up a government by themselves which will respect their culture and tradition. Certainly the Iraqis in general do not have any attraction for the western culture though the majority may have interest in attaining democratic order.

Slowly and gradually it has become abundantly clear to the Arabs in general that Americans are basically interested in two things -- control of oil in the Middle East and safeguard of Israeli interest. Thus it may no longer be possible for USA to divide the Arabs. Though late the Muslims of the world are gradually realising that strengthening of the Muslim world can only be done through the united effort of the Muslim community (Arabs and non-Arab) as a whole. It is time that they stop fighting among themselves. They should also start thinking that followers of other religions have equal rights to preach or practice their religions also deserve respect from them Muslims. The leaders in OIC should make solemn effort to find some ways to live in peace with the Jews.

Of course Jewish reciprocation is equally important here.

Some of the recent events after the Iraq invasion cast doubt about the real intention of USA Is Bush administration really serious about implementation of the Middle East peace plan? It is abundantly clear that no effective peace negotiation can be held without Yasser Arafat, the most popular leader of the Palestinians. To exclude Arafat Israelis even hinted at killing him. However, Israel and USA have failed to obtain UN resolution for ousting Arafat from Palestine. It would be interesting to see as to how any negotiation between Israel and Palestine can be effective if not endorsed by Arafat and rejected by majority of Palestinians.

President Bush is losing his popularity in US. More and more ordinary US citizens have started believing that US invasion of Iraq was not based on solid facts because president Bush has neither been able to prove that Saddam acquired weapons of mass destruction (WMD) nor his suspicion about Saddam-Al-Qaeda connection. British intelligence report about purchase of uranium by Iraq from Nigeria appeared to be fictitious.

In fact President Bush is desperate to get some sort of support from the countries opposed to his unethical and unlawful invasion of Iraq. Due to strong stand taken by France particularly his attempt fails. Even Tony Blair's vigorous persuasion of France and Germany proves abortive. No major power is interested in placing its forces under US supervision. They are determined to accept leadership of UN only.

It appears that the Muslim countries, particularly some Arab states, may face worse days in future. Under the influence of US Indian government is coming closer to Israel. This means that we may see Indian cooperation in so-called antiterrorism drive and Israel's active support to India. In the name of "terrorism", such a situation emboldens Israel to attack Syria and even Iran.

Despite pressure from some major powers for quick withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and transfer of sovereign power to the Iraqis US is adamant to stay in Iraq at least up to December 2004. On the other hand instead of trying to restore law and order in Iraq Bush administration is threatening with destruction of Iran's programme for nuclear energy development. If Israel is under the impression that with moral and material support from the USA she may hit Iran it would be a great blunder. This will not only anger the Muslims throughout the world, the Shia population of Iraq will be much more hostile toward Israel. The dream of the Israeli traders to start lucrative business with Iraq will be destroyed for ever. This will also seriously disturb Pakistan because of Iran's proximity to Pakistan, a country almost friendly to USA.

Israel has limited capacity to expand its aggressive design because of lack its manpower. Indiscriminate killing of Hamas as retaliatory measure will seriously damage her peace effort, if she is at all interested in it. It should not be difficult for Israel to understand that only political discussion with soft and friendly approach can bring peace in the region. The Palestinians must have a separate and independent state. It may be relevant to point out in this regard that Russia is trying to become the biggest supplier of oil to USA. Because of unstable situation in the Middle East Bush Administration is also seriously considering reduction ofits dependence on Middle East oil supply. This may lessen their attention on Israel's security.

There is some thinking among the Islamic states about forming an independent Islamic bloc capable of facing challenge from anti-Islamic blocs through rapid development of technology, because it may not be possible for the Islamic states to depend heavily on the Western technology as there has been some appreciable change in western attitude after 9/11. However, some of the major Western powers are not as suspicious and hostile as USA toward Islamic states. They have not accepted the US definition of "international terrorism." They have still some respect for the role of UN.

Bush administration is gradually toughening up the regulations for entry of Muslims into USA. This will result in closer relation of Arab states with some more friendly western states and loosening up of US control on Middle East oil. Wanton Iraq invasion, unethical support to Israel and trifling with UN resolutions by the US have already put the world in a chaotic situation. Delay in handing over power to the Iraqis and withdrawal of occupation forces from Iraq will aggravate the situation further. The world is eagerly waiting for prevailing of good sense over Bush administration. Though USA is now the only superpower in the world she has not been empowered to trifle with the United Nation.

To-day no nation is self sufficient. All are more or less interdependent. If the Muslim countries of the world have to emerge as a powerful bloc of independent and dignified nations they must increase among themselves mutual trust and confidence. They must strive for closer cooperation in

various fields such as economic, social, political and technological. There should be no more Shia-Sunni conflict, no semetic-nonsemetic issues. However they must be careful about irrational fundamentalism. They must also try to gain confidence and trust of the Jews. After all what real benefit can be obtained by terrorist groups like al-Qaeda? Sporadic destructive activities mainly bring suffering for the Muslims. On the other hand, the Jews must realise that their continuous repressive measures against the Palestinian rebels will not help them ultimately to establish peace in the Middle East. Only good relationship with the Arabs can ensure their peaceful existence.

At this critical juncture it appears that only option left open for the Muslims is to bring solidarity among themselves. This is, however, not a simple task. The fundamentalists must be kept under control. The Muslims must be guided more by reason and less by elemental passion. In achieving such an objective there is good reasons to believe that only the moderate democratic Islamic states should be allowed to take the lead. Leadership from such states may bring peace and equilibrium in the world.

ABMS Zahur is a former Joint Secretary.