Well, there are many choices here including Egypt and Jordan for that matter, two client regimes of the United States. But the primary country that should be involved is Saudi Arabia, home of Osama bin Laden and the country where another bombing took place years ago said to be linked to bin Laden.

But of course we're not naive here. We realize the U.S. doesn't really want a way out; and certainly not one of this kind. The U.S. militarists clearly want to use this "historic opportunity" to enforce their "new world order", one in which before 11 September they were often isolated from support around the world, as was the case at the international conference on racism in Durban, just weeks ago on the calendar but now oh so long ago in history. The U.S. is likely to do everything it can to make sure that no one accepts this offer from Afghanistan, not to negotiate with the Taliban government in any way, and probably to start military action even sooner than was otherwise planned.

But the rest of the world shouldn't just sit by, wring its hands, and watch; not only risking a major world war but allowing a future likely to be one of tremendous tension and growing hatred into the foreseeable future. In fact there are three major international bodies that could and should have the courage to defy the Americans if need be and pick up on what is happening so that a real way out from the bloodletting can be found.. The Islamic Conference could meet in emergency session and could accept the offer of Afghanistan to turn over Osama bin Laden for trial. The Arab League could do the same.

But of course we're not naive here. Both of these organizations are extraordinarily weak, mislead, confused, and dominated by the very "client regimes" the U.S. manipulates so well..

And then there is the United Nations. The U.N. Security Council could and should meet in emergency session, and it could resolve that it, representing the world community, has the responsibility to take all possible steps to try to prevent major war; that it, representing the world community, has the obligation to mandate that the government of Afghanistan turn over the accused person and those complicitous to U.N. jurisdiction and the International Court of Justice. At the very least, the U.N. should realize that it has the responsibility to at least offer this way out even though so far the Taliban has insisted it would only work with Islamic institutions and governments.

But of course we're not naive here. First of all we know that the U.S. will pull out all stops to prevent any of these organizations from acting, and would along with the British try to veto any such resolution if it ever came close to passage.

Mid-East Realities

www.middleeast.org

Source: http://www.middleeast.org/articles/2001/10/442.htm