AMMAN, Jordan, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Arab press roundup for Feb. 12:
The United Arab Emirates' al-Khaleej commented in its editorial Monday on Russian President Vladimir Putin's statements at a security conference in Munich in which he criticized U.S. unilateral policies. The pro-government daily said Putin's remarks blasting the "American empire of dominance" are new and serious because it's the first indication that Russia will no longer accept American unilateralism. It noted the Russian president was clear that U.S. action ignoring international laws has made the world a less safe place. The U.S. administration, through Defense Secretary Robert Gates, responded to Putin's remarks by saying that "one Cold War was enough." However, the paper added, Russia, China and France, as well as other countries, are not pushing for another Cold War. It's the Bush administration that is provoking and carrying out confrontations, wars and seditions as it pushes for a new Cold War. "Putin's words indicate a new Russian approach that rejects American unilateralism and the logic of force and hegemony, paving the way for a new, multi-polar world order," it stressed.
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Lebanon's as-Safir said last week's incident in which the Lebanese army responded to Israeli cross-border violations in southern Lebanon shows that Hezbollah has entered a serious competition with the army on protecting the south. It added in a commentary this competition quickly shifted inwards when the authorities seized a truckload of arms for Hezbollah. The independent mass-circulation daily said the arms issue was exploited and the political loss for Hezbollah was bigger than the government's, insisting that Hezbollah's political losses are increasing by the day in Beirut. It argued while the issue of the confiscated weapons does not indicate a start of a campaign to disarm Hezbollah according to international laws, it is not a coincidence and appears as though a trap was set up for both the organization and the government. "It will not be easy to get out of the trap without serious harm that will affect the whole country, which is these days dancing to the rhythm of a civil war," it warned.
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The Palestinian al-Quds said Israel is once again trying to obstruct any international effort to revive the peace process by inciting the Quartet Committee members to take a negative stand after the Palestinians reached an agreement in Mecca to form a new government that paves the way for restarting the peace process. It complained that Israel is now demanding the new Palestinian government recognize the Jewish state while Israel refuses to recognize the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people or withdraw from the occupied territories. The Jerusalem-based Arab daily, which describes itself as independent, said while Israel demands the Palestinians stop violence, it continues its military campaigns against the Palestinians. "And while Israel asks the Palestinians to commit to the signed agreements, it violates these very same accords," it said, adding that as the Palestinians are trying to pave the way to restart the peace process, Israel has started excavating near al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. "The international community should not remain hostage to the endless Israeli conditions while it (Israel) does not show any serious desire to achieve peace and respecting international legitimacy," the daily stressed in its editorial.
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Kuwait's al-Rai al-Aam said Valentine's Day is another trend that represents the cultural loss suffered by Arab youth and asked: "What do we Muslims have to do with Valentine?" The pro-government daily explained the background of St. Valentine and how he married secretly, violating a ban on marriage, and was punished with death when he was discovered in February. "What does this story of a murdered lover have anything to do with Muslims to celebrate such a ridiculous memorial?" it asked. "So why are we dashing after importing everything?" It stressed while it in favor of importing technology and anything else that is scientifically beneficial, "we are against running after importing habits because this indicates moral bankruptcy." The paper insisted the world will "not respect us if we exercise a cultural meltdown and deny our identity."
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Jordan's independent al-Ghad published a cartoon criticizing Arabs about their priorities, showing they are more interested in Valentine's Day than with political developments. The cartoon shows a mustached Arab in traditional white robe and headdress fast asleep on a chair. At the top of the drawing reads: "Arab preparations," and above the sleeping man reads: " ... For supporting al-Aqsa Mosque." Next to the sleeping man stands another one, dressed the same but all in red. He is wide awake, smiling and is holding a red flower in his hand. Above him reads: " ... For Valentine's Day."
