Basic HTML Version
AUnited States
of ArabNations
Can
it
Become
a
The constitution
of
the Federation
of
three Arab Republics went to
a vote before the Egyptian, Syrian
and
Libyan peoples September l .
The vote was almost lOO
percent
in favor
of
Federation . The
ques–
tion
is:
"Can
it last?" Syria has
amassed
at least nine
coups
d'etat
in twenty-five years
andas
many
unsuccessful
attempts. Libya's new
government is barely celebrating its
second
anniversary alter the
overthrow
of
the monarchy. And Egypt has recently
suffered
its
most serious political upheaval in two
decades.
by
Raouf El Gamma!
F
OR DECADES,
the vision of a unified
nation from the Atlantic Ocean to
the Persian Gulf has tantalized
the leaders of the Arab world.
The personification of this dream was
the late Egyptian President Gamal
Abdel Nasser. He envisioned a Union
of Arab states - 120 million strong
and sharing a common language and
religion - as a powerful force in wodd
affairs. And iodeed it could be. These
nations sit astride the strategic under–
belly of the world. They also possess
tremeodous reserves of "black gold" -
precious oil that runs the world's in–
dustry. Also they sit astride critica! trade
and access routes.
Attempts at Unity
Since World War U, attempts have
been made to unite at least sorne of the
spirited nations of the Arab world.
In
1958, Egypt and Syria federated as the
United Arab Republic. Yemen joined
later. The Union was dissolved after
three years. In 1963, Egypt, Syria and
Jraq signed a pact as a first step toward
unification. The agreement collapsed
within a month. Finally in 1964, Iraq,
Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan and Syria
announced the formation of an Arab
Common Market. It never carne to pass.
Once again a
potentiat
giant in the
Arab world is in the making. The re–
cent Federation between Egypt, Syria
and Libya forms a new nation which
covers an area of 1,137,522 square
miles with a population of approxi–
mately 43 million. It possesses one third
the area of the U. S. and one fifth its
population.
The Sudan was one of tbe original
countries whicb signed the Trípoli
Charter, the .first step toward the Fed–
eration. Later the Sudan decided to
postpone its entry. It was still in the
process of establishing its political orga–
nizations and building up the state.
Sorne sources have reported that the
other member nations insisted that the
Sudan clean
up
its Communist elements
before it joined the Federation.
Sudanese President Numeiry imme–
diately launched a campaign outlawing
the Communist party and sacking bis
deputy Premier, known to be a Commu–
nist sympathizer. A coup d'etat in July
turned the tables and ousted Numeiry,
placing him under arrest. Three days
later a
cotmter coup
launched by
Numeiry's supporters reinstated Numeiry
as Head of State.
It
is now likely that Numeiry will
once and for al! remove Communist
anti-Federation opposition.
If
the Sudan joins, which appears