January, 2001

Dr. Esmat Abdel-Meguid
'Middle Eastern cooperation projects could never substitute the Arab League'

Interviewed by Sawsan Hussein

Dr. Esmat Abdel-Meguid, the secretary-general of the Arab League, is an eminent diplomat who began his career in the Egyptian diplomatic corps. Since obtaining his Ph.D. in international law in 1951 he has presided over a number of legal committees, participating in the formulation of a number of international agreements, and has worked as an ambassador. He was the permanent representative of Egypt at the United Nations in 1975 and in 1984 was appointed foreign minister. He was elected secretary-general of the Arab League in 1991.
During his career, Dr. Abdel-Meguid has received a number of important awards and prizes. Of his many writings, perhaps the most well known is The Age of Defeat and Victory.


* How would you assess the Arab League's role 55 years after its establishment?

Since its establishment on 22 March 1945, the Arab League has had a pioneering role in consolidating Arab relations for the benefit of the Arab countries, reforming their conditions and working for their futures. This has kept the Arab League a symbol of Arab unity for decades.

Changes and developments in the Arab world necessitated the amending of the Arab League charter in order to promote its national role. Chief among the achievements that have taken place in this regard are the decisions that were taken on 21-22 October 2000 to add an appendix to the Arab League charter stipulating the regular convening of the Arab summit.

* At what stage is the establishment of an Arab court of law, an idea that was raised at the time the Arab League was formed?

According to Article 19 of the Arab League charter, this court of law is a mechanism for the settlement of differences and disputes. Its establishment was primarily agreed upon during the Cairo Summit of June 1996 and the main system of the court has already been laid down. I hope that the final approval will be passed during the coming summit, due to be held in March 2001 in Jordan.

* What is your assessment of the recent developments in the occupied territories and how do you see the role of the Arab League in managing the conflict and the settlement process?

The Palestinian issue has always been of prime concern to the Arab League. The Arab League has reiterated its backing of the Palestinian people and its readiness to provide all possible means of aid in order to achieve the aspirations and hopes of the Palestinians in establishing their state.

I see the recent developments in the occupied territories as dramatic and catastrophic. I believe that Israel's military escalation has disclosed the failure of Israel's military machinery. The intifada has unveiled Israeli racism and shows that Israel fears peace and takes refuge only in weapons.

* What steps have so far been taken to establish an Arab common market?

The process of establishing an Arab free-trade zone actually began in January 1998. After three years, customs on products of Arab origin have been reduced by 30 per cent, at a rate of 10 per cent annually. By 2007, all customs barriers will have been eliminated, paving the way for the establishment of a common Arab market.

* In your opinion, can Middle Eastern cooperation substitute Arab integration?

Middle Eastern cooperation projects could never substitute the Arab League, the latter being an aggregation of a harmonious group of nations with similar identities. This is not the case with Middle Eastern cooperation. which is initially tied to achieving progress in the political settlement process, executing international resolutions and the principle of land for peace.