The Gulf Crisis and New World Order — Page 310
Sixteemh Friday Senno11 Mar 08, 1991 So from this point of view, it is of utmost importance that these three nations of the Middle East; namely, Iran, Iraq and Jordan, fonn a united front. They also need to reach an understanding with the other Arab nations so that these three do not become isolated into a completely distinct group but that they continue to receive the support of other Arab nations also. Another issue which will now be raised, concerns the giving of charity by the oil-rich Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to those Arab countries which have no oil. If such countries receive aid from the oil-rich countries on the basis of 'charity', it would be suicidal - that they have no legal right to it but are being given this aid just as giving alms to a beggar. This attitude would not only diminish but completely destroy forever any remaining chances of a resolution of the Palestinian problem. Therefore, the Arabs should adopt this stand that the oil wealth bestowed by God upon them, is their jointly owned wealth and they should all agree upon a formula that ensures their joint responsibility for its protection and fair and equitable distribution amongst the joint owners. Of course, the countries where this wealth has been discovered would receive one fifth share as is the Islamic rule concerning such bounties. Or where there is a difference of opinion between experts of Islamic jurisprudence (Fuqaha) some extra portion can be given to these countries. But it is necessary to get their agreement to this principle of "common ownership of oil wealth", and it is necessary that this principle be strictly adhered to. Then whatever money the non oil-producing nations receive as a consequence of this agreement will not be at the cost of their self esteem, but as their right. Indeed the truth is that initially, all the Arab world was one country. It was fragmented by the Western powers in contradiction of their own promises. The fact is that at the end of the First World War, the British had given a clear, binding, absolute and categorical promise that they would leave behind a united, free and independent Arabia. But that promise of a united, free and independent Arabia has not been fulfilled to this day. This means that, at that time it had been accepted that the wealth of all Arabia was jointly owned. They should hold fast to this principle and adhere to it strictly and should hold negotiations along these lines. 310