28 March - 3 April 2002
Issue No.579
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 28 March - 3 April 2002 Issue No.579 |
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Voice for Arabs
Sir- I wonder why you continue bashing only the New York Times and CNN. Reading the New York papers, I think that the New York Times is the most pro-Palestine of any major US media. They even had an editorial outlining a lot of the Palestinian suffering, including most of the stories you outlined. I wonder why, after such a hostile Bush, Arabs still favour Republicans. Clinton only met an Israeli leader if it was followed with a visit from a Palestinian leader. He was even the first (and only) foreign leader to visit Gaza. Polls also suggest that Democrats understand the Palestinian cause much more than Republicans.
I know your job is not to argue US politics, but it has been bothering me for a long time. I have a solution to the PR failure in America: why not open a Voice of the Arab World, paid for by rich Arab and Muslim countries or private means, to educate the masses, endorse candidates for political office, make rallies, pay for ads and fight the American way. Just ask a civil rights activist from the '60s what works.
In the end I want to identify myself: I am an Orthodox Jew supporting the Palestinian cause and denounce Israeli cruelties. (www.jewsnotzionists.org)
Chaim Rolnitzky
New York, New York
US
Diffuse Said
Sir- I read the article by Edward Said -- "What price Oslo" (Al-Ahram Weekly, 14-20 March). What a powerful article. It should published all over the world.
Mohamed Abdel-Hamid
Cambridge
Canada
Publish elsewhere
Sir- Without any disrespect to Al-Ahram Weekly, which I read regularly online and enjoy, I wish I could have read Edward Said's latest column, "What price Oslo" (Al-Ahram Weekly, 14-20 March) in an American newspaper.
Any American newspaper.
Peter Grimsditch
Montreal
Canada
Someone explain
Sir- I am a Muslim born in Britain. I am not radical or extreme in any way. I love England, the place I call home although I am of Indo Asian descent.
The matter I would like to comment on is the Arab-Israeli conflict. I must be frank and tell you that I am in total awe of and have total respect for those poor souls who have endured so much physical and emotional oppression at the hands of Israel. In the face of such overwhelming hardship they remain defiant against such a brutal regime of terror administered by Mr Sharon and co.
There are certain things that I don't understand. Firstly, why does America openly endorse this oppression? Secondly, why do Muslim nations stand shoulder to shoulder with the sponsor of Israeli occupation? Thirdly, why is Israel doing to Palestinian people what Hitler did to them?
If you find time to answer any of these questions, I would be most appreciative.
Anjum Cheema
West Yorkshire
England
Free to offend
Sir- It is so refreshing finally to have a newspaper to read that truly expresses and exposes the plight of the Palestinian people. In my country the truth is often glossed over in order not to offend certain parties.
Thank you for the work that you and your staff do in putting together this wonderful publication.
Sandra Davis
Toronto
Canada
A different story
Sir- In your issue #577 (Al-Ahram Weekly, 14- 20 March). I read about a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Rome. I saw no mention of it in any other media. The BBC did not report it. Have you any idea why it was not reported anywhere else?
In Canada most of the press is owned by Issy Asper, a fanatical Zionist. In his newspapers there have been many of what I consider racist anti-Muslim and anti-Arab articles since 11 September that I find appalling.
I find out about the Intifada from yourself, Electronic Intifada, the BBC and other European media outlets. They all tell a very different story from what is reported in Canada.
We do not have freedom of the press. I believe Canada is worse than the US in that respect.
Jon Bryan
Calgary
Canada
Christian suffering
Sir- The picture of the Virgin Mary that figures on the front page of this week's Al-Ahram Weekly (21-27 March) is shocking and saddening. Nonetheless, its prominence is illustrative of a certain asymmetricality in the Arab world -- the fact that Arab Christians' suffering is only covered when Israel can serve as a convenient object of blame.
Where is the coverage, for instance, of the casual harassment suffered by many in Bethlehem at the hands of their Muslim neighbours, and by many Copts at the hands of their fellow Egyptians?
Benaiah Moses
Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Gangrened profits
Sir- George Bush, president of the US, praised liberalism as a motor for development at the recent summit in Monterey. He wants to stop underdevelopment by expanding the market and capitalism, as if they had not already proven incapable of mitigating the economic differences between rich and poor countries. The Bush administration will demand social investment in the countries that receive economic aid -- that is to say, money by results. It matters little, apparently, if those countries do not respect human rights or are not democratic regimes.
Days before Bush's statement in Monterey, the World Bank granted $40 million in aid to Uzbekistan, a loan destined to improve the water supply of two Uzbek cities, Samarkand and Bukhara. Just last year, the IMF and the World Bank closed their offices in Tashkent, the Uzbek capital, and today they are granting aid for its development. This former Soviet republic is one example of how a country with an authoritarian government receives loans and aid from international organisations, solely because has been decided to liberalise its market and encourage capitalism.
This reorientation in aid policy must also be attributed to the support Islam Karimov's regime offered Washington in the war on Afghanistan. Uzbekistan illustrates how the Bush administration's decision to grant aid to countries that foment capitalism can prop up authoritarian and repressive leaders like Karimov -- and never mind the human Rights.
The UN should demand that international donor organisations tie aid to democratisation and respect for human Rights. On the other hand, why should the US, reputedly the most democratic country in the world, consider the fulfilment of these universal principles indispensable? Within its own borders, after all, they are harmed with assiduity. And contrary to what George Bush thinks, the market is not the panacea of our time. It is, rather, the gangrene attacking the profits of our days.
Aitor Vieco
Barcelona
Spain
What can worse be?
Sir- I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment that Sharon "won't change his mind" and that the game will continue as usual. However, what will make matters worse is when the US has completed its Iraq campaign, the Netanyahu government will have returned to power and things will be much worse (who knows? Maybe we are not aware of what worse can be).
At that point probably the world will understand the futility of the so-called sincere efforts, much later than the Palestinians did. Unfortunately, the Palestinian people, courageous and unrelenting as they are in their struggle, are cursed -- with the leadership of Yasser Arafat. Anyway, things will never work for the Palestinians and apartheid will continue. In such a scenario, I think a sensible approach is all-out resistance and non-cooperation, which have worked in India and South Africa in the past.
How can diplomacy ever work with the Israeli governments? They are settler governments (Labour and Likud alike) and they will never abandon their policies (why should they? Those policies make up their electoral platform). So, I don't quite see the point of such negotiations, especially when they have been tried a million times before.
Gishnu Das
New York, New York
US
Perplexing behaviour
Sir- I am confused. I want to be sympathetic to Arafat, but his behaviour continually perplexes me. Over a year ago, at Camp David and Taba, when offered the best deal ever by the Israelis, instead of making a counter-offer and trying to improve it, as one normally does in a negotiation, he simply said no and walked out. One would assume that he did not want to make a peace deal of any sort. Naturally, the Israeli side got angry and elected Sharon, from their right wing. Then we have a year and a half of violence. For what? No one has been able to explain this to me.
Also, no one has been able to explain any logical reason for the Palestinian Intifada. What is the purpose? If it is to get a Palestinian state, surely the method of non-violence is a hundred times more effective, just as it was for Gandhi and Martin Luther King. The road of violence is not only old-fashioned, but completely self- destructive and almost stupid. Furthermore, if Arafat had continued to negotiate, they would have had a state already. So one must conclude that Arafat does not really want peace or a Palestinian state. Or am I wrong?
Juan Rodriquez
Los Angeles, California
US
How can we help?
Sir- I don't know how to start my letter, but as one of millions of Muslim girls, I want to ask you: how can we help Palestinians? Is it just money? If so, where should we send it? And to whom? If you can give me a clue about how everyone can help those courageous people, please tell me. Waiting for your reply as soon as possible.
Heba Hani Ibrahim
Cairo
Egypt
Recipe for growth
Sir- Well done, Mahmoud Mohieldin, on "A stitch in time" (Al-Ahram Weekly, 21-27 March). You have provided an excellent economic plan for Egypt's growth. I hope someone in government is reading your article!
Roger D McKinney
Tulsa, Oklahoma
US
Men from Mars
Sir- I read "Are men from Mars?" (Al-Ahram Weekly, 21-27 March) with some great laughs! Men, welcome to the Western woman!
Matt Young
US
What, me worry?
Sir- It would appear that Ashraf El-Bayoumi (Al-Ahram Weekly, 14-20 March) believes that the United States has imperial designs on the rest of the world. I have some news for him! The great majority of US citizens would rather the rest of the world take care of its own problems.
Why in the world should I care if Iraq wants to attack its neighbours? If you are not concerned about the possibility of chemical, germ, or atomic attacks from Iraq, why should I worry? Believe me when I say that I would much rather my country spend my tax dollars on issues here at home than on trying to make sure that someone else has a little freedom.
If you have problems, solve them yourself and if you want to hate us that's fine too. I could care less -- unless, of course, you choose to try another 9/11, in which case you should not be surprised if we clobber you (as any good imperialist would do). Have a nice day!
Paul John Begtzos
Arizona
US
Resisting Europa
Sir- Re "Naked Imperialism" by Ashraf El- Bayoumi (Al-Ahram Weekly, 14-20 March).
There is no question in my mind that the United States wants to impose its will, by force if necessary, on all parts of the world. Its tactics may differ from place to place, but one thing is certain: imperialism at any cost. Western civilisation, now headed by the United States, cannot afford to let the more dominant Asiatic people rule their own territory as they wish. The Mussulman civilisation together with the Sinic civilisation present the biggest challenge to the Western world.
Yes, I agree with Samuel Huntington that these two Asiatic civilisations present the biggest challenge to the West. The reasons are many, but the more significant are demography and history. Geographically, Europe and Asia belong to a single extended continent. Since ancient times, Asiatic nomads have migrated into Europa. Huns, Magyars, Mongols and Turks are only some of the many Asiatic nomads who are now a part of Europa. Also, we need to recognise that the East gave the West early forms of writing, science, art, culture and religion. Today, Asians have more natural resources, population, geography and growth potential, while the Western world is suffering from a staggering population, little geography (especially Europa) and lazy sedentary patterns.
The United States is commanded by descendants of European migrants who feel that Western civilisation (America and Europe) must be protected at any cost. In the past, the term "white interests" has been used; however, political correctness today makes it difficult to use this term.
Billions of Asians certainly present a big challenge to the 700 million people of America and Europe. There has never been a sense of inclusiveness in the Western/white civilisation. Since ancient times the Greeks were obsessed with racist ideas and vulgar beliefs that they were the centre of human civilisation. All territory east of the Aegean Sea became Asia and west became Europa. It was that simple and primitive. These traditions of primitive seclusiveness and segregation of humanity are still very much alive in US foreign policy. My point is: forget about Western principles. They are meant only for Westerners/whites, not for the rest of humanity.
The dominant Asiatic civilisation, primarily the Mussulman and the Sinic worlds, should join forces and develop alliances to counter the Western/white assaults. The dominant Asiatic people cannot and should not let the more recessive Westerners be allowed to continue marginalising Asiatic civilisation through intimidation and destruction. The West, after all, is a small part of the world's human population.
Amir Iftikhar
Stavanger
Norway
Hindus on the rampage
Sir- I wish to draw the attention of the international community in general and the Muslim world in particular towards the mass killings of innocent minorities in India by Hindu terrorists with the help of police and government.
This is not first time minorities, particularly Muslims, were killed by Hindu terrorists. There have been thousands of incidents of anti- minority violence, discrimination, and destruction of place of worship since the departure of the British in 1947. Hitler killed millions of minority Jews, just because they were minority, and India's majority Hindu fascist groups want to repeat that history. They will move in the same direction if they are not stopped by the world leaders. Fascist Hindu groups are ruling the country. Our own prime minister is a staunch member of the BJP (the political party of the terrorist group RSS).
In 1992 in Bombay, thousands of innocent Muslims were butchered with the help of police and security forces (terrorists in uniform) by a terrorist group, Shiv Sena. In the 1987 Meerut riots, hundreds of Muslims were kidnapped by the police and gunned down and thrown in a river. Kanpur, Bhagalpur, Surat, Moradabad, and now Gujarat: these are only a few of the sites where anti-Muslim violence has occurred. As far as demolition of the Babri mosque is concerned, it was not the first or last place of worship demolished by Hindus. Just last week five mosques were razed in Haryana.
The disciples of Hitler are now ruling our country and when the cobra itself becomes your protector who is going to protect you?
I urge the UN and the international community to help minorities in India and find a lasting solution to the internal terrorism carried out by Hindu fascist and terrorist groups, and the state terrorism carried out by the government. The government itself is fascist and terrorist, so what can the UN and international community do? First, the government should be run by secular and liberal people. Second, the murderers of Bombay, Meerut, Bhagalpur, and Gujarat should be tried in an international criminal tribunal. Third, Hindu terrorist groups should be banned worldwide, as they have offices and members in different countries.
Sahil Khan
Delhi
India
Angles of bias
Sir- First, I would like to congratulate you on your excellent newspaper. I am Dutch and I live in Egypt. After 11/9 I became interested in the politics of the Middle East and of the rest of the world. I was shocked to find out through the discussion forum of a Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf how some people think of the Arabs and Muslims. But still I thought Holland is a democratic country where you can express your views freely.
It is not true. I have tried, through the De Telegraaf discussion forum to show the other side. I tried to provide them with some information about life in general here. The latest issue I brought up in this Dutch forum was Galal Nassar's article, "The axis of evil -- from another angle" (Al-Ahram Weekly, 7-13 March). I quoted some lines from the article to explain this joint offensive against Iraq. To my big surprise and disappointment the Dutch newspaper censured this whole issue. Why? I don't know and I can only speculate on this point. I am Dutch but I find the Dutch media very one-sided, even if they accuse the press of the Middle East of being one- sided, manipulated and propagandistic.
Cecilia Bos
Hurghada
Egypt
False assumptions
Sir- I was surprised to observe how false are the assumptions on which Galal Nassar based his analysis in the article titled: "The axis of evil -- from another angle," (Al-Ahram Weekly, 7-13 March). I would like to explain some facts that will give you a chance to observe realities as the time passes by:
- There will be no columns of Turkish tanks marching on Baghdad and there is no plan for joint offensive against Iraq.
- There is no reason for Turkey to be schizophrenic in matters of identity. We belong to Europe as well as Asia and to the Middle East as well as the Balkans and the Caucasus. We are Muslims, elhamdulillah, but secular. We have a unique identity. We have no intention to sacrificing our Islamic links. If you will kindly observe that there are more state built mosques in Turkey than in Egypt or any other Arab country, this will give you a better idea. Our Arab links are very much in place and will remain so.
- There is no campaign against Syria due to the PKK or any other matter. It is true there was a crisis between Turkey and Syria in 1998, which was solved peacefully thanks to the noble efforts of President Mubarak. Since then, our relations have been developing on sound basis in all fields, particularly in security.
- There is no reason for conflict between Iraq or Iran and Turkey because of the PKK. On the contrary, there is a convergence of interests among these countries due to such threats. I must add that I was greatly surprised to read an Arab intellectual suggesting that Arabs and Iran should play the "Kurdish card" against Turkey. Please take into account that the so-called "card" would be a threat against the territorial integrity of Iran as well as at least one Arab country, namely Iraq. Furthermore, playing around with it could alter the balance in the entire region.
- There are no periodic naval drills in the Mediterranean between Turkey and Israel. The only exercises that have been jointly performed have been with a humanitarian objective, to cooperate to save lives at sea. They are not periodic. If you kindly consult any expert, he will assure you that these exercises have no military value.
- The Turkish airspace is not open to "Israeli" or any other foreign aircraft. Joint exercises without ammunition are pre-planned and announced in advance. Recently, the exercise area has been offered to all countries and it won't be surprising if some Arab countries take advantage of it.
- There are no Israeli listening posts or aircraft deployed in Turkey. Egyptian officials have officially been invited to Turkey to visit any place they wish to see. The fact that they didn't take up the offer shows that Egyptian Armed Forces don't take those allegations seriously.
- If you sincerely believe Israel is encircling the Middle East in the north by the assistance of Turkey and in the south through Eritrea, Ethiopia and other African States, I wish you good luck with your imagination.
- Some Turkish military aircraft are being overhauled by Israel because an Israeli-Singaporean consortium made the best offer with a soft credit line. There is no financial assistance by the US involved. The project for upgrading of tanks has a similar background.
I hope these facts will help you realise the truth in time.
Aykut Cetirge
Ambassador
Embassy of Turkey
Cairo
Egypt
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