8 - 14 August 2002 Issue No. 598 Readers' corner	Current issue Previous issue Site map
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875		Recommend this page

Letters to the editor

Don't blame capitalism

Sir- I wish your other writers could write as clearly as Mohamed Sid-Ahmed in 'Capitalism's turn' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 1-7 July). I think many writers, including those in Europe and the US, make a mistake in equating corporate scandals with problems in capitalism. We should distinguish between special causes and systematic causes; between actions of capitalists and capitalism. Remember that after 11 September, many in the West wanted to blame Islam for the tragedy, while others said the problem is not Islam, but certain Muslims. Another analogy might be with democracies. Israel is a democracy. Do writers suggest that democracies are evil because of Sharon's actions?

Many writers on the Left want to blame capitalism for corporate corruption. But keep in mind that there are over five million corporations in the US, and only 12 of those are suspected of illegal activity. In true capitalism, it's not the market's job to protect the people from criminal CEO's -- that's the job of government. Government has a real and important role under classical capitalism: protection of the life, liberty and property of the citizens. When citizens lose property to criminals, such as the dirty dozen CEOs under indictment, it's not capitalism's failure, but the failure of government to do its job.

Roger McKinney
Broken Arrow, OK
USA

American apology

Sir-- It is hard to miss all the news about the Arab world these days. Unfortunately here in America, that news is biased towards one side -- Israel. People in the Arab world have to understand that the American government lies to and deceives its own citizens, as well as the world. The American media never broadcasts the suffering of the Palestinian or the Iraqi people, and most Americans blindly follow their leaders because they don't know any better. And for all of this I must apologise.

Not every American thinks that what our government is doing is right. There are a lot of Americans who don't want our army to attack Iraq, and many support the creation of a Palestinian state. So please do not blame every American for the actions of our Imperialist government.

I hope that one day the United States and the Arab world can live in peace and harmony.

David Hosch

Overland Park, KS

USA

Once upon a time

Sir-- I am so tired of it all. The non-stop talking, the stupidity and the helplessness. This is what I think caused it all: Europe and the USA had an illegitimate relationship some time ago which resulted in the birth of a little bastard. They were totally disgusted and ashamed of the baby, so they put their heads together and decided to throw the bastard at our door, naming it and promising to support it forever. Fifty years later, the USA is a little bolder about acknowledging its parenthood.

I wonder why they do not take that little bastard back, settle it in the heart of the USA (a little piece of each central state will do), and have the genius Steven Spielberg create all the landscapes and illusions they need to feel comfy, while only adding one little David star to the US flag.

Yasmine Nassef
Cairo
Egypt

Too many questions

Sir-- Concerning Casey Brennan's letter 'Vitriolic thunderbolt (Al-Ahram Weekly, 4-10 July) in which many things were said about the Arabs' and Muslims' views of Americans and Israelis. First I'd like to state that we, Arabs and Muslims, never hate the Americans, but what we really dislike is the American leadership being a puppet in the hands of the Zionist lobby. Have you heard Bush's disappointing statements concerning the peace process? The best description of it is that it is a speech which Sharon would give. The US leadership should explain many actions it has taken against a number of Islamic and Arab countries for no reasonable purpose.

Regarding the press, I don't think there is a free press in any part of the world. Yet you want our press to focus on Israeli suffering while forgetting that they are the occupiers, the arrogant and the armed . Where have UN resolutions gone; where are the agreements signed by several Israeli leaders; why was Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin assassinated; why did that damned Sharon visit Al-Aqsa Mosque in September 2000?

We are all are against terror in all its forms, yet why did the American leadership strike Afghanistan without concrete proof of Taliban involvement in the 11 September attacks? Why does it insist on attacking Iraq, killing many innocent civilians? Why does this leadership insist on listing Hamas as a terrorist group, while ignoring Israeli massacres in the Palestinian territories? Why does it persist in using its veto power in the UN Security Council to block any measures taken by the UN in the favour of the peace process?

It is easy for the US leadership to change these sentiments, by embracing a balanced policy free from any pressure; a policy which is after nothing but justice.

Mustafa El-Bakry
Daqahliya
Egypt

Rush to judgment

Sir-- Regarding Casey Brennan's letter (Al- Ahram Weekly, 4-10 July). The question should be: Why does the average Arab hate America's way of handling world issues? It is morally repugnant to unceremoniously hold somebody accountable for a crime he didn't commit, or at least has yet to be proven guilty of. Bush's war- on-terror rhetoric was the only possible way to rehabilitate America's battered dignity and erstwhile hubris. This was simply done on the debris of helpless and hapless Afghans.

Nobody hates Americans, otherwise they wouldn't have thought of setting foot or feeling secure in Egypt. Mr Brennan says: "Americans didn't fly aeroplanes into Arab buildings," and I say, nor have the Arabs been proven guilty for the attacks.

Furthermore, the American media is discriminating against the Arabs, and Mr Bush's Middle East statement shouldn't have been such a disgraceful nonstarter littered with do's and don'ts to the Palestinians -- and pathetic condolences to the Israelis.

Egypt's press is free in a way that would preserve Egypt's integrity and national security when handling sensitive issues, and Egyptians like it, or else your slanderous allegations would not have been featured at all.

To be incessantly featured in press is the least modicum of human rights that should be granted to the hapless, helpless Palestinians, who are being persecuted by a ruthless, ne'er-do-well Israel.

Ali Mahmoud Abu Amer
Daqahliya
Egypt

Wake up call

Sir-- After all the rage and solidarity we illustrated during the Israeli attacks on Palestinians in April, it seems that we Arabs have gone back to our long eternal slumber. Where is our "constructive" anger regarding the ongoing humiliation of our Palestinian brothers and sisters? Is the summer too hot this year for any action? Is it time for beaches and pathetic gossip? Or is time for weddings and a sick beauty pageant where women stand up as they did in the Mamlukes' harem market?

At the peak of the riots, I wrote a letter predicting that after a while all our anger will die and we will be back to our usual passiveness, once the Israeli offensive is over. However, to my surprise, although the humiliation and military offensive has continued, nobody seems to be interested anymore as though it had become a boring seasonal topic.

It seems to me after reading letters from Americans and Europeans, that we have left others to do the thinking for us. Unfortunately, this is what we have been doing with everything else for God knows how long. I read Western views telling us how to be constructive and how to get our act together. But sadly, and ironically, we are still talking about boycotting McDonald's and KFC, discussing women's veil and its socio-economic effect on the Egyptian and the Arab world.

I can't believe we have become so trivial and superficial. I am writing my letter to the intellectuals of the Arab and the Muslim world -- if there are any left. How about a media campaign where the Zionist domination over the world media is back on the battle ground; how about a strong, organised, efficient Arab lobby in America and European capitals; how about uniting our efforts together, and forgetting our disputes for sometime?

We Arabs must wake up and do something constructive. And if you think you cannot participate in any of the above, I suggest you become constructive and stand aside.

Ahmed El-Ashram
Cairo
Egypt

Not so promising

Sir-- Mukul Devichand's article 'A president for all people' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 25-31 July) is an eye-opener -- at least for Muslims. It sweet- talks many wishful thinkers about the President of India Dr Abul-Kalam. He would have never ever gotten a majority vote if he had the characteristics Mr Devichand has enumerated.

One quote from the Washington Post 18 July states:

"Although born to Muslim parents, Kalam does not describe himself as Muslim. He reads Hindu scriptures each day [and] is a vegetarian."

Ajmal Husain
Ontario
Canada

Trading places

Sir-- I want to tell the American people something: Put yourselves in the Palestinians' shoes. Suppose you are attacked and your land occupied. Your country is gripped in blockade, curfew, demolition, no food, killings, and your leader is confined to his Oval Office. Snipers everywhere, no work, malnutrition, and you even see your ambulances being shot at and destroyed.

For sure your brave military will gird up its lions, with its state-of-the-art weaponry, to defend your soil. No one on earth will blame you when you defend yourself. So, why do you insist on denying the Palestinians the right to defend their people and homeland?

I believe the Palestinians are human beings who are entitled to live a free and easy life, just as you do.

Sameh Shehata
Cairo
Egypt

Losses for all

Sir-- I just wanted to say that I generally like the appearance of your newspaper. Although I currently live in the US, I am German. I would like to see more reports in Arab newspapers about the suffering of innocent Israeli families, whose babies were also torn apart by bombs.

Maybe if both sides see the incredible suffering of the other side, this madness might stop. And certainly most "normal" people on both sides want that.

Knut Reinert
Washington
USA

Alternative thinking

Sir-- I for one agree wholeheartedly with your opinions. From the start of the Gulf War, I and others like me felt our policy was in grave error motivated by economic and cult-like political interests. As a professor, I expand my students' perspectives by my off-mainstream view of our government, businesses and cultural short-term objectives.

Bush and his very ill-conceived cabinet are in danger of ruining our country and pushing the world into total ruin. Internationally, the US position regarding Israel has been pushed by Jews who occupy strategic positions in the government, financial centres, and the media -- it is almost impossible for someone like myself to express such opinions publicly in our country.

Gary Zenz
Tallahassee, Fl
USA

Freedom for all

Sir-- Your article about the Muslim Brotherhood entitled 'Brotherhood wings clipped' by Khaled Dawoud (Al-Ahram Weekly, 1-7 July) carried the same sentiment that I regularly encounter with the Western press, which is anti- Arab anti-Islam.

You should be encouraging freedom and democracy in your own country and not supporting a regime which puts people in jail for speaking out. The Brotherhood is not going to disappear from the face of this earth by killing, torturing and putting them in Jail.

The only way Egypt can get out of this mess is to let the people speak out, and not through one dictatorial regime to another.

Ahmed Shariff
Toronto
Canada

Contingency plan

Sir-- As much as we'd all like to see Saddam Hussein's reign of terror come to an end, attacking Iraq without assurances that all biological, chemical, and/or nuclear weapons that Iraq may have in its possession have been eradicated beforehand, is going to get a lot of innocent people killed. It goes without saying that Saddam is not going to go quietly. We all know that. It's a virtual certainty that if and when we attack Iraq, the madman turned martyr Hussein is going to launch everything he has in his arsenals.

I wonder what the military strategists at the Pentagon are anticipating regarding Hussein's military response, and what they deem as acceptable losses. I also wonder what may be going through the minds of Israel's leaders. Surely, both groups must understand with emphatic clarity that an attack on Iraq means an all-out attack on Israel that may result in its annihilation.

Therefore, I don't see the proposed attack on Iraq having a happy ending. What it aims to accomplish could be achieved by other means. We have made it clear that our goal is to remove Hussein, which in my mind means dead or alive. If we are going to ignore the Geneva Convention and its moratorium on assassinating world leaders, then why don't we send in a covert operation to do just that? Hussein would be gone before any of this gets out of control and Israel is turned into a pile of rubble.

Patrick Downes
Watertown, MA
USA

Petro war

Sir-- Oil companies need some tension to charge higher prices for oil. Bush and Cheney are talking about a war with Iraq to help their oil business.

Bill Climt
Texas
USA

Direct contact

Sir-- I wish to comment on 'Fear and loathing in America' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 25-31 July), and the exhortation by Dr Ziad Asali that Arabs must take responsibility for their own future. It is, however, the case that the Palestinian issue will be decided in the United States. It is the American government which supplies and authorises the use of the high-tech weapons of war, used to terrorise the unarmed civilian population of occupied Palestine. It is the American government that many in the whole world see as a dog wagged by the Israeli tail.

Dr Asali reminds us that it is the American "people" who compose the American government, and hence those who wish justice for the Palestinian people must appeal "directly" to the American people. The World Wide Web is a wonderful way of getting addresses of politicians, professional groups and communicating directly with colleges and schools.

Certainly in Australia, the fog of pro-Zionist propaganda has ensured that people in general do not know of the Saudi initiative, President Mubarak's principles and statemanly statements, the Israeli occupation and the awful conditions under which ordinary Palestinians must live.

John Carpenter
Melbourne
Australia

People pressure

Sir-- I want an explanation of US policies, which fan hatred and push our region towards instability, through its continued support of Israel's actions in the name of "self defence". When the Palestinians respond by merely throwing stones at Israeli tanks, the US considers that an act of terrorism.

I do not hate the Americans. On the contrary, I think they are the most understanding nation in the world, but as far as I can see they are not doing anything to pressure their government to be more honest in dealing with the Middle East conflict. This could be because the Zionist lobby in the US stifles any such attempt, but they still must do something.

Mohamed Rashid
Cairo
Egypt

Man's talent

Sir-- I find it amazing the webs we humans weave. We can create such magnificence, and can destroy with such ease. I often sit and wonder about the great artisans of all cultures, and the unseen forces which compelled them to create timeless masterpieces. Perhaps because of a law of nature, there is a need to create beauty from where there is none.

I wonder what images are conjured when the Palestinian farmer, the Israeli shopkeeper, the Russian steelworker, the Brazilian executive, the Egyptian intellectual, the American coal miner think of beauty? A child lounging in the sun, free from harm, or perhaps a place where one can walk the street without fear, or maybe a home that is not under siege.

There is an old English-language proverb that beauty is in the eye of the beholder; is there an equivalent proverb in your language?

Robbie Borie
Cleveland, OH
USA

Palatable reviews

Sir-- I greatly enjoy your food review articles. This is one of the best items in Al-Ahram Weekly. Thank you for your wonderful articles, and keep up the good work.

Saad Alexan
Vancouver, BC
Canada

Exciting travel

Sir-- I love your new travel section. Keep it up. Your whole site is always very exciting. Glad you are here.

Heidi Breuer
Wehr
Germany

Eye on heritage

Sir-- Even here in Brazil -- so far from Egypt -- I can see the new archaeological finds in your country, thanks to the very clear and well written words of Nevine El-Aref on the Heritage page.

Congratulations everyone.

Maur’cio Schneider
Curitiba City
Brazil

Rising temper

Sir-- I've been seething from within since I took up reading your paper, especially Readers' Corner. This page is an exhibition of hypocrisy and appeasement which highlight a monotone: we are the best on the earth.

I hope we are.

I'm sceptical about the source of those letters.

Abase El-Salamouny
Helwan
Egypt

Right of reply

Sir-- Regarding Mr Fargostein's letter published under the title 'Worthwhile killing', (Al- Ahram Weekly, 1-7 August). He wiped out the legitimate right of the people under occupation to liberate their motherland by means of armed struggle. He also misinterpreted the unprecedented victory of a small militia -- Hizbullah -- against US-backed Israeli occupation forces.

Mr Fargostein, I know that you grieve for the killing on both sides, but you described the inhumane attack in Gaza as a message, so why do you deny the Palestinians the right of resistance as a reply?

Mohamed I Abdel-Had
North Sinai
Egypt

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