Hafez al-Assad, President of Syria
Brothers of the Arab world,
On this holy day, we celebrate the birth of Ibrahim and Isa, fathers of two faiths and prophets within Islam. It is an auspicious day, for those men were not merely born of our sacred land, but have laid down, alongside the Khatam an-Nabiyyin, the tenets which have guided the glorious Arab people throughout their history. Was it not Ibrahim, the builder of the Ka'bah, who proved the willingness of the people of God to sacrifice in the name of what is right and holy, as the Arab nation has done time and again? Was it not Christ who demonstrated charity to the needful and wrath to the greedy, just as our own states fight righteously against imperialism?
I could go on, my friends, but I am a soldier in the cause of our renaissance, not an orator. I, Hafez al-Assad, know only this. We, the Arab people, having thrown off the first shackles of Western colonialism, have embarked on a sacred battle against the forces of evil. We have stumbled, I will admit, but have risen again. Let us throw the words so often hurled at us back in the faces of our adversaries, and pledge only this: Never again.
Never again, I say! For we have returned despite all setbacks to proclaim, once more, that a path towards the Paradise of Arab liberty has been found. I propose, alongside my comrades and blood brothers of Libya and Egypt, that we begin our voyage anew, and begin it by declaring our people to be one Commonwealth.
CHARTER OF THE ARAB COMMONWEALTH
In the name of the Arab people, the unity of their nation, and the God of their faiths, we the undersigned, joined as we are in the spirit of the Arab re-awakening and undeterred by the mark left on our sacred lands by colonialism, henceforth declare ourselves to be bound together inn an inseparable Arab Commonwealth. Let this be our charter, and let our every word honor the single nation of the Arabs.
I: The signatories declare their eternal friendship and brotherhood as states within a greater Arab nation, and vow on the holiest books of their faiths to never waver in their commitment towards transitioning to a unified Arab world. They further uphold the League of Arab States as an ally and a necessity in the cause of unity, and promise in the name of the fallen martyrs to maintain friendly relations with all members of the League.
II: The signatories pledge themselves forthwith to the mutual defense and aid of each other from all attackers, and declare their commitment to the liberation of the Arab world from imperialism and Zionism, reaffirming that there will be no recognition of Israel, nor peace or negotiations as long as a single Palestinian remains unfree.
Iia: The signatories recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization and all subsidiary organizations as the legitimate governing body of the Palestinian people, and swears itself to the defense and friendship of that organization until such a time as the Arabs of all lands are bound in unity.
III: Each signatory state consents to the establishment of a Unified Political Command dedicated to the organization of the Arab Commonwealth, consisting of a delegation of each state's head of government, as well as the ministers of defense and economic planning. Membership within the Commonwealth shall be based on a successful referendum and the approval of all signatory nations, as well as a pledge to uphold the below qualifications.
IV: The leadership of the Unified Political Command will be tripartite and elected on a two-year basis, with a General-Secretary designated as spokesman and organizational head of the body, a Development Secretary in charge of the financial and mutual aid projects, and a Chief of the Joint Military Board for the coordination of defensive measures.
IVa: Within six months, the Unified Political Command will integrate an Arab Commonwealth Council, consisting of not more than three elected delegates from each nation to ratify and approve further amendments and efforts at Arab unity.
V: The defense ministers within the Unified Political Command shall consent to a policy of general cooperation and exchange, with boards devoted to intelligence, research, and internal security to be immediately created after the commitment of (25 credits) by each member state.
VI: The Development Secretary and his brothers within the Unified Political Command shall immediately embark on the creation of an Arab Commonwealth Development Board, funded by the commitment of an additional (25 credits) to the organization. This body will be tasked first with the unification of aviation and rail infrastructure between the states of the Commonwealth, under a jointly-owned state corporation.
VIa: Where not presently nationalized, member states will accede to the nationalization of aviation and rail infrastructure before signing this declaration.
VII: Within a year, the Development Secretary shall organize the creation of an Arab Commonwealth Monetary Fund to standardize financial policy, and provide just and equitable advice, as well as financial aid, to Arab states in need. This will be funded by further contributions from member states, and will also be tasked with the eventual adoption of a single, standard currency between member states.
VIII: As per the initial funding of the Development Board, all signatory states will move within six months to adopt a free trade policy and customs union within the Commonwealth, and pending completion of this project, meet to establish a policy on the creation of a single market within the Commonwealth.
VIIIa: The Commonwealth will move immediately to approach friendly states within the Arab League to sign a free trade policy with the Development Board.
IX: The Development Board will pursue, within a year, the creation of an Initiative for Arab Energy, to regulate the import, export, and development of the energy industry within the Commonwealth, and to pursue a goal of independence from foreign powers as pertains to the global energy trade.
X: The Unified Political Command, under the General-Secretary, will move within a year to create an Arab Cultural and Religious Forum, to promote tolerance within member states as well as Pan-Arab ideals, and be given authorization to legislate the exchange of cultural and intellectual ideas between Commonwealth nations, as well as endeavors in the arts, sciences, and athletics.
XI: The Unified Political Command will coordinate the adoption of a Commonwealth Federation of Arab Unions, consisting of legitimate labor unions within the signatory states, to advocate within the Commonwealth and signatory states for a Pan-Arab labor charter and the unity of all Arab workers. The Unified Political Command will likewise coordinate the adoption of a Commonwealth Federation of Arab Students, for similar ends as pertains to legitimate youth movements and student organizations.
Signed in Damascus, on this day 25 Dhu'l-Qi'dah, 1391 AH
12 January 1972
