Mr. Hosny Emam is a prominent Arab journalist, based in London for many years. A long term president of the Foreign Press Association in London, Mr. Emam works and writes for the Kuwait News Agency, the largest Arab news agency, which supplies news to all the GCC countries. As a well-known Arab Affairs and Middle East analyst, he is also a BBC commentator, and is often invited for comments on Arab and international TV programmes of Al Jazeera, Al Arabiyya and CNBC Arabic Channels.
What opinions on Pakistan does the Arab World hold in general? Can Pakistan improve its ties with the Arab countries?
Hosny Emam: “This is a broad question. Generally each Arab country, quite naturally, goes by its individual foreign policies and needs. I can shed light on this subject from the Egyptian view point. Generally speaking, there are mixed feelings about Pakistan in Egypt, especially when it comes to comparison with India. While the Arabs look upon Pakistan favourably, as it is an Islamic Republic, there is fear and reticence of developing closer relations with Pakistan, due mainly to the dreaded ‘export of terrorism’. Unless this fear is eradicated, there will always be hesitation on the part of the Arabs to develop closer ties and they will lean towards India.
As far as my native country, Egypt, is concerned, there is a greater sympathy towards India, due mainly to historic reasons – the non-aligned movement, when closer ties developed between Nasser, Tito and Nehru. Egypt has over the years developed more trade with India than with Pakistan. The Saudis are particularly supportive of Pakistan, as they want to nurture the cause of Islam and often recruit Pakistani teams and guards for special purposes. They readily give asylum to many Pakistani political refugees. The UAE, being closest to Pakistan, has long imported Pakistani labour and has also given asylum to many prominent Pakistanis.”
The Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic States: Why have these institutions remained weak?
HE: “Countries of both organizations are weak and have not been able to find either a political or an economic common cause. Leaders of both are also weak and their systems are not solid enough to engender unity of purpose. Furthermore, there is corruption on a quasi-monarchist scale, where leaders acquire wealth and pass on the political powers to their sons. Sadly, the Muslim world is too divided and their economic progress is abysmal.”
What about peace in Syria? Will we ever see it?
HE: “Syria is, indeed a case in point, which illustrates the helplessness of the Arab nations. The Tunis conference did not achieve any success, neither did the visit of the UN chiefs. Assad is very stubborn and his army loyalists are mainly Alawites. While it is not clear as to what will happen in Syria, I do not think that there will be an Arab army invasion. In the end Assad will have to go, but it will take a long time and more destruction before he goes.”
Please shed some light on US/Egypt relations. The Americans are presently ‘on trial’ in your country. Will that jeopardize US aid regularly given to Egypt?
HE: “I belong to the pragmatic school. Antagonising the US will be a big mistake, Egypt is in transition and public opinion does exert some pressure on the government. Both the US and Egypt need each other. Egypt is a regional power and the US cannot ignore that. Egypt feels that Russia cannot fully be relied on – Syrian peace is a case in point. Also, now many Arab countries, Egypt more than ever, wants to uphold principles such as ‘freedom of expression’, accountability and transparency. The Egyptian economy is in bad shape, so we cannot afford arrogance. A realistic approach has to be established and both sides need to compromise.”
Yemen’s instability is a thorn in the Arab side. Where do you see the country going?
HE: “Yemen is the soft belly of the Arab world. Most of its policies are devised by the GCC, as there is fear of the Al Qaida’s influence in Yemen spilling over the borders. While Yemen has some oil, the main problem there is the shortage of water. Yemen is categorized as a failed, tribal state and is potentially extremely dangerous for the whole region. The GCC has to manage the situation very carefully.”
What is needed for Palestinian Unity – i.e. unity between Hamas and Fatah?
HE: “The main problem is that they do not trust each other. Egyptian mediation has not borne fruit. Hamas is very dogmatic and does not listen to reason, while Fatah has opted for a peaceful solution. I therefore, believe that there will be no peace until Hamas comes to its senses. Israel is more than aware of this and plays for time.”
The movement that began in Tunisia is termed in the West as the ‘Arab Spring’. Do you agree that this is the beginning of democracy in the Arab world?
HE: “So many phrases have been coined by reporters about the recent changes in the Arab world, but whichever way you look at it, these names have no real significance. A long process awaits us for democracy to take root.”