ARTICLE BY MARGHERITA BONIVER
UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE

ITALIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

April 5, 2003

Can democratic systems possibly be introduced into the Middle East?

Let's say that it's necessary, and not merely possible. Today, we cannot help but be optimistic despite the war under way, which we obviously hope will end as soon as possible with the victory of the Anglo-American forces and the definitive defeat of the Baghdad regime. I find that an opposition that hopes for a long bloody war meaning of course that the dictator would win simply to prove the absurd notion that this war is illegal, unfair and useless, is ridiculous, to say nothing of chilling.

This war is not only "fair". It is also "legal", since the UN Security Council's unanimous approval of 1441 of 8 November 2002 demanded total disarmament of the Rais if he wanted to avoid "serious consequences". Unfortunately, as anyone can see, Saddam did not disarm, nor did he have any intention of doing so. And he even had kamikazes parade down the streets, making terrorist threats under the innocent eyes of the UN inspectors. Contrary to the declarations made by a left inebriated with lies, we hope that this war will cause as few deaths among the armies of our allies as among civilians.

Democracy of course, is not exportable. But in countries that have only known tyranny we can encourage a process in that direction. Just as plants are grafted in the spring, democracy can be grafted in the Middle East. There is no excuse not to: Islam is certainly not an impediment. The history of Turkey is an example. Today, it is a great nation, Moslem and a future partner of Europe.

The proof that all this is possible comes from Afghanistan where a process of democratisation is under way today. It is being led by Hamid Karzai's Afghan Transitory Administration. And anyone can see the energy of the UN structure that is rebuilding the country, naturally with the military and economic participation of the international community, where Italy is making an outstanding contribution.

The West has regrettably overlooked the area of what was once Mesopotamia for years, focusing on its own interests and even exporting massive quantities of weapons to Saddam to counterbalance Iran. Now, it is our duty to do everything possible to support a different geopolitical order in the Middle East. This will affect not only the post-war reconstruction, which we hope will take place with multilateral participation, of the UN and the EU first of all, but also the resumption of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. The second Intifada has left a terrible wake of blood in its trail. We need to do all we can to ensure finalisation the roadmap, a peace plan that has been pushed aside for far too long. Abu Mazen's appointment as Prime Minister is the only good news we have had from Palestine for quite a while.

Italy has taken the first step with its proposal for a Marshall Plan for the region, suggested by Prime Minister Berlusconi. And why not hold a future peace conference here, at Erice, for example.