Posted on 05/07/2005 7:47:45 PM PDT by Marine_Uncle
Edited on 05/08/2005 12:51:38 AM PDT by Sidebar Moderator. [history]
A year ago last month, in Egypt, a group of more than 100 Arab scholars, ambassadors and political leaders signed the "Alexandria Declaration," an ambitious agenda for political, economic, legislative and institutional change designed to help Arab societies move "towards building concrete and genuine democratic systems." In the 13 months since the declaration was signed, the world has witnessed successful elections in Iraq, widespread pro-democracy demonstrations in Lebanon, municipal elections in Saudi Arabia and constitutional reform in Egypt. (The latter two are widely viewed as transparent attempts to alleviate U.S. criticism.)
Add to these developments last October's free elections in Afghanistan and the continued democratic rumblings among the young people of Iran, and it appears that the Alexandria statement -- combined with the Bush administration's unwavering commitment to a democratic Middle East -- may have started a trend. Until, that is, you talk to the signatories.
Indeed, attendees of a recent meeting marking the first anniversary of the Alexandria Declaration expressed disappointment with the pace of reform in the Arab world, pointing to the continued stranglehold on power wielded by autocrats from Damascus to Algiers.
A progress report on the Alexandria Declaration presented at the meeting reported a "lack of commitment to speeding up reform" among Arab nations and concluded that the original statement offered "little in the way of realizable plans." But despite its disappointing content, this statement was, in a way, refreshing -- indeed, such calls for democratic reform usually come from outside the Arab world and are not delivered so sharply from within. The reasons for this and for the overall freedom deficit in Arab nations deserve greater scrutiny. But such a discussion is not easily triggered due to the propensity of many in the Arab world to pass blame onto Israel and "Western imperialism." An example is the UN-sponsored Arab Human Development Report (AHDR), released last week.
The report is the third installment of an annual series produced by a group of Arab scholars and intellectuals. The first report, published in 2002, caused a stir in the Arab world when it outlined how the region was falling behind in development. The second report criticized an "Arab knowledge deficit" in contrast to the rest of the world. The latest installment, much like the Alexandria Declaration, focuses on the lack of freedom and democratization in the Arab world. But unlike the statement crafted in Alexandria, the AHDR report cited the creation of Israel in 1948 as a major reason for the lack of political and economic freedom and human rights in the Arab world, and chastised the U.S. for supporting Israel and occupying Iraq, among other supposed transgressions.
The AHDR's shameless scapegoating of the United States and Israel is particularly disappointing given that other sections of the report were actually on point in their assessments. For example, the report refers to increased talk of reform in the Middle East as "real and promising," but warns that it is not enough "to dispel the established environment of repression" in Arab countries.
As for Saudi Arabia's recent municipal elections, the report rightly brands them "cosmetic and superficial" and "calculated." The report also suggests a "peaceful negotiation on the redistribution of power in Arab countries" (which it calls "Izdihar") as the ideal way to speed up the reform process.
Both the AHDR and Alexandria statements assert that Arab rulers are doing little to cultivate democratic reform aside from making hollow promises. But while the AHDR warns Arab rulers of "change forced by outsiders," the fact remains that Arab reformers -- who are working, often at great risk, to bring freedom from within -- have had little success thus far in terms of results. Indeed, the very "outsider" the AHDR refers to -- the United States -- is the only country with any real track record of bringing freedom to Arab and Muslim lands. The fact that prominent Arabs are beginning to talk openly about the urgent need for reform is undoubtedly a positive development. And yet the Alexandria Declaration and the AHDR--while sharing many of the same conclusions -- ultimately represent two vastly different takes on how the Arab world became what it is, and how it can move forward. Until Arab reformers find some even ground and begin to affect real change from within, the "outside influences" that many of them so disdain must continue to play a vital role in helping to open Arab societies and put the reform discussion on the table.
" But unlike the statement crafted in Alexandria, the AHDR report cited the creation of Israel in 1948 as a major reason for the lack of political and economic freedom and human rights in the Arab world, and chastised the U.S. for supporting Israel and occupying Iraq, among other supposed transgressions."
They always need a scapegoat. Can't hack the realities of how screwed up they really are. No mention that the super rich oil producing Arab nations do not help the Muslim countries that have little. No it is the fault of America and Israel. That is embedded within their stupid skulls.
"And they hate paragraph breaks - they always scapegoat the Jews for stealing their paragraph breaks..."
Damn it. I'm sorry. This is not the first time the article's I have posted from them turn out like a block of black. The article was loaded with paragraphs at their web page.
Hey Uncle,You are right about the Arabs,they always blame someone.Semper Fi
If in competition with the US Senate for carrying beyond words, my money's on the damned arabs.
"Hey Uncle,You are right about the Arabs,they always blame someone.Semper Fi"
Many of us have nothing but harsh critical words to direct toward Arabs and Muslims in general. But the sad fact as you well understand, the majority of them are so backward and brainwashed they have no alternative in their psychic make up.
The pop out of the hatch and are whined on hatred and misinformation. For some of us that know Arabs that have escaped to the USA and are educated, it is a different story, they have seen the light in many cases and can view even more clearly the huge differences in cultures from a different perspective then those living in those lands of misery. Sad. But that is the way it is. Sara never should have asked for Abraham to go in on Hagar. That was the start of it all, basically.
Semper Fi.
"If in competition with the US Senate for carrying beyond words, my money's on the damned arabs."
Time will tell who will manifest any real progress in those lands. They need our help, but they must be willing to help themselves. Yea. Interesting note If I understand your statememt correctly. The Senates all talk, littel action, except if it involves a pay raise for them, whereas in three short months the Iraqi's have actually reached a decision as who to vote for tommorow from the list prepared. Same thing to get down here would take a few years!
Thanks for serving I Cav.
You too in your capacities. And thanks to your nephew!
Damn me, I worked in television for twenty years.
Until I finally got laid off and now work for an oil company.
Which do you think I love?
"Damn me, I worked in television for twenty years. Until I finally got laid off and now work for an oil company. Which do you think I love?"
Guess it depends if the oil co. gives you free vouchers to fill your tank up each day!
hang tight.
Well, not exactly. But the satisfaction, at least, of knowing that without our supply, the cost would be even higher.
And we're lobbying for more domestic development and refinery capacity.
"And we're lobbying for more domestic development and refinery capacity."
Hope your efforts are a success. Obviously the economy is being put under strain with the high prices, and those that are low income and small business are in the same boat.
Isn't this like the joke about excuses--everyones got one and they all smell like poop?
"Isn't this like the joke about excuses--everyones got one and they all smell like poop?"
Yea. In this case, many of them do smell like poop or worse!
No wonder spices and fragrances are so priced in the mid-east.
If one is rolling around with a camel all day long and it squirts yea down a bit, water solids anyone,,, pee you.......and you haven't taken a bath in the past sixty years.............ha ha. Sad taint it!
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