(with photos)
CAIRO, Dec 27 (KUNA) -- Upcoming Arab economic summit due to convene in Kuwait in January is an event that genuinely depicts keenness of the senior Arab leaders on promoting social development in their countries, the Arab League chief affirms.
Secretary General Amr Moussa, in an interview with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) and Kuwait Television, affirmed that speedy response of the Arab states to the Kuwaiti-Egyptian call to hold the summit reflected eagerness of the Arab governments, grass-root associations and private authorities as well as the ordinary citizens "to face a crisis sensed by every-one in the Arab world." The Arab nation has been suffering from some serious problems, related to development, standards of living, interests of the masses, Moussa said in the exclusive interview with the leading Kuwaiti media. As to the timing, it is rather well calcultated, he said, alluding to the current international financial crisis and its impact on the Arab peoples and forecast effects on the Arab economic and development policies.
On preparations, Moussa said the league has been involved in making arrangements for the top-level conference since a year ago, seeking participation of not only governments and state authorities, but also the private sector, civic associations, experts and researchers.
The league's flurry of consultations with the various bodies and authorities dealt with the necessity of ensuring that results of the forecast summit should be tangible, Moussa said, affirming that some of the basic issues to be addressed by the conferees would be prospected moves from the phase of the great trade zone to the custom union and then to the joint Arab market. "It's high time to place the joint Arab market into implementation according to a clear scheme."
Moussa called on the Arab states to try to be active and face consequences of the global financial crisis, likening these countries under the current circumstances to "passengers boarding a train driven by the others, " noting that the Arabs should be riding their own train "and seek to work out their own economic perspectives and strategies." Asked whether he believes that the Arabs will be able to close ranks and stand as a single bloc vis-a-vis the ripple effects of the external financial meltdown, Moussa said this particular question had been discussed within the framework of the Arab League-affiliated Economic and Social Council.
A significant paper has been delivered by the Arab Monetary Fund, upon which the debates were based, the league chief said, indicating as well to several other draft notitions and proposals on how to cope with the impact of the international crisis.
On possible measures to facilitate movement of the businessmen across borders of the Arab states, Moussa confirmed that a proposal had been made to grant the entrepreneurs a special card to enable them enter and leave any Arab country easily and without time-consuming paper procedures.
Producers, consumers and investors should also enjoy identical facilities, Moussa said urging the Arab states to consider to lift restrictions on these segments of the Arab societies at land, air and sea ports.
The Arab market should be open for the Arab citizens for education, inter-trade and tourism, he added.
Moussa, in the interview with the top Kuwaiti media organizations, KUNA and the TV, called for enhancing Arab development schemes, noting, "It is rather about time that we merge economies with politics." Regarding accusations against the Arabs as to linkage to terrorism, the chief said such charges "have been unjust, though the Arabs have been complacent" vis-a-vis the necessity of shedding light on the facts in this respect.
Basic issues such as the dialogue among civilizations and the relationship between the West and Islam warrants continuous and relentless action, Moussa said, adding that the Arab states could address the other nations with "the contemporary language." The league chief expressed hope that the summit would end up with practical solutions to some serious problems suffered by the Arab peoples, namely education, development, reforms and mutual understanding with other nations of different civilizations.
As to Israel's stance toward the peace efforts, Moussa urged the Israelis to review their intransigent policies "if they wish to ensure sustainable presence in the region." He also called on Tel aviv to re-examine its stand toward the Arab peace initiative.
Regarding prospects of seeing US settlements to the regional crises, Moussa opined that he could confirm that Washington would be able to settle these serious problems in the region.
Elaborating further, the league secretary general affirmed the need for a "objective middle" power to help in jump-starting the long-time stalled peace process. A just and comprehensive peace in the region can be reached provided that "we act in a practical and objective manner, and on condition that the Israeli-Syrian negotiations end up with positive outcomes, in light of the Arab initiative and the Security Council resolutions and the theme of land for peace."
Moussa questioned the notion that the Israelis opted to activate the negotiating track with the Syrians at the expense of the settlement process with the Palestinians.
On terrorism, he said the global war on terrorism "was led on erroneuous basis," noting that such a war should not warrant random killing of people or occupation of other nations' territories.
Moussa affirmed that the allied forces would ultimately withdraw from Iraq but voiced concern that the country might plunge into serious partitions.
He expressed satisfaction at the general conditions in Lebanon, and called for Arab-Iranian dialogue regarding regional issues. (end)
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