KUWAIT CITY, Feb 11: Under the patronage of HH the Amir, the First International Conference of the Council for Arab and International Relations commenced on Monday morning, in the presence of HH the Prime Minister. The first session of the conference saw the Qatari PM Sheikh Jassem bin Jabr  Al-Thani affirm the importance of reforming all aspects of Arab society, structures, relations and institutes — particularly education, the Arab League, and Arab media. He also touched on the long ongoing Palestinian struggle. The session also raised questions on the Arab World’s relations with the West. HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal and Richard Armitage discussed the Arab world’s relations with the US, noting their often deeply fraught nature, in light of the war in Iraq and the Arab-Israeli struggle.

Further, the conference saw disagreements over the resolution of the situation in Syria aired, in light of the presence of two of the main contested figures in the struggle — Russia and Iran — Iran itself being a sensitive topic during the conference. The conference commenced on Monday morning with a speech by the President of the Council, Mohammed Jassim Al-Saqr, who declared that: “Despite the spiritual, intellectual and civilizational brilliance of the Arab and Islamic civilization, its political involvement has nonetheless been limited to issues of leadership and succession. As such, it is not surprising that Arab civil society lacks institutions that address foreign relations.

“In light of this lack, a group of individuals interested in the Arab concern decided to form the Council of Arab and International Relations (CAAIR) as an independent body, stemming from Arab civil society,”Al-Saqr added, also affirming his thanks to HH the Amir, and his progressive role in the formation of the council, noting that were it not for Kuwait’s role and hospitality there would not be a council. He noted that the council’s inception came with the first sparks of the Arab Spring, and despite the future of Arab relations that is fraught with uncertainties, certain issues and factors can still be raised due to their certain role in affecting both the internal and international Arab relations.

“There is no doubt that we are today an oppressed [Arab] nation; this is a truth we must admit, and that we must refuse, in order to free ourselves of it. We are a nation oppressed by the West, when it succeeded in dividing it in an unprecedented way. We are a nation let down by intolerance, failing to catch up with the course of modernity. We are a nation that wronged itself when it insisted on heading to the future through a decline to the past,” added Al-Saqr. Qatari Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Al-Thani affirmed that the conference would provide more opportunity for international involvement, nothing that “Despite what is taking place in the Arab world in terms of revolutions and uprisings, the Arab world still holds the potential to be an active player on the global scale, in light of its position, resources, history and civilizational contributions.

He further noted the importance of defining precisely what the Arab world is; whether a group of countries divided by borders and internal strife and conflict, or a geographical entity in the center of the world that is capable of self-sufficiency and unity. Further, Al-Thani noted that revolution is not a prerequisite for reform, noting that countries are capable of reforming without struggle. He added that reform is not simply political, but should also take place on all economic and social fronts. In particular he emphasized the importance of revolutionizing an educational system that is fast becoming timeworn.
 

Further adding that the League of Arab Nations required reform to find means to seek Arab interests, stressing the importance of cooperating with international unions and continental associations, and further suggesting the formation of apparatus to join it with the EU and African Union, amongst others.
He further noted the importance of cultural exchange internationally, and stressed that Arab media must evolve greatly to bring coverage of Arab events to the world from an Arab perspective.
 He stated that the freer Arab media is, the more respect and consideration it receives in bringing Arab causes to international attention. He further suggested the formation of a joint independent Arab News Agency, affiliated with the Arab League.
 

Al-Thani affirmed the importance of resolving the Palestinian crisis, condemning Israel’s illegal settlements and attacks. He also noted that Africa could as a great investment opportunity for the Arab world. On Iranian-Arab tension, he stated this must be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation, and commended relations with Turkey.
He also called for major reforms in the UN, and in particular the security council.
On Arab relations with the US, Prince Turki Al-Faisal recalled President Obama’s first inauguration speech, and his following Cairo speech, noting that it was a source of hope for the changing relations with the Arab world.
 

Prince stressed importance of the United States adopting a comprehensive policy to deal with all hot issues in the region and work for a peaceful Middle East that is free of weapons of mass destruction.
He stated that as there was no excuse for the attacks in 9/11, there was similarly no excuse for the deeply condemnatory reaction that came out of it. He noted that this led to tragedy in Afghanistan, and has left Iraq devastated and incapable of building a unified state.
Al-Faisal declared that this case showed the flaws in the idea of a forcing democracy, insisting that countries must be self-determining. He also stated that withdrawal from Afghanistan should not be an abandonment, but that a clear plan should be in place.
He further stated that a major obstacle in Arab-American relations remains to be the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, noting that there have been many efforts to resolve it, but that these have failed due to Israel’s stubbornness and arrogance. He added that this remains a large cause for Arabs’ animosity towards the USA.
 

As such, he requested that the US support the Arab Peace Initiative. This includes obliging Israel’s cease of attacks on Palestine and Lebanon, as well as decisive action to end the Syrian crisis (military aid). In addition, it includes serious work towards a Middle East free of WMDs, also calling for negotiations with Iran not to occur without the presence of GCC states.
For his part, Former US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, during his input, said that President Barack Obama will visit the Middle East next month, preceded by a visit by the new Secretary of State John Kerry, pointing to the importance attached by the US administration to the Middle East.
On recent statements by Hilary Clinton regarding relations with Arab states, Armitage claimed the term “pivoting” relations is incorrect phrasing. He stated that the US is rather rebalancing relations after coming out of two unpopular wars.
He added that they are not turning their backs on traditional friends, as even a purely cold calculation of interests would not allow it.
 

Further, he affirmed commitment to the Middle East peace process, and to the Palestinian plight, noting that in order to resolve the conflict President Obama must maintain closer relations with the Israeli Prime Minister.
Moreover, in terms of US observations, he stated that two things have become clear in the region. The first is the re-ignition of Sunni-Shiite strife. The second was the changing understanding of the Arab uprisings. And in light of the apparent loss of favor of the Islamists, he noted that there is a middle path, pointing to the Turkish model.
On Iran, Armitage stated that if the US is to be fully involved, they must ensure that Iran does not have nuclear weapons, adding that a military solution is not off the table to ensure this.
Regarding Syria, he stated that there is a difference of opinion between US and other present states, further adding that it is not a lack of weapons that has hindered the opposition, but rather a lack of coherence.
 

Further, he stated that the US is committed to involvement in resolving the Palestine/Israel conflict. He noted that non-involvement could galvanize radicalization against the UD, and affirmed the US’s commitment to Israel living with secure borders. On Arab-European relations, Dr Kristian Coates-Ulrichsen, Co-Director of the Kuwait Program at LSE drew parallels between the uprisings in the Arab world and the situation in some of the EU countries (particularly South European countries). In particular, he discussed the differing effects and causes of both crises, highlighting the differences as well as overlaps. In addition, he spoke of the effects of migration out of North Africa and into Europe, noting that current events have increased the desirability of the former whilst decreasing the desirability of the latter.
 

He also noted that the crisis in South European states had created an investment opportunity for the Gulf states, which have less social/political baggae. He concluded that Gulf and European interests converge in their desire for stability, but that difficulties obstruct the furtherance of relations. On the same topic, Former Morrocan Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Benissa stated the Arab uprisings have continue, making more claims than victories. He added that the Arab Spring, rather than being a strengthening force, left its countries weakened.
 

In the case of the EU, uprisings have led to the rise of a fundamentalist right-wing, adding that Arabs and Europeans are living a huge leap that has resulted from globalization. Further, he condemned the US/Western imposition of a certain type of democracy on countries, stating that they must recognize the self-determinacy of Arab countries. On Arab-Russian relations, Former Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov spoke, stating that Russia has a long history of supporting Arab states’ search for liberty. He noted that for Russia, the Arab awakening presents both the fear of instability and hope for democratization. He added that Russia is committed to peace for Palestine/Israel, and to the stopping of Syrian violence.
 

Former Prime Minister of Iraq Dr Ayad Allawi added that Russian and Arab oils production will lead to tightening relations between them, commending Russia on its consistent support of the Arab nations, despite its own struggle on the political scene. He added that the Arab uprisings had given way to fundamentalist forced, unfortunately. He also noted and that US intervention had tried to force democracy in a situation that was not ready, and should have allowed it to flourish naturally when it was ready, in Iraq. Subsequently, the floor was opened to discussions, questions and interjections. Answering questions raised by former Lebanese PM Fouad Siniora and others, regarding Russian support of Syria, Ivanov stated that he questioned why Russia was being asked to get involved in Syrian affairs when Syria’s own fellow Arab states were incapable of involving themselves to place any pressure on Assad or hold negotiations.

He added that Russia is in no special position to pressure Assad, adding that Russia sold weapons on the basis of protection from Israel, and affirming that a resolution must be political, and conducted through negotiations. He added that Russia has no interests in keeping Assad in power, and must be presented with concrete terms and solutions. On the same topic, Allawi stated that Russia is a point of contest, but this does not mean that Russian relations are not useful in terms of pushing for them to pressure the Syrian regime.  Further, Dr Mohammed Al-Hussaini, Secretary General of the Arab-Iranian Dialogue forum interjected, stating to Al-Faisal that it is US and Israeli presence that has caused the oppression of Arabs.

Further, he requested a single piece of evidence that Iran’s nuclear program was heading towards militarization, commending Russia and China’s position on this. He also added that the cause of violence in Syria is the oppositional forces. Turki Al-Faisal responded, stating that no-one stated that Iran wanted to militarize, but that Iran was always on the radar, and always placing itself under suspicion, adding that the PM’s recent statement suggested that this is their intention. He stated that the past and geography can’t be changed, welcoming full relations with Iran, whilst calling on it to remove the specters of doubt from around it.

Further, regarding the Arab spring, Armitage stated that he was unsure of whether or not it would succeed, but that the states were evolving, and for the first time raising issues of individual rights.
Further, regarding US involvement, he stated that the US has made many mistakes, but in the case of Iraq, the Kuwaiti people at least are grateful that it is no longer a threat. Further, he stated that no-one bears ill-will towards Iran, but that they call on Iran to work in the open.

Benissa also raised concerns over the potential dissolution of the EU, stating that countries are now acting independently, and pointing to David Cameron’s talks in Davos, Switzerland. The second part of the conference raised the topic of Arab-Asian relations, with talks from Dr Mohammed Saleem, Professor of Asian Studies, Dr Najma Heptulla, former Indian PM speaking on Inida, Dr Samir Nouh, Director of CISMOR on Japan and Dr Jaafar Karar, an expert on Arab-Chinese relations, before concluding. The second day of the conference will raise relations with Turkey, Iran, Israel and Africa, before concluding.