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New York, Mar 10: Muslim nations are on the receiving end of the American stick. One would be inclined to draw such a conclusion analysing the recent developments. The official Washington is making no difference between a foe and a friend. Washington cannot trust a Muslim nation however obliging and obsequious they maybe.
The USA opted to help and support India to beef up its nuclear power. It turned its face against Pakistan, Washington's most staunchest ally on war against the terror, when it made similar request to strengthen its nuclear programme for civilian purposes. Another strong US ally Dubai faced similar harsh treatment which had acquired the right to manage six harbours in USA.
The Dubai deal though was not opposed by the White House or the State Department. The Congress put down its feet saying the deal was fraught with danger and a potential security risk. President Bush and top US generals gave Dubai a clean chit saying its support in the war against terrorism was praiseworthy.
President Bush's approval rating has hit a bottom low. The mid-term Congressional elections are due to be held in November. Republicans fearing a backlash are trying to distance themselves from the White House. Republicans sustaining their majority both in the House and the Senate seems unlikely. The Democrats, still a disparate lot, are gaining lost grounds.
Dubai Ports World, the company which won the right to operate six US harbours, have said they are withdrawing. The aborted deal brings to
surface a growing American dilemma about how to reconcile its avowed
commitment to prevent nuclear proliferation and free trade in goods and
capitals with its national security priority. Dubai has a population of
four million. But only 20 per cent are the UAE citizens, the rest are immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. China and Middle East countries, which are awash with petro-dollar due to exorbitant rate of oil, wish to invest the dollars they earn in dollar-denominated assests. There has been dramatic change in US foreign policy since 9/11 with the question of national security gaining importance.
Iran has come under harsh criticism from USA. Iran remains defiant. the US Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice very firmly stated that Iran would not be allowed to develop nuclear devices because it would
totally change the contour of the Middle-East that the US would not wish to see nor would it allow to happen. China and Russia will not support any move that intends to punish Iran.
Meanwhile, there was a startling disclosure about Britain helping Israel in building its nuclear arsenal way back in 1960. This was reported by the BBC Thursday evening. Britain is also opposed to Iran building its nuclear arms. The US concern about Iran developing its nuclear power is because it feels a nuclear Iran be will a threat to Israel's security.
The US suffered a strong diplomatic rebuff from China. The state department has rebuked China for its poor human and civil rights records. China asked US to reflect upon its own record before accusing others. The US has arrogated to itself the right to dictate all the nations of the world. The US takes acquiescence of other countries for granted.
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