Opinion Editorials, December 2003, www.aljazeerah.info
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Iran Earthquake
Arab News 27 December 2003
Everyone’s heart must go out to the people of Iran as they struggle to cope with the devastating consequences of their latest earthquake, which has struck the eastern city of Bam, killing thousands and making many more homeless. Iran is no stranger to such tragedies. In 1990, no less than 35,000 were killed in a quake. However this history also means that Iranians have the experience and knowledge to cope with such disasters.
That said, it must be hoped that the international community will not be slow in offering help and support. This includes the Americans, who are present in such significant numbers in neighboring Iraq. Such support should be openhanded and represent offers of whatever the Iranians say they need, not simply what the helpers think the Iranians ought to need.
This is important at this politically sensitive time for Iran. If Washington is wise, it will seize the opportunity to bring something positive out of this terrible event. The Iranians are a proud and sophisticated people. The offers of outside aid that are made to them should be both practical and respectful. It is likely that medicines, blood, water purification, earth-moving equipment and tents or other temporary accommodation will be most gratefully received.
The example of Greece and Turkey should not be forgotten. In August 1999, when the industrial region around Izmit near Istanbul was shattered by a massive quake and 17,000 people died, the very first offer of help came from the Greeks, historically bitter enemies to the Turks. The effect of this generous gesture was not lost on Turks and led to a substantial improvement in relations between Ankara and Athens. Indeed, when a few months later eastern Greece suffered a smaller earthquake, in their turn the grateful Turks brought help and assistance to their neighbor.
On no account should such gestures be dismissed as cynical political maneuverings. While they certainly represent diplomatic opportunities, they go far deeper than that. The plain fact is that in the face of a disaster that befalls any community, sympathy and a desire to help are fired up even among nominal enemies and rivals. This manifestation of kindness and decency transcends whatever bitter arguments have gone before. Rather than being allowed to fade, it should be channeled into a gesture whose effect exceeds the basic practical help.
Of such opportunities can new political beginnings be made. Iran believes that it has many reasons to suspect the motives of the United States and its allies. Yet, as its moves toward international inspections of its nuclear program demonstrate, Tehran wishes to re-integrate itself into the polity of nations. The tragedy in Bam gives everyone, especially the Americans, the opportunity to demonstrate that the hand of friendship is really there.
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| Earth, a planet hungry for peace |
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| The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03). |
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| The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers in the West Bank, like a Python. (Alquds,10/25/03). |
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