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| US not keeping Arabs aware of its plans |
| 2004-02-11 |
| The United States has kept most Arab governments in the dark about its plans for the Middle East, now taking shape under the title of the Greater Middle East Initiative, Arab diplomats and officials said on Tuesday. Worried, are you? The way Washington has handled the initiative so far has added to Arab feeling that the Bush administration is planning a future for the region behind their backs, they said. Bwahahaha! US officials say they want European support for the initiative in readiness to announce it in June when the Group of Eight leaders hold their annual summit, hosted this year by US President Bush at Sea Island, Georgia. We’d like European support, but we don’t expect it. Arab governments have read about the proposals from the media or through public statements by US officials, though US Secretary of State Colin Powell did discuss them on Monday with Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad of Bahrain. Memo to Arab governments: Read Rantburg, Rummy posts his plans here all the time under a assumed name. "The Arab leaders feel their future is on the table at a time when they themselves are not sitting around that table. They find that rather disturbing," said one Arab diplomat, who asked not to be named. We asked you to come to the table, but you said no. "Whenever a group of countries is being talked about or having their future planned for them, without them being consulted, that’s not something that people would accept whole-heartedly. In fact, quite the contrary," said another Arab official, who also asked not to be named. Kind of like how Israel feels having their future discussed by the Arab League. How’s it feel? The Middle East initiative is an extension of the Bush administration’s campaign for democracy in the Middle East, seen by many in the region as an insincere distraction from the Arab priorities — an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to the US-led occupation of Iraq. They still don’t see it’s all connected. Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri said on Tuesday that the gravest part of the US initiative was that the Arabs were not part of it so far. "The Arab nation and its leaders must know what’s being planned, so they can take the appropriate position," he told reporters here. The appropriate position is hands on the wall, feet back and spread. Oh, and don’t make any fast moves. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal told a news conference it would be hard to apply one set of standards in a region with many diverse countries. "We do not have a clear picture of the project of the political, security and economic aspect of it. I would have to hear the details first," the minister added. "Then I can refuse properly" A senior Arab official, who asked not to be named, said the trouble with US policies is they ignore what he called ‘regional factors’. "Their compass is set on US and Israeli interests," he said. We don’t use compasses much any more, we use GPS. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said this week that Egypt had not received an official notification of the US initiative. "I’m sure they will have to consult with us at some stage," said an Egyptian official. "Hi, I’m with the 1st AD. Where do you want your remains sent?" The Arab League, the main regional organisation, has repeatedly said it wants dialogue with the US and Europe and was willing to consider any of their proposals. "We think of ourselves as the right address but so far nothing has materialised," said an Arab League official. Keep looking over your shoulder. Arab intellectuals, even those who favour drastic political reforms, are suspicious of US intentions. They also say that due to Arab criticism towards US foreign policy, the democracy campaign may be counter-productive, complicating the reform efforts of domestic liberals. "It’s becoming increasingly embarrassing for people to champion the cause of democracy inside Egypt because so often it looks like they are jumping on the bandwagon of the United States," said Walid Kazziha, professor of political science at the American University of Cairo. Seen any other examples of democracy in the region? Besides Israel, I mean. Didn’t think so. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #7 "...has added to Arab feeling that the Bush administration is planning a future for the region behind their backs..." The really sweet part is that it is actually being done right in their faces! BWAHahahahahaha hahahahahaha ha ha FWAHahahahaha (...I have to wipe a tear...) HAhahahahaha |
| Posted by: Hyper 2004-2-11 9:13:45 PM |
#6 The United States has kept most Arab governments in the dark about its plans for the Middle East I find this immensely reassuring: it means that most of them are considered targets. Let's get this damned election over with, so we can get on with the job... |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2004-2-11 5:59:20 PM |
| #5 "they are jumping on the bandwagon of the United States," said Walid Kazziha, professor of political science at the American University of Cairo." Yes. We can start with spelling. It is called A-m-e-r-i-c-a-n U-n-i-v-e-r-s-i-t-y. Got that, professor sir? Must be something in the water at facilities of higher education. |
| Posted by: john 2004-2-11 3:35:34 PM |
| #4 Arab intellectuals, even those who favour drastic political reforms, are suspicious of US intentions. They also say that due to Arab criticism towards US foreign policy, the democracy campaign may be counter-productive, complicating the reform efforts of domestic liberals. "It’s becoming increasingly embarrassing for people to champion the cause of democracy inside Egypt because so often it looks like they are jumping on the bandwagon of the United States," said Walid Kazziha, professor of political science at the American University of Cairo. Because, like it or not, the U.S. is the model. If that thought is so terrifying, then fine, keep your corrupt Arab kleptocracies intact, and keep on seething in your own miseries. Just make sure that when you decide to engage in an orgy of killing in an attempt to make yourselves feel better about your pathetic lives, you kill YOUR OWN COUNTRYMEN, and leave everybody else alone. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2004-2-11 1:13:21 PM |
| #3 Ixnay, Steverino... |
| Posted by: mojo 2004-2-11 11:38:53 AM |
| #2 wow, sounds like the Arab diplomats might start seething! I'll certainly lose sleep over that |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-2-11 11:06:43 AM |
| #1 Wonder what will happen when they get wind of |
| Posted by: N Guard 2004-2-11 10:01:54 AM |