In the name of development
Sir-- It is somewhat surprising to read Nader Fergany's criticisms of recent US attempts to advance democracy and human development in the Arab world. In 'Knowing our 'friends'' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 26 December, 2002 - 1 January, 2003), Mr Fergany rails implicitly against the State Department's Middle East Partnership Initiative, claiming that it is in effect a betrayal of the spirit of the Arab Human Development Report (AHDR), which the initiative purports to implement, and which Mr Fergany himself played the largest role in creating. Given the astute critiques of the AHDR, it is remarkable that Mr Fergany reverts to such knee-jerk anti-Americanism to reject this attempt by the US to address some of the issues he raises in the report.
The author claims that "the West, especially the US, has some serious answering to do with respect to the gravity of the human development crisis in the region." If he is referring to the dire situation of the Palestinians, who suffer palpably from US support for Israel, or the desperation of Iraqis, he is absolutely correct. But support for Israel and sanctions on Iraq have little if anything to do with the development of the vast majority of the Arab world. It is hard to see exactly how the Israeli occupation of the West Bank is stalling human development in Egypt or Yemen, for example.
Upon reading the actual proposals of the Middle East Partnership Initiative, one finds that it is essentially a programme to extend financial and organisational support to education, training and technology transfer, developmental efforts, and civil society in the Arab world; this initiative is not a plot to subjugate the Arabs. Undoubtedly, its shortcomings are many; it may well prove to be ineffective; and it will not extend the benefits of political participation to all and does not even address the plight of the Palestinians.
But despite these faults it is difficult to see how this initiative is anything but active engagement in making regimes allied to the US more democratic and representative and encouraging the development of their societies. Isn't this what the Arabs, including Mr Fergany himself, have been demanding? Or has anti-Americanism become so automatic that any move by a US administration in the region is seen as manipulation and the "'Afghanisation' of Arab countries"?
Abdullah Roq
Las Vegas, Nevada
USA
Spellbound by Marx
Sir-- Galal Amin communicates far more than he intends in his article 'Arabs and Muslims and the global order' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 26 December, 2002 - 1 January, 2003). He shows that Arab intellectuals continue to stumble about under the spell of Karl Marx.
I have studied Marx for many years and have discovered that his observations of contemporary Europe and his history were mostly inaccurate, while all of his forecasts proved to be silly as well as off the mark. His followers in Russia and China murdered millions of their own citizens in bloody human sacrifices to the "Great Marx". They plunged their nations into grinding poverty that they have managed to escape only through apostasy to Marx.
The Arab obsession with Marx would be comical if it weren't so sad.
Roger McKinney
Broken Arrow, OK
USA
Spot on
Sir-- 'Arabs and Muslims and the global order' (Al- Ahram Weekly, 26 December, 2002 - 1 January, 2003) is absolutely great analysis. I doubt very much if it could get printed in the US. It was lucid, comprehensive and to my mind, accurate.
Cleve Shearer
Bonners Ferry, Idaho
USA
The message
Sir-- Thank you for your excellent publication and for the article 'Arabs and Muslims and the global order' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 26 December, 2002 - 1 January, 2003). One of the most important foundations of civilisation is that the individual -- not to mention society -- possesses the ability to put cultural and societal choices into practice, yet the wielders of power in the West are not prepared to grant the Muslims this right -- not even when it comes to understanding Islam.
They wish to dictate to us a particular understanding of Islam, which will have as one of its important tenets the preservation of Western hegemony and the subjugation of the Muslim world to its slavish devotion and allegiance. This is a very superficial understanding which the West has of its problems and how to solve them.
The principles of morality and ethics require that there should be some common benefit obtained by all parties concerned to ensure mutual respect and fair dealings; such an attitude must be given priority over egoism and blatant selfishness. We recognise Islam to be a message of guidance and enhancement. It is best that the West, with a peaceful frame of mind, comes to understand the true message of Islam and the choices that it has to offer.
Mohamed Samir
Arizona
USA
Vying models
Sir-- It has become routine for disgruntled Marxists like Galal Amin, the author of 'Arabs and Muslims and the global order' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 26 December, 2002 - 1 January, 2003) to blame the utter failure of their beloved Marxism as a political and economic model -- as well as the rest of the world's problems -- on the United States, multinational companies and free enterprise in general. As usual, Mr Amin refuses to acknowledge the reality that nations which have embraced freer markets (South Korea, Thailand and even China) have substantially raised their standards of living, while committed Socialist regimes like Cuba and North Korea remain totalitarian economic backwaters that cannot even feed their own people, and must rely on the generosity of others simply to avoid massive famine.
But what is truly ridiculous and insulting is Mr Amin's contention that terrorism is an "invention" that was cynically created by the West to "better serve the interests of the new world order and Israel". Perhaps Mr Amin doesn't remember 11 September, 2001. That, Sir, was terrorism and it was not an "invention" by the United States to justify its policies.
Now certainly the United States has implemented some misguided, selfish and ultimately tragic policies in the Middle East (namely Palestine), but at the same time over the past dozen years Americans have fought and died on behalf of Muslims in Kuwait, Bosnia, Kosovo and Somalia. The United States also provides the biggest market for Arab oil and provides a massive amount of aid to Egypt.
Mr Amin also states that according to American policy "Arabs and Muslims are somehow more inherently inclined to commit terrorist acts than others peoples." Again this is nonsense. President Bush and other American leaders have stated repeatedly that Islam is a religion of peace, and that it is a very small minority of its adherents who have committed terrorist acts.
It should also be pointed out that even in light of the unfortunate treatment of some Muslims and Arabs in the US since 9/11, Muslims enjoy more religious, political and economic freedoms and opportunities in the US than in most Arab and Islamic countries. Indeed, Islam is thriving in the US to the extent that it is the fastest growing religion in the country.
John Bentley
Chicago, IL
USA
The truth game
Sir-- 'Arabs and Muslims and the global order' (Al- Ahram Weekly, 26 December, 2002 - 1 January, 2003) is a good, comprehensive and objective description of the facts of our present time.
I am very impressed by Galal Amin's deep knowledge of developments regarding both economic and political events and phenomena. His projection of Marx's theories to our present time alone earns him remarkable recognition.
The truth is one, unchangeable. When it is manipulated by the vile intents of greedy entities or individuals, it is frequently absorbed and believed. Noam Chomsky called it "manufacturing consent" and Marshal MacLuhan noted "medium is the message."
Johannes Colombani
Los Angeles, CA
USA
Power to Palestinians
Sir-- Edward Said's pungent analysis of Palestinians and Israelis and the US 'Immediate imperatives' (Al- Ahram Weekly, 19-25 December) is hard hitting and on the mark. In order for the Palestinian people to somehow bring about meaningful, productive change they will need to be empowered.
How will empowerment ever happen?
John G Merriam
Toledo, OH
USA
Not so hostile
Sir-- I have long considered Mr Edward Said as one of the most effective enemies of my country Israel. I have often been upset by the strength of his arguments. Sometimes his hate for us causes him to warp reality, but I think Mr Said is now coming of age and speaking the clear brave, truth. I say that with the greatest respect for his intellectual honesty. In his article 'Immediate imperatives' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 19- 25 December) he lashes out at American self interest, Israeli occupation and cruelty, but also states the blatant truth about the corrupt Palestinian Authority and the fanatic Islamic warlords.
With more men of his integrity and talent on all sides of the conflict, perhaps we Middle-Easterners can get back on track and rebuild our lives without a new phase of European-American neo-colonialism. Let us hope that sane, brave and honest voices like Mr Said's are heard all over the Middle East.
Bruce Levin
Petach Tikvah
Israel
Time for change
Sir-- I would first like to thank Al-Ahram Weekly for publishing the opinions of true intellectuals such as Edward Said. Such voices of honesty, dissent and candor are hard to hear in the Arab world and its media.
Professor Said's analysis in 'Immediate imperatives' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 19-25 December) of the situation regarding the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat and his corruption, is a truthful one, but let's be a bit more realistic. If Arafat does hold elections, he will win without a doubt. Even though Barghouti's ideas and the National Initiative seem very legitimate and genuine, unfortunately, if it isn't beaten by Arafat's propaganda it would later be destroyed by the Israelis.
I think that it is the Palestinian Authority which needs to be reformed; the Palestinian political entity already has a structure but its leaders and bureaucratic heads need to be replaced by unadulterated leaders such as Barghouti and Said.
Muhammad Faridi
New York, NY
USA
In awe
Sir-- I am ecstatic and thankful that you have made Edward Said's words available for all to read and understand. He is the only voice of reason, responsibility, kindness and humility that I have found in my years of searching for a spiritual leader.
His voice of courage and morality rank him up there with any rabbi, priest, singer, world leader I am aware of.
Dow Buzzell
Yuma, Colorado
USA
Something fishy
Sir-- I am curious about the article 'Tycoons in trouble' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 19-25 December). My experience has been that the elite will allow this type of corruption as long as every one is getting their share of the booty. Changes only occur if there is regime change under way. The fact that this tycoon is being taken to court smells fishy to me... something big is about to happen, or the tycoons got a little bit too big for their breaches and forgot who holds the strings, and now they are paying a price.
Power struggle happens all the time and corruption has not diminished anywhere in the world. The elite are just adjusting their "take money from the workers" tap, and the court systems -- no matter in which country -- are in collusion with the elite in power.
So, we, the working people, have only one option: to be suspicious when "tycoons" are being hurled to jails.
R Smith
Vancouver
Canada
Road to despair
Sir-- Regarding 'The viceroy' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 19-25 December). I believe Khalilzad will always be the servant of his "new found friends"; it is a pity that people like him don't learn anything from history. If you look back at every traitor who sold out his own people, you will find that they all paid a price as will Khalilzad, Powell, Condolezza and the rest.
Khalilzad, the good elite intellectual turned traitor, will end up, alone, ignored and feeling the despair that treason brings to the body and soul. Like Kissinger, he will be hunted down for war crimes, while the "other partners" will get away Scott free.
Kissinger is not white enough, nor is Khalilzad since in the racist society we live in you have to be a WASP in order to get away with murder.
R Bueno
Vancouver
Canada
Great service
Sir-- For more than eight years I have been a regular reader of your newspaper. Your web page is the best among the Arab newspapers with a search engine for archives and past articles, and Al-Ahram Weekly offers a variety of articles by the pillars of our intellectual life like Edward Said.
I write this to thank you for the great service you are doing us, and the people abroad, by presenting a respectable image of Arab journalism. Keep going.
Walid Salah El-Din
Cairo
Egypt
The right to know
Sir-- I read with interest 'When stars are shot down' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 9-15 January) on the anti-war movement in the United States. As a "member" of this body of American citizens, I too am dismayed at the lack of coverage in our commercial media. I too am dismayed at the notion that debating or opposing war can ever be construed as "un-American" (or Egyptian, or Palestinian, or Israeli). Your readers should be aware that we do have abundant access to a more full range of coverage on this issue, most notably on National Public Radio and PBS Television in the US. While these sources do not reach as many as CNN or the commercial networks, they are the news and analysis source for millions of thinking Americans.
I am intrigued by the conclusion of your article that the Bush administration is directly manipulating the media. If it were true, it would be a clear violation of the US Constitution and would be pursued vigorously by those in government "watch-dog" organisations, and more particularly by those politically opposed to President Bush. Unfortunately, I could find no evidence in your article to support this assertion of executive control.
Troy Lethem
Madison, Wisconsin
USA
Duping the masses
Sir-- Thank you for publishing Aziza Sami's article, 'When stars are shot down' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 9-15 January). Her characterisation of how the mainstream American media trivialises the US anti-war movement and prevents ordinary Americans from realising its scope or understanding its claims is entirely accurate. In the past few months, I have participated in anti-war rallies in both New York and Washington and both times I was appalled by the coverage given to the events by the American media. The Washington rally was attended by as many as 100,000 people (even the mainstream Washington Post admitted that), yet readers of the New York Times and viewers of CNN were instead given the impression that there had been only a few hundred pathetic extremists from radical socialist and militant feminist organisations.
There are a lot of us here in America who oppose the administration's policies on Iraq, its policies on Israel, its bureaucratic persecution of innocent Muslim immigrants in the US, and much more. But, unfortunately, there are also a lot of people who have internalised the mass media's constant message that America is always on the side of right. Armed with this belief, they have no trouble believing the lies and distortions that often pass for news here, and have no fear that the corporations that own the media might have an interest in keeping them ignorant. It seems ridiculous that Americans should have to read newspapers from Britain, France, Egypt, Italy and elsewhere (as I do) in order to have some idea of what is really going on in the world, but unfortunately that is where things stand right now.
Richard Wittman
Pennsylvania
USA
All the victims
Sir-- Your newspaper is very useful for us in understanding the Arab perspective. However, I am curious why is there more focus on Palestine and less on Iraq? It may be safely stated that the person responsible for more deaths of Muslims in the 20th century is Saddam Hussein.
While the killing of any civilians, Palestinian or Iraqi is wrong, the exclusive focus on Palestine over the plight of Iraqis under Saddam Hussein gives the impression that the plight of fellow Muslims is only important when they are attacked by a non-Muslim nation (namely Israel). But when Iraqis are killed by their own ruler, that is an internal matter and not important.
Such a dichotomy makes it difficult to believe that the Arab world's concern for the plight of the Palestinians is motivated solely by humanitarian concerns.
Diels A Alder
Frankfurt
Germany
Life of terror
Sir-- People of Israel, you say that your religion holds life in the highest esteem, yet everyday your soldiers kill the children of Palestine. Daily, their young bodies, draped in the red, white, black and green flags of their beloved homeland, are paraded down the main streets of Palestine, carried aloft in a hero's farewell, to their final resting place. Each day another Palestinian mother weeps as her child is buried in sacred soil, shot down in the most horrific manner.
You call the Palestinians terrorists, while you kill a woman who is nine months pregnant with an American-made rocket, fired from an American-made Apache helicopter, as she takes her children home from school. Each night, your armoured "Civil Administration" bulldozers arrive around 2:30 and proceed to demolish Palestinian homes, including olive and lemon trees, and other precious Middle Eastern commodities, such as water supplies. No warning is given to these people that their homes are about to be destroyed, causing many to be buried alive by American-made Caterpillar bulldozers. Fathers have to quickly gather their families and run for their very lives in terror.
You use informers to find the meeting place of Palestinian leaders then you send your helicopters to the location where it fires its American-made rockets directly into the room, killing the leaders, women and children -- like something out of a Hollywood movie. Is this not terror?
Since the founding of your country, Israel has started every war that it fought with its Arab neighbours, and with each victory enlarging the size of its nation. Your government has shown complete disregard to world opinion, and now I ask you: Who are the terrorists?
James F Harrington
New Hampshire
USA
Armageddon patrons
Sir-- The Israeli occupation of Jerusalem has ignited an explosion of Christian Evangelism in America. It has revived their hopes that Jesus (peace be upon him) will return to rule the world for a thousand years. They see Israel's occupation as the prelude to the Battle of Armageddon that must take place before Jesus (peace be upon him) can return. This movement in America increases in strength whenever Israel increases in power or embarks upon a new war. It refuses to entertain any peaceful solutions and always stirs up pessimism about the possibility of any peace accords.
This movement was at the height of its strength during the Reagan years, especially when he professed his belief in the Battle of Armageddon. This is also when the movement's leaders, such as Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and Jimmy Swaggart, reached the height of their fame.
Adam Saqr
Salt Lake City, Utah
USA
Lock, stock and barrel
Sir-- Thank you for the excellent reporting in 'Building up the pressure' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 26 December, 2002 - 1 January, 2003).
I am not surprised by Secretary Powell's declaration that Iraq is in "material breach" of UN Security Council Resolution 1441. The Bush administration views itself as judge, jury, prosecutor and defence in the trial of Saddam Hussein, and is determined on a "guilty" verdict before the investigation -- let alone the trial -- had even begun.
Robert Chapman
Half Moon, NY
USA
Making amends
Sir-- I enjoyed reading Nyier Abdou's interviews with Dennis Halliday 'Scylla and Charybdis' and Hans Von Sponeck 'The policy of punishment' (Al- Ahram Weekly 26 December, 2002 - 1 January, 2003). It is certainly preferable to hear the views and analyses of people with experience of the situation on the ground in Iraq concerning the blockade, as opposed to the vile disinformation being propagated by the politicians in Washington and London on the matter.
My hope is that -- as Dennis Halliday claims -- once it is accepted that the military actions and sanctions against Iraqis constitute war crimes and genocide, that those responsible for these crimes are put on trial and a system is devised for compensating the Iraqi people. Surely that is the least that they deserve.
Yago Zayed
Hitchin
UK
Projecting fundamentalism
Sir-- I would like to add one thing regarding the article 'What went wrong?' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 12-18 December).
One of the most prominent Orientalists in the US, Gustav von Gronbaum, finds no difficulty in portraying Islam as anti-humanity and unable to change or gain self-knowledge or objectivity. This sort of fundamentalist and racist thinking based on the myth of the existence of an outright contradiction between two opposites that have no common denominator, has affected ideas on Arab and Islamic societies.
Therefore, many modern Western researchers are comfortable recycling this train of thought with the aim of proving the imaginary and politicised contradiction between what they think is fundamental in their personal identity, and what is fundamental in Arab-Islamic culture.
Li Tan
New York, NY
USA
Condemn them
Sir-- Allow me a brief commentary on Nyier Abdou's article 'The new America' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 26 December, 2002 - 1 January, 2003). Not once does Ms Abdou talk about the people who are actually responsible for the escalating violence in the world. She blames the US, its policies of the past and present, and on "root causes" for such attacks. Which root causes? Oh, the ones we keep hearing about: "poverty, duplicity, and self-centered policies". Poverty? Is Mr Bin Laden a poor man? Were the attackers of 11 September poor people? Were the Chechens who took over the theatre poor? "Duplicity and self-centered policies" brings to mind a man such as Saddam Hussein -- surely he is self-centered and duplicitous.
Do we hear Ms Abdou say a word about Mr Hussein? Do we hear one word of criticism of Bin Laden and Al-Qa'eda? Nope. She calls the hostage-taking in Moscow and the bombing in Bali "warning shots". Was there any criticism or condemnation of those who carried out such attacks? Nope. Not a single word deploring the actions of supposedly Islamic terrorists; not a single call for Muslims to speak out against such terror, condemn it as un-Islamic and launch their own private jihad to rid Islam of the crazy and fanatical murderers who have done more to tarnish Islam and Muslims than anything the US could do. Where is your outrage, madam, at this perversion of Islam?
Casey Brennan
Pittsburgh, PA
USA
