25 - 31 October 2001
Issue No.557
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 25 - 31 October 2001 Issue No.557 |
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Strengthening bridges
Ties linking Arab-Americans to the Arab world are strengthening. Dina Ezzat reports
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa's week-long visit to the US has given a higher profile to Arab relations with Arab-Americans and Arab-Americans' perspectives on US foreign policy. Moussa returns to Cairo today after having met delegations representing the Arab-American community, US Secretary of State Colin Powell, and other US administration and Congress figures. The key topic discussed was Arab-Americans, with references to the current situation in the Middle East and the war against international terrorism.
In a speech delivered before a gathering of Arab-Americans in Washington, Moussa stressed the role of Arab-Americans "as a bridge rather than a divide" between the Arab world and America. He argued that American society should benefit from the unique role Arab-Americans could play, since nobody, Americans included, can afford to talk about clashes of civilisations any longer.
"The Arab-American community shares responsibility with both the Arab world and America for mending the tears between the Western and Middle Eastern components of the fabric of civilisations," Moussa said.
The Arab League secretary-general said, "We followed with dismay and regret the acts committed against Arabs, Muslims and Arab-Americans in the United States." He told Arab- Americans that their "protection, safety and advancement are of concern to all of us" in the Arab world. While praising the US administration for its stand "in upholding the rights of Arab and Muslim Americans against the forces of discrimination," Moussa stressed that the Arab League intends to follow carefully any complaints made by Arab-Americans. According to Moussa, the Arab League also intends "to work with Arab-Americans to hold an Arab-American conference towards the end of 2002." This conference will address existing and potential cooperation and strategic interests between America and the Arab world. "I believe this conference will serve as a springboard for the greater involvement of the Arab-American community, with the aim of advancing cooperation in all fields between America and the Arab world," Moussa said.
Moussa's message was welcomed by Arab-Americans. "This is a good first step towards strengthening bridges with Arab-Americans," commented Nihad Awad, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a body that has thousands of Arab-American members. According to Awad, "Moussa's visit was a sign of support and a reminder that Arab-Americans are not forgotten." He added that the visit was also important because "the Arab League perspective badly needs to be shared by US officials," not only in relation to the rights and interests of Arab-Americans but also in relation to the situation in the Middle East and the war against Afghanistan. On these two issues, Arab-Americans are struggling to have their say, in the face of opposition from "obvious special interest groups," said Awad.
Moussa addressed those two issues - the Middle East and the war against Afghanistan - during talks with senior officials from the US administration and members of Congress. The message was clear: resolving the conflict in the Middle East and ensuring the "durable peace and sustainable development of Afghanistan" was the way ahead.
On the Middle East, Moussa reiterated that the best, if not the only way to stop terrorists hiding behind legitimate causes and gaining sympathy is to reach a just, comprehensive and peaceful settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, and the principle of land for peace.
Moussa praised President Bush's declaration that the Palestinians have the right to a state as an important step towards peace. But he warned that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's policies of political assassination and military incursions into Palestinian territories undermined the credibility of the Bush statement of intentions.
On Afghanistan, Moussa urged an end to military action, the protection of civilians and amelioration of the plight of refugees. "We, the international community, have to focus on rebuilding and reconstructing the country, to provide Afghans with hope for a better tomorrow," he said.
"Frustration, despair and anger are sentiments which, if unchecked, can be channelled into destructive acts," Moussa said.
He is planning another round of meetings with Arab- Americans and US officials next month on sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.
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