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Arabs loudly condemn U.S. missile attacks
But some quiet support remains
September 4, 1996
Web posted at: 11:45 p.m. EDT (0345 GMT)An analysis by World Affairs Correspondent Ralph Begleiter
(CNN) -- Opposition to the U.S. missile attacks against Iraq is widespread among Arab nations, although some opinions may be shaped by a fear of Islamic extremists and other political factors.
Mohamed Subeih, Palestinian representative to the Arab League, offered one perspective from the Arab community.
"We think it is enough suffering of the people of Iraq, and to increase the suffering by bombing, this is unacceptable," he said.
It's a view that on the surface indicates widespread anti-American sentiment and one that Iraq is only too happy to publicize.
"There is a general condemnation of the U.S. attack and it is very clear it is against international law and against the U.N. charter."
-- Nabil El Nijim, the Iraqi Arab League representative
But there are Islamic countries that quietly continue to support the American military, and public statements in the wake of this week's missile attacks may be driven by unacknowledged factors.
Voicing support of America's military presence in the Persian Gulf is anything but prudent in the Middle East. That's because Islamic extremists are violently opposed to the U.S. military bases in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region.
They have underscored this view with lethal attacks against U.S. forces such as two terrorist bombings in Saudi Arabia within the last year. Two dozen Americans died and hundreds were injured in the attacks that also served as a high profile criticism of the close rapport between the Saudi and American governments.
Kuwait backs U.S.
Arab leaders are quick to decipher the message, even if they don't acknowledge it.
"I think our Arab partners clearly understand what we are doing and what the risks are," President Bill Clinton said.
If that means expressing reservations about the American attacks, so be it.
"We hope the Iraqi people will be spared the rigors of the use of force and that the territorial integrity and political independence and the sovereignty of Iraq will be respected and should be respected," said Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa.
Only Kuwait, whose government was saved by the U.S.-led coalition in 1991, has publicly supported this week's attacks against Iraq.
Despite Iraq's best efforts to curry sympathy among its Arab brethren, the best description of Arab sentiment about the latest crisis might be summed up as ambivalence.
Many Arabs genuinely express sorrow for the suffering of the Iraqi people, but when it comes to Saddam's government, "There is a certain ambivalent attitude, a political stand which might not favor Iraq," said Clouvis Maksoud, Arab League spokesman.
Added former National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft: "I think privately a lot of people are cheering it who are not allowed to do so publicly."
The fact that U.S. and allied planes still take off to police the no-fly zones in Iraq from bases in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Persian Gulf may better reflect the regional support than public statements made after this week's attacks.
CNN Reporter James Martone in Cairo contributed to this report.
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