Look Who's Talking (Arabs thinking about Democracy)

NYTimes ^ | February 19, 2004 | THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN

[XHogPilot]

One major criticism of the Iraq war is that by invading Iraq, the U.S. actually created more enemies in the Arab-Muslim world. I don't happen to believe that, but maybe it's true. What the critics miss, though, is that the U.S. ouster of Saddam Hussein has also triggered the first real "conversation" about political reform in the Arab world in a long, long time. It's still mostly in private, but more is now erupting in public. For this conversation to be translated into broad political change requires a decent political outcome in Iraq. But even without that, something is stirring.
/snip

Abd al-Hamid al-Ansari, the former dean of Qatar University's law school, just published an essay, in London's widely read Arabic-language daily Al Sharq Al Awsat, which asks whether the world is better off because of the U.S. ouster of Saddam. Those who say it is worse off, he argues, see only half the picture.

"Let us imagine the world if America had listened to the French and German logic saying: Give the murderers of the Serbs and the Arabs a chance for a diplomatic solution. Would Bosnia, Kuwait and Iraq be liberated? Let us describe the situation of the Arabs, and especially of Iraq, had America listened to the European counsel that said: democracy is not suited to the Arabs, their culture is contrary to it. . . . See now how many countries are turning toward democracy. Even Afghanistan has a constitution. In Iraq [they are drafting] a new constitution and handing over the regime, and Libya has changed." (Translation by Memri.)
/snip

[XHogPilot]

Reuters reported from Damascus on Feb. 5 that a Syrian human rights group has started circulating a petition via the Internet — so far signed by about 1,000 people — calling for an end to state-of-emergency laws. It says: "We, the signatories, herein demand the Syrian authorities lift the state of emergency and annul all associated measures." Syria suddenly just freed over 100 political prisoners.

The walls of darkness are showing the strain....

[GulliverSwift]

btt

[hobson]

read later

[Uncle Miltie]

Tagline.

[jolie560]

The level of introspection in Islamic lands is rising.

It may not be enough to overcome the fanatics and their rule by the sword, and by suicide-bomber.

The US and others have made a good attempt--in Bosnia, Kuwait, Afghanistan and now Iraq. Our efforts are far better than the European plan to roll-over and be quiet.

That laissez-faire European attitude is what made Europe such a lousy and war-like place to live; and which is why so many Europeans ended up at Ellis Island.

Democracy may fail to take root in the ME; if so, it will not be because the USA rolled-over and was silent. We are giving it a fair chance to succeed.

Allah be willing, we will succeed.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

ping

[Mel Gibson]

Qatar in particular is very pro Western especially towards American since some French mercenaries tried to kill the Qatari ruler for Saudi Arabia less than 10 years ago. Keep in mind that the War against Iraq had it's command center based in Qatar.