24 - 30 January 2002
Issue No.570
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 24 - 30 January 2002 Issue No.570 |
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Listening to the Other
A stalled peace process and the US-led "war on terror" are the biggest challenges to Egyptian-US relations. Soha Abdelaty reports
While Egypt and the US work hard to maintain friendly ties, they do not always see eye to eye. On one side sits an Arab regional power, on the other the world's superpower -- and their views on the Middle East often diverge. Not only must Cairo constantly argue its case to US administrations, but it also needs to persuade Congress, the Senate, the US media and the general public of its views. And so it has become a diplomatic priority to establish direct contact with people in those circles, hand in hand with the slow-moving strategic dialogue which began between the two capitals during former US President Bill Clinton's second term.
For years, during annual or bi-annual visits to Washington, President Hosni Mubarak's schedule was packed with meetings with members of the administration, congress, the business world, think-tanks and the local media. Those meetings aimed to present an Egyptian and Arab perspective on various issues.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher, whose last foreign posting was as Egyptian ambassador to Washington (1992-1997), has visited the US three times since he took over as foreign minister in May of last year.
At the same time, and in an attempt to dispel stereotypes and air Arab views, Cairo is always willing to receive US delegations and envoys, as seen in numerous visits by American legislators over the past three weeks.
Nonetheless, differences continue to emerge between the two sides, especially since the 11 September attacks in the US and continued intransigence by Israel in the peace process. For example, Egypt's "understanding" of why Palestinian suicide bombings happen, diverges wildly from majority opinion in the US, which labels such acts "terrorist."
"Egypt puts a high priority on its support for Palestinian rights," argues veteran diplomat Tahsin Bashir, "which sometimes causes problems for Egypt." Bashir told Al- Ahram Weekly that Egypt's argument that Palestinians have the right to defend themselves makes American politicians and public opinion wary. He added that images of Egypt and the Arabs have become even more distorted since the 11 September attacks in the US. "In an atmosphere where terrorism is so emotionally condemned, [Israeli Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon has ridden the wave," in an effort to convince American public opinion that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat is the Israel's Osama Bin Laden, commented Bashir.
These issues, argues Robert Pelletreau, former assistant secretary of state for near east affairs and former ambassador to Egypt, arise when American-Egyptian relations are discussed in Congress. "These things have caused a certain amount of questioning and concern in the United States, especially as Egyptian nationals were involved in the 11 September terrorist attacks," he told the Weekly. Pelletreau added that there have been questions "about the attitudes that are reflected in the Egyptian press that have been hostile to the United States."
To further complicate matters, many contend that Congress has been won over by the Jewish lobby, which has a stronger presence and network in US corridors of power. "The Jewish community in the United States is very politicised; it participates fully in our political system and is well- organised," notes Pelletreau. "The Arab- American community is less well-organised and more diverse, and has not been traditionally as politically active," he added. Nevertheless, Pelletreau also argues that "the system of government in the United States is open to its citizens, so there's more that the Arab-American community could do to bring its views to the attention of members of Congress, and to participate actively in the American political process."
Maher agrees with this view, expressing his belief that the Arab-American lobby in the US has "to be part of the American political game and influence the congressional and senate elections just as the Jewish lobby does." Speaking on Monday at the annual Book Fair, Maher said, "The Arab Americans have a responsibility to unify their voices. They have always been divided and thus they could not be effective." Maher concluded that "if the American positions are biased...a big part of it can be attributed to the weak voices of the Arabs in the US."
Officials from both sides, however, continue to reassure Egyptian and American public opinion that relations between the two countries remain strong.
According to Pelletreau, "The Egyptian- American official relationship and level of understanding is very good. But that has not been fully reflected either in Congress or general public opinion, and certainly not in the media." This point is acknowledged at the highest levels in Cairo. Mubarak said on Monday that relations with Washington were "strategic and excellent," despite criticism of Egyptian policies from "a certain lobby" which wants Egypt to "tow the line."
So how successful have Egypt's efforts been to alter views in the US? Maher insists that continued contacts are "useful," but that the burden lies with Egypt to change misconceptions in American public opinion. Pelletreau agrees, saying that such efforts bore fruit when "several congressional delegations during this congressional recess visited Cairo and met directly with Egypt's leaders."
"One of the main problems is that Egypt does not project enough of the positive sides of Egyptian society," Maher remarked. "We allow those who have an interest in ruining the relationship to speak loudly."
Bashir, however, believes that Egypt's impact will be small. "Our media do not penetrate the US, and our diplomatic and political activities with the American people are [minimal]," he argues.
Due to strategic concerns, he concluded, the security of Israel is the main concern of American decision-makers and they will not listen to any opinion that could threaten that. "The Palestinians have a noble cause," observed Bashir, but the problem is that Egypt and the Arab world "don't know how to defend it correctly."
This, however, does not mean that Egypt should abandon all its efforts. "I think that Egypt should welcome all those who come, and encourage others to come. This will have a positive ripple effect in Congress," noted Pelletreau. He also advised that the Egyptian embassy in Washington "keep in touch" with US legislators who have visited Egypt, and continue to provide them with up-to-date information and views. He also suggested that Cairo take the initiative in inviting more American public figures to visit the region to hear Arab perspectives first hand.
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