A shade of pale
Sunday, 6 June 2010
Mahmudur Rahman
Between fact and faction there is a huge area generally described as being the 'grey zone', that depending on the intensity can be lighter or darker. The politicians would like such areas to exist as it supports the required secrecy of policy at formulation stage; the diplomat would like such areas to always continue for it allows them to proceed with the machinations that contribute to the world being what they want it to be. But once in a while, the carefully designed veil of subterfuge created by the human brain can result in a hiccup that converts into a burp audible enough for the thin fabric to be disturbed. For all the well thought out plans and strategies, none has been conceived to address the simple deviant factor; human fallibility.
Eight years ago there was huge controversy over the role of the media in reporting on the Jenin incident. To this day, the 'official' casualty figures of 52, including 23 Israeli soldiers suggests that the matter was 'overdramatised' by the media. The views of the people of the Jenin refugee camp were heard only for a short-while that too until the media had something new to focus on. That's the way of the world. The individual left to lick his wounds and glance heavenwards for retribution or justice.
The assassination of Hamas leader Mahmoud-al-Mahbhouh in Dubai, allegedly masterminded by Mossad in January this year has turned out to be the hiccup that turned into a burp. The UAE has positioned itself as a sort of gateway rather than a harbourer for all types of interests and is deeply embarrassed by such an incident. The findings of its investigations that British, German and now Australian these Mossad agents into Dubai (UAE does not allow Israelis entry) has caused repercussions of a different kind.
The British, acting in their quite way moved to expel an Israeli diplomat. The Australians now have done something similar with their foreign minister Steven Smith describing is as "not the act of a friend".
Israel has maintained there is no proof it was behind the assassination and said in a carefully worded statement, "It does not reflect the importance and the quality of our relationships". The key words in this paragraph are 'proof' and 'quality'. The word 'proof' suggests that there is no denial of involvement and challenges otherwise. The word 'quality' suggests that the bigger picture is on a different plane. Australia's own opposition have rubbished the Israeli involvement and suggested the government's approach has been to appease middle-eastern concerns in view of its aspirations to the UN Security Council elections. Nor can Australia be oblivious to the enormous economic issues that could come under the microscope. In the coming days, the results or none thereof in the international investigations may throw a lot more light on the matter. By that time, a scapegoat will have been identified, counselled, re-established and confident PR spin put in place. That's when the 'grey areas' take on a shade of pale. (The writer is a former Head of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs of British American Tobacco Bangladesh, former Chief Executive Officer or CEO of Bangladesh Cricket Board and specializes in corporate affairs, communications and corporate social responsibility. He can be reached at e-mail: mahmudrahman@gmail.com)
Between fact and faction there is a huge area generally described as being the 'grey zone', that depending on the intensity can be lighter or darker. The politicians would like such areas to exist as it supports the required secrecy of policy at formulation stage; the diplomat would like such areas to always continue for it allows them to proceed with the machinations that contribute to the world being what they want it to be. But once in a while, the carefully designed veil of subterfuge created by the human brain can result in a hiccup that converts into a burp audible enough for the thin fabric to be disturbed. For all the well thought out plans and strategies, none has been conceived to address the simple deviant factor; human fallibility.
Eight years ago there was huge controversy over the role of the media in reporting on the Jenin incident. To this day, the 'official' casualty figures of 52, including 23 Israeli soldiers suggests that the matter was 'overdramatised' by the media. The views of the people of the Jenin refugee camp were heard only for a short-while that too until the media had something new to focus on. That's the way of the world. The individual left to lick his wounds and glance heavenwards for retribution or justice.
The assassination of Hamas leader Mahmoud-al-Mahbhouh in Dubai, allegedly masterminded by Mossad in January this year has turned out to be the hiccup that turned into a burp. The UAE has positioned itself as a sort of gateway rather than a harbourer for all types of interests and is deeply embarrassed by such an incident. The findings of its investigations that British, German and now Australian these Mossad agents into Dubai (UAE does not allow Israelis entry) has caused repercussions of a different kind.
The British, acting in their quite way moved to expel an Israeli diplomat. The Australians now have done something similar with their foreign minister Steven Smith describing is as "not the act of a friend".
Israel has maintained there is no proof it was behind the assassination and said in a carefully worded statement, "It does not reflect the importance and the quality of our relationships". The key words in this paragraph are 'proof' and 'quality'. The word 'proof' suggests that there is no denial of involvement and challenges otherwise. The word 'quality' suggests that the bigger picture is on a different plane. Australia's own opposition have rubbished the Israeli involvement and suggested the government's approach has been to appease middle-eastern concerns in view of its aspirations to the UN Security Council elections. Nor can Australia be oblivious to the enormous economic issues that could come under the microscope. In the coming days, the results or none thereof in the international investigations may throw a lot more light on the matter. By that time, a scapegoat will have been identified, counselled, re-established and confident PR spin put in place. That's when the 'grey areas' take on a shade of pale. (The writer is a former Head of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs of British American Tobacco Bangladesh, former Chief Executive Officer or CEO of Bangladesh Cricket Board and specializes in corporate affairs, communications and corporate social responsibility. He can be reached at e-mail: mahmudrahman@gmail.com)