America has to learn to listen to its friends in the Middle East, and should stop lecturing them from a prepared script. George W. Bush's historic visit to the region is the first time a sitting US president has come to the UAE, and it has given him a tremendous opportunity to hear from the leaders and the people of the region how to tackle the region's serious issues.
Bush's top priority is Iran, which he described as "the world's leading state sponsor of terror". He said Iran was "undermining peace in Lebanon and Palestine by aiding "terrorist groups like Hezbollah ... and Hamas". And despite the recent National Intelligence Estimate that Iran does not have a nuclear weapons programme, Bush said that Iran's refusal to be transparent on its nuclear plans was destabilising the region.
Bush's failure to see beyond his own narrow perspective is driving a wedge between America and its Arab allies in the Middle East. Hamas has won elections in Palestine, and is a popular and legitimate political movement, which cannot be ostracised. Hezbollah is an established and important part of the Lebanese political scene, and needs to be included as a full part of the Lebanese political dialogue.
Iran itself cannot be ignored. It has to be treated a normal part of the political framework in the Gulf, despite areas of disagreement. As Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal said, "We have relations with Iran and we speak to them. If we sense a threat ... we will speak with them."
But while Iran may be high on Bush's agenda for the region, the Arab states have other priorities. The United States has to reverse the massive damage it did to Iraq by failing to have any plans for nation-building after the 2003 invasion. The Gulf states have repeated many times that they are willing to support any regional initiative to kick start political development in Iraq, but it has to incorporate all political parties from Iraq and not ignore those who are against the American presence.
The longest standing Arab priority remains the tragedy of the on-going occupation of Palestine. If any peace talks are to be taken seriously, Israel has to immediately stop expanding its illegal colonies, and eventually commit to removing them. This is not happening and that emphasises the emptiness of the Annapolis process.
Bush is in Saudi Arabia today, where he will spend time with King Abdullah, the author of the Abdullah Plan, which offers complete peace with Israel for complete withdrawal. Bush would do well to listen to his host and adopt the plan.
Finally, throughout his trip Bush has been repeating his support for justice and freedom in the region, which he puts it in the context of democracy and personal liberty. No one can disagree with support for justice and freedom, but the US president cannot insist on it in some places and then fail to support it in Palestine.
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