Frank Wisner is a former ambassador to India and recently President Barack Obama's special envoy to Egypt. He discusses international politics and the outlook for Egypt and the Middle East with Samyukta Lakshman of Gateway House:
How do you see the transition in Egypt from dictatorship to democracy? The Muslim Brotherhood will certainly play a role, but will it play a constitutional role?
We are obviously in early days, i can't be entirely sure how the Egyptian political system will evolve, but i believe that in their holding a constitutional referendum on March 19, the Egyptians have taken a first step. Dates for parliamentary elections and then a presidential poll have also been set. Between now and September, you will see political parties take new life; candidates for the presidency will emerge. The press will be vigorous and free.
Egypt's instincts are to sort herself out. I am hopeful that Egypt will come through this with a democratic system. But there are lots of unanswered questions: What will the role of the Muslim Brotherhood be? How will the army see its role going forward? Will the economy be disrupted? Basically, i am an optimist about Egypt, and i believe that Egypt's instincts will take her towards stability and a higher level of democratic participation.
How has Libya affected the US's withdrawal plans from Afghanistan and Iraq?
The American intervention in Libya is a part of the international mandate called for by the Arab League and provided for by the United Nations Security Council. It is not a unilateral American initiative; it is now under Nato leadership. It is an allied, European effort that has Arab participation and could not be more different from the American intervention in Iraq.
The US is trying to improve its image. We have a reputation deficit, not to put too fine a point on it. We can only improve our standing in the eyes of Muslims by being clear that we are open to and respectful of Islamic values and traditions. Americans need to be proud, as i am, that we are a multicultural and multi-religious society. Internationally, we have no quarrel with Islam. We have a quarrel with those who practise violence.
I think repairing America's image will take a long time. There will be a reduction in the use of force. The president has announced plans to leave Iraq and Afghanistan. Libya, i am absolutely certain, is a short-term intervention to protect human life, not to begin an occupation. We need to make that clear if we want to sustain Arab and Muslim support for the campaign in Libya.
Were you surprised by India's refusal to vote for the UN action against Muammar Gaddafi's regime?
No, i wasn't surprised that India had reservations about voting for a resolution over the use of force, even for the protection of human life. To many Indians, it meant the intervention of one nation in another nation's affairs. India has long been hostile to such undertakings.
Do you see a BRIC coalition emerging against the US and its allies on issues like military intervention and regime change?
No, i see common interests between India, Brazil, China and Russia but i don't see a political coherence in the line-up. I doubt one is going to emerge. I think India's ties with Washington are important. She will want to preserve her ties with Europe, and it doesn't mean that she won't have good ties with the Brazilians. The same is true of Brazil, China and Russia. There is no political connectivity between BRIC powers.
How do you see the transition in Egypt from dictatorship to democracy? The Muslim Brotherhood will certainly play a role, but will it play a constitutional role?
We are obviously in early days, i can't be entirely sure how the Egyptian political system will evolve, but i believe that in their holding a constitutional referendum on March 19, the Egyptians have taken a first step. Dates for parliamentary elections and then a presidential poll have also been set. Between now and September, you will see political parties take new life; candidates for the presidency will emerge. The press will be vigorous and free.
Egypt's instincts are to sort herself out. I am hopeful that Egypt will come through this with a democratic system. But there are lots of unanswered questions: What will the role of the Muslim Brotherhood be? How will the army see its role going forward? Will the economy be disrupted? Basically, i am an optimist about Egypt, and i believe that Egypt's instincts will take her towards stability and a higher level of democratic participation.
How has Libya affected the US's withdrawal plans from Afghanistan and Iraq?
The American intervention in Libya is a part of the international mandate called for by the Arab League and provided for by the United Nations Security Council. It is not a unilateral American initiative; it is now under Nato leadership. It is an allied, European effort that has Arab participation and could not be more different from the American intervention in Iraq.
The US is trying to improve its image. We have a reputation deficit, not to put too fine a point on it. We can only improve our standing in the eyes of Muslims by being clear that we are open to and respectful of Islamic values and traditions. Americans need to be proud, as i am, that we are a multicultural and multi-religious society. Internationally, we have no quarrel with Islam. We have a quarrel with those who practise violence.
I think repairing America's image will take a long time. There will be a reduction in the use of force. The president has announced plans to leave Iraq and Afghanistan. Libya, i am absolutely certain, is a short-term intervention to protect human life, not to begin an occupation. We need to make that clear if we want to sustain Arab and Muslim support for the campaign in Libya.
Were you surprised by India's refusal to vote for the UN action against Muammar Gaddafi's regime?
No, i wasn't surprised that India had reservations about voting for a resolution over the use of force, even for the protection of human life. To many Indians, it meant the intervention of one nation in another nation's affairs. India has long been hostile to such undertakings.
Do you see a BRIC coalition emerging against the US and its allies on issues like military intervention and regime change?
No, i see common interests between India, Brazil, China and Russia but i don't see a political coherence in the line-up. I doubt one is going to emerge. I think India's ties with Washington are important. She will want to preserve her ties with Europe, and it doesn't mean that she won't have good ties with the Brazilians. The same is true of Brazil, China and Russia. There is no political connectivity between BRIC powers.
No comments:
Post a Comment