US wants to change map of Middle East: expert

ABU DHABI - A prominent member of a leading French think-tank said here yesterday that a war on Iraq could still be avoided,

By Syed Qamar Hasan

Published: Sun 23 Feb 2003, 2:58 AM

Last updated: Thu 23 May 2024, 10:11 AM

despite the strong-arm tactics being used by the United States to force some governments to side with it.

Pascal Boniface, the founder and director of the Institute for International and Strategic Relations and a consultant on strategic issues to the French defence and state departments, told newsmen in Abu Dhabi, with reference to the forthcoming UN Security Council meeting: "We would come to know on Friday if the US is able to get the necessary support for a war on Iraq. I believe it will be difficult."

Mr Boniface, who is on a four-day visit to the UAE, said that the Americans were painting a rosy picture of a quick war and easy peace in post-Saddam Iraq. "Listening to Mr Rumsfeld and Mr Wolfowitz it appears that the US wants to change the map of the Middle East, starting with Iraq as a model for all countries. It is a dream that cannot come true," he added.

He cautioned that a war and occupation of Iraq by the United States might give rise to terrorism, instability and repression. "Perhaps, if the Americans prevail, the war on Iraq could be a quick affair, but achieving peace and security in the region would not be that easy, the entire region will suffer and terrorism will rise," he noted.

Mr Boniface said his government was not against the use of force to disarm Saddam Hussein, but that it wanted more time for inspectors to go about their work in disarming him of weapons of mass destruction.

"In principle, we are not against the use of force to disarm Saddam Hussein, but we want force to be the last resort," stressed Mr Boniface. He did not rule out the possibility of France using its veto in case the Americans pressurised other Security Council members to vote for a war resolution.

"The US has vetoed on several occasions in favour of Israelis. A French veto will be for peace; it will be for the respect and dignity of the international community and the UN," he said.

When it was pointed out that the Americans could manipulate a provocative act, as seen in the past, and put the blame on Iraq as a reason to go to war, Mr Boniface replied: "There will be no repeat of the manipulations of the first Gulf War. The world is now aware of US manipulations. It will ask for more time and solid proofs to assess and determine any such claims."

He denied that there was any split in the EU on the issue. "It is a matter of opinion, there are some in the EU who just want to obey the US and others who have independent views and opinions." Mr Boniface's visit is in connection with his plans to establish in the UAE a regional centre for the Institute for International and Strategic Relations. The need for more interaction with the Arab states after September 11,2001 had become more important and necessary, he said.

During his stay, he will be meeting government officials and UAE think-tank members. He is scheduled to give a lecture on "The risks of a new Gulf war and its strategic consequences", in French at the Cultural Foundation this evening. Tomorrow he will be interacting with students of the UAE University and on Tuesday evening he is scheduled to deliver a lecture at Alliance Francaise in Dubai.