The Gulf Crisis and New World Order — Page 146
Eighth Friday Sennon Jan l l, 1991 held by world-renowned military experts. They are stunned at what is happening : What does President Saddam Hussein has that is allowing him to nullify every attempt at bringing about a truce. So, as a matter of fact, it is only the Western powers who are p oised in this region to undertake any effective military operation, for they alone have the capability. The participation of Muslim countries has been procured for another reason that has nothing to do with the holy places altogether. Muslim countries are not alone in this token participation; certain European countries have similarly been included as mere tokens. Japan's participation has been secured under duress, and many other nations from both East and West have been sought out to participate in this effort. This was not because they were needed, rather what was needed was to present this issue as the entire world opinion squaring off against one tyrant. So that whatever drastic measures the Super Powers may take, to honour the world opinion so mustered, may be considered irreproachable. If Iraq is subjected to extreme degree of cruelty, and Pakistan has already become a willing partner in this, now when Egypt, Turkey and other Muslim countries have also become participants, then how can they later turn around and say to the Western powers that you have committed a great injustice? So the Western powers have preempted the defence of their pre planned high-handedness, by garnering the world opinion at such a cost and by coercing other countries to contribute to these transgressions in nominal terms; then they can watch the show from the sidelines. It is born out by the fact that some Muslim countries who have sent their troops are openly making statements that we will not be a party to the actual invasion, we will be simply stationed in Mecca and Medina to protect the holy places. The government of Pakistan has made a similar unenlightened statement. This implies that the (Iraqi) army that would reach Mecca and Medina - after routing the armies of Super Powers - it would be left for the Pakistani army to take it on! What a preposterous thought! In fact these countries have been given to understand that you need not worry; come sit in our lap, in peace, and enjoy our protection. We just want your nominal participation; that is sufficient for our purposes. 146