Newsletter No. 438
News-Analysis
November 13, 2006

 

The following newsletter has been contributed by Keely Fahoum (Shingetsu Member No. 112). Fahoum is based at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

JAPANESE SPECIAL ENVOY MEETS WITH SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO DISCUSS SYRIA’S ROLE AS PEACE BROKER IN THE LEVANT

Japanese special envoy to the Middle East, Dr. Tatsuo Arima, visited Damascus last week to meet with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem and discuss the recent spike in violence within the Occupied Territories, as well as assessing Syria’s role as peacemaker within the region. Al-Mouallem cited an escalation of Israel’s “crimes in the Palestinian territories”* as evidence that the international community has been delinquent in its responsibilities to promote and maintain regional security and stability. The Syrian foreign minister also discussed the necessity for a unified effort to pursue a just and comprehensive peace between Israel and Palestine. While acknowledging the rise in violence between Israelis and Palestinians, Arima emphasized Syria’s potential as a peacemaker in the region and encouraged al-Mouallem to assert Syria’s influence in creating stability among the states of the Levant region. Arima commented that the talks had been “fruitful and constructive,” and efforts had begun to foster a bilateral relationship between Syria and Japan.

Although Japan has consistently supported a move to create a long-lasting and just peace between Palestinians and Israelis, the visit to Syria comes at a highly sensitive time in the Levantine region. The peace agreement between Lebanon and Israel is showing major signs of stress, and with the recent resignation of Hizballah and Amal politicians from the Lebanese parliament, the political body has hit a significant roadblock in forming a unity government. Arima’s attempts to emphasize a leadership role for Syria in future regional peace efforts shows that Japanese policy strategists understand any comprehensive regional peace process must incorporate Syria, which has historically carried the torch for Arab nationalism and unity within the Levant. Although the U.S. is unable to orchestrate open talks with Syria due to public blustering over their alleged support of Hezbollah and controversial alliance with Iran, Japan has constructed a credible and productive relationship with the country that could prove fruitful in future efforts to assemble a multi-lateral peace effort in the region. Although not an Arab state, Japan fills the “honest broker gap” which has been vacated by the U.S., and which could have positive long-lasting implications for stability and security in the region.

*Quotes extracted from SANA articles dated 9-10 November 2006.