OIC ends summit, slams Isreal<\/p>\n
Patrick Chalmers, Reuters, Putrajaya, Malaysia<\/p>\n
Islamic leaders ended an annual summit on Friday without a
\nplanned resolution on Iraq and were overshadowed by host Prime
\nMinister Mahathir Mohamad's controversial remarks about Jews.<\/p>\n
While the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference
\n(OIC) tempered calls for a U.S. pull out from Iraq, it slammed
\nIsrael and a congressional vote for trade sanctions on Syria.<\/p>\n
OIC deliberations on Iraq were overtaken by events in New
\nYork, where the United Nations unanimously adopted a resolution
\naimed at getting troops and cash for Iraq, a diplomatic victory
\nfor the United States's efforts to broaden backing for its
\noccupation.<\/p>\n
Mahathir, who retires on Oct. 31 after 22 years in power, told
\nMuslim delegates to push for peace after decades of conflict with
\nIsrael in a typically blunt speech that included jibes about the
\ninfluence of Jews over Western powers.<\/p>\n
At the United Nations headquarters, a band of reluctant
\nSecurity Council members backed the text of the resolution at the
\nlast moment, though France, Russia and Germany said it conceded
\ntoo little on their demands for a greater UN role in Iraq for
\nthem to commit further troops or cash.<\/p>\n
Muslim nations agonized over the past week over how to word a
\nresolution intended for inclusion in their OIC communique,
\ndeciding in the end to drop it altogether at the request of a
\ndelegation from Iraq's U.S.-picked Provisional Governing Council.<\/p>\n
Delegates, who earlier called for an increased UN role and a
\nset timetable for U.S.-led forces to pull out of Iraq, settled
\ninstead in their communique for a call "to accelerate the
\nrestoration of the full sovereignty of Iraq".<\/p>\n
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher told reporters it was
\nfor the United States to pick up the pieces in Iraq.<\/p>\n
"It's not our job to raise money. The main responsibility is
\nthe responsibility of the occupying power," he said on the way
\ninto the meeting.<\/p>\n
Iyad Allawi, head of the U.S.-backed Governing Council, had
\nrejected the OIC push for a tighter timeframe, saying the UN text
\nwas paramount to improving the security situation.<\/p>\n
Four U.S. military police and two Iraqi policemen died in the
\nlatest ambushes in Iraq, bringing the total to 101 Americans
\nkilled in hostile action since Washington declared major combat
\nover on May 1.<\/p>\n
An unaccounted number of Iraqis have also died.<\/p>\n
Allawi criticized France, Germany and Russia for ignoring his
\nadministration's views.<\/p>\n
"As if we are pupils in a primary school, they want us to
\nreport to the Security Council. Unfortunately, they have not
\nconsulted with us," he said.<\/p>\n
Pakistan, a Security Council member, was one of the Muslim
\ncountries the United States hoped would send troops if a UN
\nmandate was obtained. President Pervez Musharraf said Pakistan
\nwould only send troops if its parliament approved and the Iraqis
\nrequested them, otherwise sentiment in his country was too
\nnegative.<\/p>\n
OIC leaders met with emotions running high over the occupation
\nof Iraq and the Israel-Palestinian conflict as well as Israel's
\nOct. 5 attack on Syrian territory.<\/p>\n
The summit denounced on Wednesday's U.S. Congress vote to
\nimpose trade sanctions on Syria, saying Washington lawmakers
\nwould only spur more Israeli violence.<\/p>\n
"They confirm their absolute solidarity with Syria and their
\ncountries' rejection of the Congress Accountability Act that
\nwould encourage Israel to persist in its aggression and challenge
\nof the international legitimacy," said an OIC declaration, which
\nhas no practical effect.<\/p>\n
The U.S. House of Representatives voted to impose sanctions on
\nSyria until the White House says it has stopped sponsoring
\nterrorism and halted programs for weapons of mass destruction.
\nThe U.S. Senate will take up the measure.<\/p>\n
Apology -- Page 12<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/oic-ends-summit-slams-isreal-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }