WHILE there appears to be no immediate threat of a Saudi-Iran conflagration, ties between the cross-Gulf giants remain far from cordial.In such a scenario, the Pakistani leadership’s efforts to bridge the gulf between Riyadh and Tehran have produced mixed results. While the initiative was welcome, expectations were naturally limited, considering the complexities of the Saudi-Iran relationship, as well as the nature of ties between both states and Pakistan.There was a difference of emphasis in both capitals. For example, on the Saudi leg of the peace sojourn — which saw the prime minister and army chief form a high-powered peacemaking team — there was discussion of Pakistan’s involvement in the 34-nation Saudi-led ‘counterterrorism alliance’, along with standard fare about Pakistan’s standing “with the people of Saudi Arabia” against threats to the kingdom’s territorial integrity.
Compared to the somewhat cool response to Pakistan’s peace initiative in Riyadh, the Iranian leg of the journey seemed to produce more tangible results. For instance, Pakistan and Iran agreed to appoint ‘focal persons’ from each country to help defuse cross-Gulf tension. It is also significant that in his meetings with senior Iranian defence officials, the army chief sought to assure his hosts that Pakistan’s involvement in the Saudi counterterrorism coalition was not an anti-Iranian measure.Of course, the days to come will tell whether or not Pakistan’s shuttle diplomacy to the Middle East will pay off and pledges by Riyadh and Tehran to work for regional peace materialise.For one, the Saudis should also appoint a focal person to make operational the proposed tripartite conflict-resolution mechanism. Pakistan is, of course, not alone in its efforts to defuse tensions in the Gulf.
World powers, including China, Russia and the US, have all expressed concern over the Saudi-Iran spat. The Russians have reportedly offered to mediate, while the Chinese president, currently on a regional tour, has visited Saudi Arabia and is due to arrive in Iran.
We must realise that differences between Saudi Arabia and Iran are significant, covering a mix of geopolitical, geoeconomic and religious factors, and will not be resolved overnight simply by issuing positive-sounding statements.What is needed is a constant effort on part of the international community, particularly the Muslim states, to keep the lines of communication open between the kingdom and the Islamic republic.On the home front, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s remarks in the National Assembly on Tuesday categorically stating that Pakistan will not join an anti-Iran alliance, are also welcome and back up the observations made by Pakistan’s leadership in Tehran.
Moreover, Mr Asif’s mentioning that Pakistan will not get involved in any anti-Shia grouping is also positive. These statements matter not just for domestic communal harmony, but also to reinforce the position abroad that this country will not get involved in any sectarian conflicts beyond its borders.’
The defence minister also gave the house a few details about the over 1,100 Pakistani military officers currently stationed in Saudi Arabia. While these personnel may be present in the kingdom to honour decades-old bilateral agreements, mostly in an advisory capacity, Pakistani combat troops should not be sent to Saudi Arabia. Pakistan has made the right decision by not taking sides in the cross-Gulf spat and trying to bring the protagonists together. Now it must stay the course and maintain its neutrality.
http://www.dawn.com/news/1234305/gulf-mediation
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