“Mad Dog of the Middle East” is finished: Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

“Mad Dog of the Middle East” is finished

Libya’s Colonel Qaddafi-Longest Serving Ruler in History

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Libyan leader Gaddafi’s four decade long rule and his six-month-old battle for control over Libya has come to an end. US President Obama expressed his total happiness on the Libyan developments and commented that “Qaddafi and his regime need to recognize that their rule has come to an end. Qaddafi needs to acknowledge the reality that he no longer controls Libya and needs to relinquish power once and for all”. What else can he say?

Thanks to Obama and his team, Tunisian President Zine Ben Ali stepped down after 23 years in power. Hosni Mubarak was ousted following large scale demonstrations in Egypt. Thousands of protesters poured in to streets in the biggest antigovernment demonstration in the Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain. Arab state Yemen saw mass protests demanding change in government. And now it is the turn of Colonel Muammar el-Qaddafi to face the wrath of his country people similar to that of Tunisia, Bahrain and Egypt. Qaddafi is on his way out.

Libya-an oil-rich nation has been under the firm and erratic control of Colonel Muammar el-Qaddafi since he seized power in 1969. But in February 2011, the unrest sweeping through much of the Arab world erupted in several Libyan cities. The faltering government of Qaddafi struck back at the mounting protests of rebellion.

Qaddafi took power in a bloodless coup in September 1969 and has ruled with an iron fist, seeking to spread Libya’s influence in Africa. He has built his rule on a cult of personality and a network of family and tribal alliances supported by Libya’s oil revenues. Internationally, he is regarded as an erratic and quixotic figure that travels with an escort of female bodyguards and likes to live in a large tent of the kind used by desert nomads.

The modern history of independent Libya began in 1951. On 21 November 1949 the UN General Assembly passed a resolution stating that Libya should become independent before First January 1952. Prior to 2nd World War Libya was a colony of Italy until Italian forces were driven out by the Allies in 1943. Libya came under the control of France and the UK as a UN Trusteeship in 1947 when Italy formally relinquished its claim to Libya. As part of the arrangement the United Kingdom and France governed the three historical regions of Libya, namely Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Fezzan. On 24 December 1951, Libya declared its independence-the country being called as the United Kingdom of Libya, and Idris being offered the crown. Two years after independence, on 28 March 1953, Libya joined the Arab League.

In April 1955, oil exploration started in the kingdom and oil drastically improved Libya's finances. The monarchy came to an end on 1 September 1969 when a group of military officers led by Qaddafi staged a coup against King Idris while he was in Turkey for medical treatment. After that the popular revolt in Libya in February 2011 is the latest and bloodiest so far.

Colonel Qaddafi - an admirer of Egyptian President Late Gamal Abdel Nasser and his Arab Socialist and nationalist ideology while he was in his teens - is the longest serving of all current non-royal national leaders and is one of the longest serving rulers in history. He is also the longest-serving ruler of Libya. Qaddafi took part in anti-Israel demonstrations during the 1956 Suez Crisis. Following the removal of King Idris the 27-year-old Qaddafi proclaimed the “Libyan Arab Republic”. Qaddafi turned Libya into anti-western radicals’ center. Qaddafi instead of calling himself as General accepted to be called as Colonel.

In 1977 Libya became a Direct Democracy governed by the people through local popular councils and communes. Qaddafi based his new regime on a blend of Arab Nationalism, aspects of the Welfare State, and what Qaddafi termed as "Direct, Popular Democracy". He called this system “Islamic Socialism" and imposed a system of Islamic morals outlawing alcohol and gambling. In March 2008 Qaddafi announced his intention to dissolve the country's existing administrative structure and disburse oil revenue directly to the people. He has been a strong supporter of the Palestine Liberation Organization, which support ultimately harmed Libya's relations with Egypt resulting in Qaddafi’s seeking closer relations with the Soviet Union.

Notable in Qaddafi’s politics was his support for liberation movements in West Africa as well as Muslim groups. The Reagan administration viewed Libya as an aggressive rogue state because of its support for revolutionary Iran in the 1980–1988 war against Saddam Husain’s Iraq, and its backing of liberation movements in the developing world. Reagan called Qaddafi the "Mad Dog of the Middle East”. Later developments led to strained diplomatic relations between USA and Libya for a long time.

Following the overthrow of Saddam Husain in 2003, Qaddafi announced his willingness to allow international inspectors into his country to observe and dismantle weaponry of mass destruction program by them. International inspectors unearthed several tons of chemical weaponry in Libya, as well as an active nuclear weapons program. As the process of destroying these weapons continued, Libya improved its cooperation with international monitoring regimes. In March 2004, British PM Tony Blair became one of the first Western leaders in decades to visit Libya and publicly meet Qaddafi. Blair praised Gaddafi's acts, and stated that he hoped Libya could be a strong ally in the international War on Terrorism.

On 15 May 2006, the USA announced that it would restore full diplomatic relations with Libya. However in June 2008, Qaddafi strongly criticized US presidential candidate Barack Obama for saying Jerusalem should remain the undivided capital of Israel. During the G8 Summit in July 2008 as Chairman of the African Union Qaddafi shook hands with US President Barack Obama - the first time the Libyan leader has been greeted by a serving US president.

As one of the continent's longest-serving post-colonial heads of state, the Libyan leader enjoys a reputation among many Africans as an individualist statesman. Qaddafi is also seen by many Africans as a humanitarian, pouring large amounts of money into sub-Saharan states. Large numbers of Africans have come to Libya to take advantage of the availability of jobs there, despite the weak private sector.

Mass movements, agitations, rebellions and large scale protests and demonstrations that have been taking place in the Arab World in the recent past are different from the military coups of yester years. Neither in the past nor at present there remains little hope that the people there would be able to get in to a democratic system. It looks like the army personnel in these countries have chosen a different strategy different from the past and provoking people to achieve their game plan. Only when democracies are established in these countries, there is a meaning to revolt. Or else it is just moving from one dictator to another dictator. But…the Million Dollar Question is about the role of USA in the Arab World Destabilization? Is it not USA that is going to be the ultimate beneficiary?

Hosni Mubarak’s Exit-A Great Triumph of People : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Hosni Mubarak’s Exit-A Great Triumph of People!

Egypt of Nasser, Sadat and Mubarak

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

An 18-day revolt led by the youth of Egypt ousted President Hosni Mubarak. Whether Mubarak’s exit would usher Egypt have a democratic set-up or continue to be under military dictatorship is a million dolor question. People obviously want a fundamental democratic change and open elections. The Military which controls Egypt now, in a statement ensured the amendment of the Constitution to “conduct free and fair presidential elections”. “The armed forces are committed to sponsor the legitimate demands of the people,” the statement declared, and the military promised to ensure the fulfillment of its promises “within defined time frames” until authority could be passed to a “free democratic community that the people aspire to.” It pledged to remove the “emergency law.” Whether the military will subordinate itself to a civilian democracy or install a new military dictator is difficult to predict now.

Egypt-for long a British protectorate, adopted Parliamentary Representative system and enjoyed partial internal autonomy before it was liberated from the Monarch rule by General Muhammad Neguib in 1952 revolution. Neguib who became the first President of the Egyptian Republic on June 18, 1953 was toppled in 1954 by Gamal Abdel Nasser-the Principal Architect of the 1952 revolution.

Nasser led Egypt to full independence on June 18 1956. His mark on Egypt, its people, culture, and politics is Indelible even forty years after his death. Nasser established a populist-socialist single party state banning all political parties and regulating every civil association. The civil society became very weak and opposition to Nasser's personal autocracy was negligible. Nasser consolidated personal and political power. The best indicator of his popularity as one of the great world leaders of his times is the Non-Aligned Movement-formation of an intergovernmental organization of states-which maintained equidistance from the major powers. Under the leadership of Nasser Suez Canal was nationalized and Egypt was seen as center point for anti-imperialist activity.

Nasser along with the then Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru, Yugoslavia First President Marshal Joseph Broz Tito, Indonesia First President Sukarno, the co-founders of Non-Aligned Movement, were recognized all over the world as the four prominent leaders of advocating middle course of states in the developing world away from the Cold War between Western and Eastern Blocks. Nasser was seen either as an equal or at times even above some of the world Prominent Leaders like the then Chinese Prime Minister Chou Enlai, Chinese Communist Party Leader Mao, Nkrumah of Ghana, First President of Zambia Kenneth David Kaunda, 35th and 36th Presidents of USA John F Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson, Nehru’s daughter and third Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, President of France for over a decade Charles De Gaulle and former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

Nasser on joining the army and progressing in the career gained importance. He was once summoned by the then British Controlled Prime Minister and was interrogated on the suspicion that he was forming a secret group of dissenting army officers in 1949. Though he denied the allegation, the “Association of Free Officers” was formed and started talking of freedom for Egypt. Two years later Nasser decided to launch large scale assassination campaign and guerilla attacks on British. Nasser determined to establish the independence of the army from the monarchy. Consequent to the developments that preceded and succeeded Egyptian Revolution of 1952, Nasser planned for the takeover of the government by Army Units loyal to Association. Following success of the revolution in just one day, Muhammad Naguib became the first President of Republic of Egypt and the monarchy was abolished.

“Association of Free Officers” was renamed as “Egyptian Revolutionary Council” chaired by Naguib with Nasser as Vice-Chairman. Both of them were also Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister respectively. Nasser being more powerful among them initiated banning all political parties and creating one-party system but favored to hold parliamentary elections. Following an assassination attempt on him, Nasser ordered the largest crackdown by arresting more than twenty thousand people. President Naguib was removed and was put under house arrest. Nasser toured extensively and through his speeches and acts gained control of the media. Soon he got himself appointed as President pending an election in January 1955.

Nasser took advantage of international scenario with specific reference to Arab World as well as Israel attacks in the Gaza Strip and projected himself as leader of Arab World. He emerged as prominent person of Non-Aligned Movement. In order to acquire arms to defend his country he preferred Communist Block over Western Countries. The New Constitution of Egypt was drafted in January 1956 and as the nominee of “National Union”-the single party-Nasser was elected as President of Egypt. Nasser’s policies both domestic and international alienated American support to him. When USA and Britain withdrew financial support for Aswan High Dam across the Nile River, Nasser announced nationalization of Suez Canal Company. This decision of him made a Great Hero throughout Arab World.

The Israeli war on Egypt, sequel to a secret agreement between Britain, France and Israel in October 1956 was publicly condemned by US President Eisenhower. Israel and its British and French allies had to withdraw. The Suez Canal that was closed was reopened. Nasser’s position became very strong in the international scene. Later developments made him more popular. Following developments in Syria which appeared close to becoming a Communist Satellite, Nasser formed the “United Arab Republic” with a total merger of both the nations-Egypt and Syria-in February 1958 and he became its President. Nasser always opposed Communism in the Arab World and even banned. When once he met Nikita Khrushchev, Nasser refused his request to lift the ban stating that it was an internal affair. However in September 1961 Syrian Army Units declared independence and the UAR collapsed. Nasser accepted personal responsibility for the collapse of UAR and his health deteriorated after the dissolution of the Union.

To preempt a Syrian like situation in Egypt, Nasser brought in Socialist Agenda in the country. The National Union Political Party was renamed as Arab Socialist Union. North Yemen civil war, Algerian independence, military coup in Iraq and connected developments also made Nasser popular once again. To overcome couple of internal dissentions Nasser appointed himself as Chief of the Armed Forces in 1963. Nasser introduced a new Constitution and the National Charter in 1964. The latter called for universal health care, provision of housing, building of vocational schools, widening the Suez Canal, an increase in women's rights, and developing a program for family planning. In addition, he attempted to maintain oversight of the country's civil service to prevent it from inflating and consequently becoming a burden to the state. He allowed gender-mixed schools, introduced evolution as an acceptable subject matter to discuss, amended divorce laws, and merged religious courts into civil ones.

Nasser sought to firmly establish Egypt as the leader of the Arab world and to promote a second revolution in Egypt with the purpose of merging Islamic and socialist thinking to satisfy the will of the general populace. He called for an Arab League Summit and also for the creation of the United Arab Command against Israel. In May 1964 he founded the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), an umbrella group of various groups. Nasser became President of Non-Aligned Movement in the same year and held the second meet in Cairo. Nasser was reelected for another six-year term as President in March 1965.

In the year 1967 Egypt had problems of war. In fact Soviet Union cautioned Nasser of the Israel’s intentions of a large scale war against Syria. Nasser in his speech to UN General Assembly in May that year raised the issue of the rights of Palestinian people. He believed war was inevitable. In June first week Israel attacked Egyptian Airfields. Within three days Nasser appeared on Television and informed the Citizens of the Country’s defeat. Israel captured the entire Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt, the West Bank from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria in the next two days. Nasser announced his resignation on 10th June 1967. Entire population of the country, on hearing his resignation over television, in one voice rejected, pouring in to streets. Nasser’s resignation speech goes like: “I have taken a decision with which I need your help. I have decided to withdraw totally and for good from any official post or political role, and to return to the ranks of the masses, performing my duty in their midst, like any other citizen. This is a time for action, not grief.... My whole heart is with you, and let your hearts be with me. May God be with us-hope, light and guidance in our hearts”. Responding to the demonstrators slogans that “We are your Soldiers Gamal” Nasser retracted his decision next day.

The Soviet Union resupplied the Egyptians what they needed and broke diplomatic relations with Israel. Nasser cut his relations with the USA. At home he arrested many army generals. Nasser slowly moved towards creating a full dictatorship in Egypt and assumed the roles of Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. In November 1967 Nasser accepted UN Resolution which called for Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories. In June 1968 Nasser commenced the “War of Attrition” against Israel. He allowed Soviets to construct naval Facilities. By then Yasser Arafat became the leader of PLO. The battle was perceived as an Arab-Palestinian victory. Nasser decided to entrust the battle leadership against Israel to Arafat. During his visit to Moscow Nasser introduced Arafat to high-level Soviet Officials. There was a cease-fire in the Attrition War in August 1970.

Nasser held an emergency Arab League Summit on 27th September to sort-out differences between King Hussein and PLO leadership. The participants literally crossed swords while Nasser pleaded with Arafat and Hussein to put an end to the verbal fight. The conference ended on a compromise note.

On 28 September 1970, at the conclusion of the summit, Nasser suffered a heart attack and was pronounced dead soon after. Following the announcement of Nasser's death, Egypt and the Arab world were in a state of shock. His funeral procession through Cairo, on 1 October, was attended by at least five million mourners throughout the 10-kilometre procession to his burial site. His flag-draped coffin was attached to a gun carriage pulled by six horses and led by a column of cavalrymen. All Arab heads of state attended. King Hussein of Jordan and PLO leader Yasser Arafat cried openly while Muammar al-Gaddafi of Libya reportedly fainted twice. Soviet premier Alexei Kosygin also attended. Almost immediately after the procession began, mourners had engulfed Nasser's coffin shouting "There is no God but Allah, and Nasser is God's beloved... Each of us is Nasser." Police unsuccessfully attempted to quell the crowds and as a result, most of the foreign dignitaries surrounding his coffin, including Kosygin, Hussein, French premier Jacques Chaban-Delmas, and Haile Selassie of Ethiopia were evacuated. The final destination was the Nasr Mosque, renamed Abdel Nasser Mosque, where Nasser was buried. An Egyptian political activist who was imprisoned by Nasser for four years claimed that "Nasser's greatest achievement was his funeral. The world will never again see five million people crying together”.

Anwar Sadat, a senior member of the “Association of Free Officers” during the 1952 Egyptian Revolution and a close confidant of Nasser, succeeded him as President of Egypt. His eleven years rule brought in the Multi Party System. Sadat’s success against Israel in the 1973 war culminating in “Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty” not only made him a Hero in Egypt but also won him the Nobel Peace Prize of that year. Sadat also became equally un-popular and his country had to lose membership in the Arab League. Contrary to expectations of Nasser’s supporters, Sadat surprised many with his tactical and shrewd political moves to emerge as a strong leader. His famous “Corrective Revolution”, a step to purge Nasserist members of the government and security forces as well as imprisonment of other political forces paid rich dividends to Sadat.

The 1973 October war suddenly launched by Sadat against Israel and the initial victories restored popular morale throughout Arab World that was lost during Nasser’s days. Israel recognized Egypt as a formidable force. The peace process had thus begun. Sadat’s peace move gained support from religious leaders including support from Pope Paul VI. When he visited Israel on November 19, 1977 and met Prime Minister Menachem Begin, he became the first Arab Leader to do so. Towards achieving a comprehensive peace to the Arab-Israeli Conflict, Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin facilitated by US President Jimmy Carter, signed the “Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty” in Washington on 26th March 1979. Both the signatories were awarded with Nobel Peace Prize. The Treaty that got wide support in Egypt however was seen as a betrayal by many Arabs. Arab League expelled Egypt and the League’s Head Quarters was moved from Cairo to Tunis-capital of Tunisia.

On October 6, 1981 Sadat was assassinated in Cairo. Among others Egypt Vice-President Hosni Mubarak was also wounded. His funeral was attended by record number of dignitaries. Sadat was succeeded by Hosni Mubarak and has held office for nearly 28 years.

Mubarak has been a central figure in the world's most volatile region for decades. His support for Israel won him the support of the West. Government critics are routinely jailed and freedom of expression and assembly are restricted. Egypt has long been a leader of the Arab world, and Mubarak, has successfully negotiated the complicated issues of regional security, solidifying a relationship with Washington, maintaining cool but correct ties with Israel and sharply suppressing Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism. He is one of the world’s longest-serving presidents. His iron grip on every level of Egyptian society has kept the Arab world’s most populous nation stable, but at a price.

Mubarak declared emergency rule immediately after Sadat’s assassination and renewed regularly. The decree allows Mubarak to seize or censor all publications and other media outlets. Mubarak made few friends among Palestinians. He proved incapable of influencing the Palestinian-Israeli peace process. Mubarak reestablished relations with Arab countries, beginning the Gulf's oil powers, and by 1989 won Egypt's return to the league. Cairo again became its headquarters.

But…people prefer democracy…and they agitated. They could get rid of Mubarak. Whether they would get democracy that they cherished is still awaited.