(By Amer Ali Khan) The conference of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was held at a time when preparations are in progress for American presidential elections on one side and on the other hand, Israel is getting ready to attack Iran. The entire world is afraid of the dreadful consequences of probable attack of Israel on Iran. In such situations conducting NAM conference in Tehran successfully is a historic event. Before talking about the NAM conference and its background, let me tell you that ever since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and the subsequent War, America, Britain and Israel had apprehensions about Iran. This was the reason that America and Britain, at every stage, tried to isolate Iran at International level. Even now such an attempt is going on. These countries have taken every possible advantage of these attempts. These attempts reached zenith after Iran’s nuclear programme. America under her stewardship started imposing sanctions unilaterally, which is affecting the economic progress of Iran.
The entire world knows the fact that Iran has been the victim of the tyranny and atrocities of America, Israel and the Western World. These countries are trying their level best to make Iran untouchable for the entire world. By imposing economic sanctions they thought that it would be made helpless but Iran is standing the Himalayas keeping its breast open. Iran is making all its attempts to prove that among 157 Muslims, it is the only “He-Man” who had the courage and strength to see eye to eye and talk to America and Israel. So to say that today, Iran has become the embodiment of this couple of Josh Maleehabadi.
“Zinda Rahna Hai to Meer-e-Karwan Ban Kar Raho
Is Zameen ki pastiyon mein Asmaan ban kar Raho”.
{If you want to live, live like the leader of the caravan
Be like a Sky in the lowlands of this Earth}
Participation of the heads of states of member countries in the NAM conference has bestowed moral victory to Iran, whereas it has brought disgrace to Israel, her master America and other western countries. These countries are quelled with the feelings of shame and humiliation.
The participation of the countries like India, Egypt, Pakistan and Palestine and Mr. Banki Moon, the Secretary General of the UNO has given Iran a novel courage. Iranians have been made to feel that the entire world is not the slave of America and Israel. At international level, several countries and the sympathies of the people are with Iran.
During the recent period, the ongoing violence in Syria has increased the worries of Iran. Dislodging the Govt. of Syria is being construed as an attempt to crush Iran but after organizing NAM conference, Iran has foiled such efforts. By organizing a gathering of 120 countries, Iran has shown the world that unipolar concept in not the only theory.
In fact, when the world was divided into two blocs, there were many countries which wanted to be away from these blocs. The heads of states of these had a strong feeling that since they are not associated with the organization of the western countries ‘NATO’ and the ‘Warsaw Pact’ of Russia, they therefore have no voice of their own and the voice of these two blocs is only one echoing in the world.
In the context of such situations, these countries decided to form a separate organization of their own. With the efforts of President of Egypt Gemal Abdel Nasser, Premier Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, first President of Indonesia Abdur Raheem Sukarno and President of Yougoslavia Marashal Joseph Broz Tito, a new organization came into being which was named as ‘Non-Aligned Movement”.
The countries of almost all the continents joined this organization as a result of which it grew stronger day by day. One of the important tenets of this organization is based on the principle of “Live and let live”. This organization, consisting of 120 member countries, is the second largest organissation after the United Nations Organisation. The number of developing countries is more in this organization. After the cessation of Cold War and after America assuming the status of the Super Power, it seems to be tilting towards America which is exhibited by the presence of the delegations of Russia and China in Tehran Conference.
According to the point of view of this organization, it maintained equal distance from the member countries of NTO and Warsaw pact. In no time, this organization became the voice of the third world countries alongwith the countries of the first and second world. After the disintegration of Russia, the organization of Non-Aligned Movement became almost ineffective and the world centered on the unipolar system, on which American leadership started dominating through NATO. Although the world remained unipolar for a number of years but after the emergence of Russia and due to China becoming a large economic and military power, at international level, the atmosphere of Cold War has been formed once again.
In these circumstances, the non-aligned countries of the world strongly felt that there is a need to rejuvenate once again. The NAM Conference held in Tehran is being construed as part of these attempts. Through NAM conference, Iran made America, Britain and Israel its strength and importance and it has also tried to minimize the gap between the Islamic Countries and to compensate the lack of unity among them. It has been successful in its attempts to a larger extent.
It may be noted that prior to NAM conference, the ruler of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah convened the Summit of Islamic countries in which he had made an announcement in clear terms that is Israel makes use of the aerial territory of Saudi Arabia, its planes would be shot at in the air. In fact, the pronouncement of Saudi Arabia was made in the previous context when Israel had used airstrip of Saudi Arabia for attacking the nuclear reactor of Iraq in 1980, but Saudi Arabia had not taken any action at that time against the Air Force of Israel. Bu the circumstances have changed now. The heads of States of Islamic Countries have now realized that America, Israel and Western Countries have created differences among the Muslim countries to weaken them and also to fulfill their vested interests.
This fact could be assessed from the special invitation of King Abdullah extended to President of Iran, Ahmedi Mahmood Nijad to attend Islamic Summit held at Makkah. President of Iran participated in this conference with greater fervour. This passion of unity of the Islamic countries has foiled the hopes of America and Israel.
On the other hand, Prime Minister of India, by attending the NAM conference, has made an attempt to communicate a message to the West that despite the growing proximity of America towards Israel, India can’t break its ties with its old companion. The bilateral relations of India and Iran are centuries old. Historically, India and Iran are tied up in the cultural, political and economic bondages with each other. Even today, India is a major purchaser of petrol and petroleum products from Iran. It also exports many things to iran.
It is a matter worth considering that in the wake of the conflicts of relations between India and Pakistan, Iran has always supported India, although some bitterness had prevailed when India had voted against Iran in a meeting of UNO at the instance of America. Both the countries have now softened their relations and refrained from ruining their bilateral relations.
Why no war against Iran?
The question now arises can America and Israel wage a dreadful war in Gulf Region by attacking on Iran? Its reply would be that, at least in the present circumstances, America is not in a position to impose a new war on Iran.
It is facing severe internal problems in addition to external issues. The most important thing is that the people of Iraq were forced to face the maximum retributions of the mistakes committed by Bush and Blair. At the same time, the America’s war on Iraq has defamed America in the world as a country of liars because it had targeted Iraq under the pretext of the presence of nuclear weapons in Iraq.
Chemical weapons couldn’t be traced out in Iraq but the reputation and economy of America reached the verge of wreckage. Afghanistan auctioned its remaining respectability at international level. The American War on Iraq and Afghanistan ruined American economy and shattered its universal credibility, pomp and show. American banks went bankrupt. On the other hand, countries like India, China and Korea have thrown the youths of America into the quagmire of unemployment by snatching their outsourcing jobs with the competence of these skillful youths.
A recently conducted survey revealed that the unemployment rate of America has reached 12.7% in the month of August 2012. The educated American youths have been forced to work as waiters and dish washers in the hotels, restaurants and bars. 89% of the youths between the age group 18 to 29 years in America have opined that their worst economic condition has affected their daily routine and life style.
The youths of America have unrest among themselves. Government exchequer is being overburdened due to health insurance schemes. The health insurance companies of America ensure people for 20 thousand dollars. Out of these health insurance policies, the senior citizens get the treatment worth thousands of dollars. Even this loss, government has to bear. American treasury is being overburdened on account of taxes also. The worst situation of security can be assessed from the fact that on someday or the other, firing incidents take place at one place or the other in America.
The growing strength of China and its proximity to the Muslim countries has placed America in a perplexed position. In such a situation, America can’t incur the folly of attacking Iran. Iran is not Iraq or Afghanistan.
America is fully aware that it doesn’t have the capability of fighting the war on the land. It can’t attack from the sea-routes because in the Persian Gulf and in the strait of Hurmuz, there are many oil wells and sea ports. If Iran sets these oil wells on fire, it will take 6 to 8 months to extinguish this fire.
America can’t afford air attack also because Iran is a densely populated country. In case of air attacks, it is possible that thousands of innocent citizens could be killed. If mass killings take place, there will be a massive wave of hatred against America throughout the world which may affect its interests and the lives of American citizens in those areas would be in danger.
As far as the frequent threats of Israel to attack nuclear installations of Iran are concerned, in fact, America wants to create a fear psychosis to spread terror in the region. Israel knows very well that in case it attacks Iran, it will become the target of Syrian Army, the warriors of Hizbullah, Palestinian Jihadis and Egyptian Islamists. It will not be safe.
Former ministers of Israel and its intelligence chiefs have warned the Prime Minister of Israel not to venture an attack on Iran.
They say that an attack on Iran would amount to inviting the wreckage for Israel.
In view of the above facts, it seems that America and Israel, no doubt, threaten Iran that they would attack but they can’t afford to wage a war in the present circumstances.
(The author can be reached at ameralikhan@msn.com)