1 August - 5 August

Compiled by Kathleen Ridolfo

London's "Al-Hayat" (1 August): Hazem Saghieh argues in an editorial entitled "Sharon's Wall" that Israel seeks to permanently divide the West Bank by constructing a wall.

     "In the early 1960s, the poorer and less democratic built a wall in the face of the richest and more democratic. This was in Germany. Four decades later, the richest and more democratic are building a wall in the face of the poorer and less democratic. This is taking place in Israel-Palestine.

     "This difference is attributed to many changes in the regional and international, as well as in the political and economic, atmosphere. [Israeli Prime Minister] Ariel Sharon (who last year was opposed to the wall and called it 'populist'), will most probably try to sum down these changes to a single factor: terror. [U.S. President] George Bush may express his 'understanding' to the point of view of Israel's prime minister, just as he did before (even though he criticized the wall)....

     "When all is said and done, the wall does not conceal its symbolic representation of a racist hierarchy: Inside there are citizens, and outside there are barbarians. But it also does not conceal its negative repercussion on U.S. policy: the consequences extend from where the wall is built to Iraq in the East, and to Egypt, and perhaps further in the West. That is why George Bush should not express his 'understanding' when Sharon tries to make him do so.

     "There is, moreover, another point: If the three planned phases of its construction are completed, the wall will cover almost half the area of the West Bank, where most of its fertile land exists and, in effect, separates the northern West Bank from its southern part. In addition to its disastrous economic consequences, this would turn the Palestinian state into an impossible proposition. And everyone is aware of Israel's ability to transform the temporary into permanent, and security matters into strategic issues. But while the two-state proposition fails, contemplating a unified state in which citizens have equal rights would not work. Such a suggestion would be refused by Israelis, and will meet a Palestinian and Arab-Islamic opposition. A democratic state that is neither Jewish nor Islamic is doomed in advance.

     "Thus, what is to be done? What must be done is to bring down the wall and rally all the forces that can be mobilized to that end. The most powerful element to make this plan succeed is putting an end to terror and suicide attacks.

     "Regardless of whether the wall is designed to prevent terror, as the Israelis say, or as a pretext to absorb additional territories, as the Palestinians say, terror has to end. This is what will make it possible to mobilize Israeli public opinion against the wall and against absorption of territories. Only then will the Palestinians gather the means they don't have today to the right they already have."

Jerusalem's "Al-Quds" (2 August): The newspaper in an editorial entitled "President Bush's Responsibility!" calls on President Bush to take steps to "end the Israeli contempt" for peace.

     "The Israeli news media yesterday disclosed that Housing Minister Efi Eytam prepared a plan with the knowledge and consent of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his government to build more settlement neighborhoods in occupied Arab Jerusalem and bring more settlers to the area in order to preclude any future arrangement in the city. The Israeli tourism minister has also drawn up a plan to bolster settlement activity in Jerusalem. Add to this the news of two days ago that an official Israeli institution -- the Israel Lands Administration -- issued a tender for the construction of hundreds of new settlement housing units. This shows that the Sharon government is bluntly flouting one of the most important foundations of the road map, which stipulates a halt to settlement construction, and that its overt and covert practices on the ground are ruining the entire peace effort. This is also an indication that the Sharon government is neither interested in calming down the situation nor in finding a solution to the conflict that will lay the foundations of a genuine peace.

     "The gravity of the Israeli approach lies in the fact that it strengthens the Palestinians' belief that Israel is not interested in peace. Its claims about seeking to establish peace and its positions on the road map have been proved to be empty talk and a mere deception of international public opinion, particularly [that of the] United States, whose president called Sharon a man of peace. Israel is imposing a fait accompli and continuing with the implementation of its settlement plans before the eyes of the entire world, especially before the eyes of Bush and his administration. This administration, which has adopted the road map and announced that it is interested in its implementation, does not utter a single word about the systematic torpedoing of the road map by Sharon, his ministers, and his government's overall policy.

     "The Israeli policy and practices increase the suffering of the Palestinians and...could lead to an escalation and return the region to the cycle of violence and bloodshed, which is a more conducive atmosphere for the Israeli right wing to implement its old plans and policies....

     "Therefore, we say that what is happening at present is so grave that the United States and the Quartet must take specific and immediate steps to put an end to the Israeli contempt for the peace efforts and spare the region the consequences of Israel's tampering with the security and safety of the people in the area.

     "President Bush and his administration now bear personal responsibility to give a clear reply, not only to the Palestinian people and the Arab world but to all those who are concerned about peace, security, and stability in this region.... How can we be convinced that America is serious about the implementation of the road map at a time when Israel is committing mammoth violations and imposing fait accomplis in contravention of the road map?!"

Riyadh's English-language "Riyadh Daily" (2 August): The newspaper argues in an editorial entitled "Saddam Tapes" that purported audiotapes released by deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein "serve little purpose."

     "On the supposition that the six Saddam tapes broadcast since his fall are authentic, one fact is clear -- that the fallen dictator surely does have a recorder and tapes to go with it. He may well be living beyond these earthly possessions, perhaps in a small world of luxury, albeit in the shadows. But what he is actually seeking to achieve by these recordings and subsequent broadcast is truly puzzling. He knows well that whatever resistance is being put up against the U.S. forces in the country is based on anti-Americanism rather than being any sort of support for his return. Yet, these tapes surface....

     "...And with every tape released by Saddam, he stands the danger of exposing himself to those on his prowl. But the tapes are released nevertheless -- making one believe that he surely has strong resourceful supporters, both domestic and international.

     "To believe that he even stands an iota of a chance to make a comeback is downright dumb. But segments of the Iraqi population sympathetic to the deposed president are being made to believe in this absurdity.

     "And perhaps these are the elements Saddam may seek to exploit to carry out the daily attacks against U.S. forces. And the tapes certainly play up to them.

     "The so-called "Sunni triangle" is notorious for being the seat of Saddam loyalists. They need no tape to be indoctrinated. The anti-U.S. attacks in this region just north of Baghdad have been so intense that the U.S. has handed over security responsibilities in the area to the Iraqi police. This, in fact, appears to be the only solution to coping with the prevailing anti-American sentiments -- to hand over authority to the locals.

     "Be that as it may, the Saddam tapes continue to work the television channels. Although these tapes serve little purpose, it could still have much leverage with the people who are still supportive of the former president. While the U.S. can do nothing about the tapes, it should make every effort to convey to the Iraqi people that the Ba'athist regime is indeed gone -- even though Saddam may still be around. The common man is still fearful of Saddam and the possibility of his returning is truly terrifying. The tapes only add to these fears."

London's "Al-Quds al-Arabi" (4 August): In an editorial entitled "Saudi Arabia and the Talk of Reforms," the newspaper criticizes the Saudi government for its failure to implement reforms.

      "Saudi government officials always like to assert that the country is going through a process of change, reforms will inevitably be carried out, and that it is only a matter of time before these reforms are completed.

      "However, observers notice no indications that these words are translated into action. Rather they see a state of stagnation and continuation of the same policy. However, the only tangible development was the launch of government-sponsored dialogues in Riyadh and Jeddah with some political, cultural, and media figures taking part.

      "Issues that are usually raised behind closed doors, such as corruption, poverty, distinction between provinces in development projects and jobs, and lack of freedoms, were bashfully discussed during these dialogues.

      "Talking about reforms is easy. Perhaps it is a way to vent anger. What is most important is to match words with deeds. But to date there has been no action while there is no sign of reforms.

      "Saudi Arabia is not the only country where reforms have been promised.... [But] it is illogical to compare Saudi Arabia to other neighboring states, such as Jordan, Egypt, and Syria. Saudi Arabia is a rich state and its oil revenues in the past 20 years alone totaled more than $1.5 trillion. Yet, it is still sinking in debt while newspapers there carry reports of destitute neighborhoods and citizens who lack minimal standards of a dignified life.

      "It is true that Saudi Arabia is experiencing difficult security circumstances that are evident in the escalating confrontation with Islamic jihad groups that are linked to the Al-Qaeda organization, which is led by Shaykh Osama bin Laden.

      "What is also true, however, is the fact that these groups developed, achieved influence, rebelled against the state, and used violence mainly because of the country's deteriorating economic and political conditions, stagnation, and vast gap between an affluent class of princes and their aides and an overwhelming majority of the people who have no access to essential services and job opportunities and enjoy no equality before the law in a country regarded as the richest in the region.

      "The Saudi government tolerates talk about the need for reforms without carrying out such reforms because the barrier of fear among Saudi citizens collapsed and Saudi figures appeared on satellite television channels and in foreign press challenging the current situation and demanding change and reform without any fear. The political and cultural elite members now welcome the idea of signing petitions to demand reforms, while in the past, such a practice was taboo and led to dark, solitary prison cells.

      "...It was noticed that the Saudi government was quick to make huge concessions to the U.S. administration last week after the latter published a report on the events of 11 September [2001], which indicated that Saudi officials were indirectly implicated.

      "The Saudi government allowed U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation operatives to question some wanted Saudi nationals, such as Al-Bayyumi, something that was a taboo in the past.

      "So, when will this government be generous toward its citizens and meet their demands? After all, it has admitted that these demands were legitimate and fair."