Musharraf's dilemma

President Musharraf said that peace in Palestine that does justice to both the Palestinians and Israelis would bring to a close the sad chapter in the history of the Middle East and would revive the historical ties between Islam and Judaism. The President inaugurated the function by breaking the bread, Jewish tradition of honouring a guest, followed by recitation from Torah and Quran. The President was presented by US congressional citation by Congressman Tom Lantos.

This is for the first time that a President from a Muslim dominated country, second largest Muslim country and nuclear power as well, has spoken directly to a group of Jews which took place following hand shake with Israeli Prime Minister Aerial Sharon in the UN in New York three days before.

Pakistan is reportedly initiated secret meetings with the leaders of Israel two years back, which culminated in a meeting of the foreign ministers of Israel and Pakistan in Istanbul, Turkey with whom Israel has diplomatic relations. Turkey and Israel have been maintaining military and economic relations as well. This meeting has been described by many Middle East crisis observers a as historic event.

As of now Pakistan did not extend recognition to Israel, which declared independence unilaterally on May 14 in 1948 one day before the expiry of the British mandate of Palestine.

There has been series of protests in Pakistan following the disclosure of meeting between Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmoud Kasuri and Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. Leader of Al-Jamia-Islamiya said that it was a black day for the Pakistani people and they would not support recognition of Israel while Qazi Hussein Ahmad, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami that leads opposition Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, powerful six Islamic parties alliance, said that this was a move which is against the interest of Islamic ummah and reflects the pro-US policies of the present government. Although previous Pakistan governments had initiated dialogue at a lower level between the two countries, it was somewhat intriguing why President Musharraf chose to negotiate with hard-line Likud leader: Ariel Sharon.

Against the backdrop of protests in Pakistan President Musharraf temporarily backed out of according recognition to Israel unless Palestinian State is formed. In an effort to cool down the sentiment of the people in Pakistan President now declared that the administration has the blessing of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and the President Musharraf of the Palestinian authority Mahmud Abbas to engage in dialogue with Israel. To make the drama worse Foreign Minister Kasuri said that his country had decided to engage with Israel after Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. This appears to be the travesty of truth as can be seen from the total withdrawal date from Gaza strip was September 12, but both Foreign Ministers of Israel and Pakistan held talks on September 01 as a consequence of secret talks for a period of two years. Similarly, Pakistan's claim of blessing from the President Abbas of Palestinian authority has no basis as a spokesman of the PLA said the authority was "worried about Pakistan's making high level diplomatic contact with Israel. It is not good to give Israel gifts before it really implements the peace process, not only in Gaza, but in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem". Hamas also denounced the move. However, there is no word from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as to their concurring with Pakistan's initiative to establish dialogue with Israel.

The meeting between two Foreign Ministers of Israel and Pakistan can be attributed to a successful diplomacy of Israel which may have caused a set-back to the Islamic Republic of Iran, a neighbour of Pakistan. Iran maintains very hostile relations with Israel since the Islamic revolution took place in Iran that ousted pro-US Shah of Iran. The secret meeting between Israeli and Pakistani Foreign Ministers held at the initiative of Turkish Prime Minister was Recep Tayyip Erdogan who intends to diffuse tension in the Middle East. The three countries involved in secret negotiations are the close allies of the United States.

With the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq by the United States the prospects of establishing diplomatic relations by Israel with these countries were opened up. Israel established diplomatic relations with these Muslim countries without any hullabaloo. In Central Asia, Israel becomes the important player in establishing quick relations with the countries following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Israel recognised all five Muslim countries immediately. Apart from these, Israel was recognised by four other Muslim countries, including Jordan, Egypt and Mauritania while Morocco and Qatar have limited trade ties.

Relations with Israel opened up Pakistan's trade ties. According to the announcement of Israel's trade and Industry Ministry there would be no restriction for unlimited imports from Pakistan. Israeli importers are no longer required to hold valid license to bring goods from Pakistan. This decision was taken with a view to encouraging economic and commercial relations between the two countries. This will facilitate Pakistan to increase volume of trade with Israel. It may be mentioned that Israel has been enjoying free trade relations with the United States, European Union, Jordan, Canada, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Turkey.

India being another neighbor of Pakistan has been developing excellent relationship with Israel since it recognised in January, 1992. Israel and India signed enhanced defense cooperation agreement. Under this agreement India has been maintaining strategic alliance with Israel. That may have caused anxiety in Pakistan. President Musharraf, who initiated measures for improvement of bilateral relations with arch rival India may have decided to develop relations with Israel to thwart US-India-Israel axis. Another scenario could be that of President Bush's foreign policy of marketing democracy as a global phenomenon, particularly in undemocratic Muslim countries. Viewed in this context, President Musharraf has no other options but to succumb to the pressure of the United States to recognise Israel with or without Palestinians having their homeland.

Possibility for Palestinians to have homeland is bleak in view of Ariel Sharon's stated goals to expand Israel's largest settlements in the northern section of the West Bank, Maale Adumin. Meanwhile, Israeli government has ordered the seizing of West Bank land with a view to expanding the separation barrier around Maale Adumin in violation of international law (article 49 of the fourth Geneva Convention) and UN charter and link it to Jerusalem. Perhaps Musharraf was given to understand that positive gesture could extend his hold on to power without going through democratic process. If President Musharraf decides to go ahead with recognition process as did P.V. Narasimha Rao, them Prime Minister of India in spite of strong protests within his government and the ruling Congress, Musharraf will go down in history as a peacemaker in the region being a military dictator.

Mohammad Amjad Hossain, a former Bangladesh diplomat, resides in Virginia.