Readers' corner
Israel's weapons
Sir-- Mustafa El-Labbad makes an interesting and at times persuasive argument about American or Israeli attacks against Iranian nuclear facilities ('Scenarios of an American strike', Al-Ahram Weekly 30 March-5 April). What he fails to mention is the overriding factor that tilts the situation very definitely in Israel's favour: Israel has two submarines in the Mediterranean and one near the Straits of Hormuz. All military experts recognise that these submarines are in all likely probability armed with nuclear-tipped Cruise or similar missiles. In addition, Israel has purchased a large number, some say 500 or more, bunker-busting air bombs from the US. Both of these must affect the thinking of Iranian leaders.
Robert Harper
Toronto
Canada
Going down
Sir-- You should know that not all Americans are fooled by the Bush conspiracy. His ratings are down to 32 per cent.
John Rotterstein
Narang
Australia
Clearer picture
Sir-- With reference to Hamid Dabashi's 'Islam and globanalisation' ( Al-Ahram Weekly 9-15 March) I thank him and your paper for giving all this confusion and horror such a clear and amazing unveiling. Amazing the level of terror, shame and degradation instigated and infused even in us intellectuals who are doing our best to rid ourselves of our own horrid governments and history. The road is clear -- either you join in the tirade and hate march of the bigots and the neocons by accepting the feeling of shame and hence renouncing a categorical identity given to you (an incurable disease), or you simply belong to the camp of the enemy -- Muslim fundamentalists . I was so delighted to see that in Dabashi's reflections he rightly and intelligently did not touch upon the discourse (the trap) of the so-called lie of "freedom of expression" as it is often used to delineate racist demarcations of us "west" versus "rest". I also loved his comparison of the fears of the Europeans of the Jews prior to the Holocaust and that of what is happening with the Muslims now. So much food for the mind and such a relief in having finally a clear defence against the onslaught of the assaults. Bravo and thank you for giving us a voice.
Shoja Azari
New York
USA
Vital reading
Sir-- 'Islam and globanalisation' is a refreshing, necessary input to the debate dominated by mainstream and the narrow minded Western press and people like Alan Dershewitz.
Farzad Janbazi
North Carolina
USA
Check up
Sir-- I have lived in Thailand for more than 30 years, and after I read Mr Gamil Mattar's erroneous comments ('A marriage made in hell', Al-Ahram Weekly 30 March-5 April) on this country where I walk, talk and breathe with the protesters he refers to, I decided to check one more reference. I chose Nepal because I know a little bit about that country. He says the White House has not commented on corruption in the government (which today also means the monarchy). He is also wrong about that; the White House has commented often and forcefully.
Alan Dawson
Bangkok
Thailand
Not so many
Sir-- Regarding your interview, 'Now Danes respect Muslims' ( Al-Ahram Weekly 23-29 March) where Islamic preacher Amr Khaled tells Gihan Shahine about the results of the controversial Copenhagen conference -- I quote "...tuned into a debate we had with 3,000 members from the extreme Danish right-wing..." -- I very much doubt that the number of extreme Danish right-wing members is that high.
Rene Frederiksen
Copenhagen
Denmark
Our mistake
Sir-- To the article by Galal Nassar 'A deathly certainty' ( Al-Ahram Weekly 30 March-5 April) I would like to add that my country's policy of claiming to have the right to preemptively strike any person, place or thing they think may be a threat is a mistake and only says to the world "do it our way or else." You don't make any friends by threatening them over the point of a gun. This policy came in with President Bush and I hope and pray it also leaves with him.
Richard Columbare
Florida
USA
Without the lobby
Sir-- Joseph Massad is beating a straw horse ('Blaming the lobby' Al-Ahram Weekly March 23- 29). No one I am aware of has ever argued that absent the Israeli Lobby the US would suddenly turn into Sweden. What critics do argue is that absent the lobby there would be an open debate in the mainstream media, that the Palestinian viewpoint might actually be represented, that Congress might actually raise the issue with their constituents instead of solely the Israeli lobby. In short, that we the people, win or lose, might actually have a voice in our own foreign policy. While such a debate played a vital role in the fight against Reagan's brutal policies in Central America, it was crucial to the victory over South African apartheid. While the Reagan administration supported the apartheid regime, the American people came to feel different and forced the policy to change. This was accomplished only through the free and open exchange of information, the very thing the Israeli lobby works so hard to stifle.
Is support of Israel in America's interest? George C Marshall in 1948 certainly didn't think so. As secretary of state for Harry Truman, Marshall argued angrily against recognition of Israel. He claimed it would be a betrayal of our interests in the Middle East, that we would be hated soundly for it, that the region would be plunged into warfare for a century or more. Why, he asked the president, are you doing this? To which Truman famously replied, "I have no Arab supporters amongst my constituency." Even then, the Israeli lobby.
Grif Fariello
California
USA
No surprise
Sir-- As you say, the Al-Aqsa Intifada ('Israel's superfluous elections' Al-Ahram Weekly 23-29 March) succeeded in dispelling the Israeli illusion that "peace was just around the corner" and this success has led directly to the dual themes of the election: internal social issues coupled with the acceptance of separation from the Palestinians. Since the current Palestinian government denies that Israel should exist, it shouldn't be surprised that Israel sees fit to act unilaterally. Hamas is trying to have its cake and eat it.
Alex Edwards
London
United Kingdom
Your loss
Sir-- Commendations to Dina Ezzat for presenting a realistic overview of contemporary Egypt-Sudan relations on the popular level in 'Where Are You?' ( Al-Ahram Weekly 30 March-5 April). It seems that Egypt has not been able to consolidate its water-based interests in Sudan into a tangible, popular, respectable, equally mutually beneficial relationship with the Sudanese. It is indeed the perceived chauvinism and condescension by Egyptians to Sudanese affairs that is the cause of the mutual lack of interest and affection. In a globalised world, many states apart from Egypt, in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America, take an active intellectual, cultural, geographic and of course economic interest in Sudan. Their academics visit Sudan's regions, their media corporations take an active interest in all aspects of the country, their governments and NGOs sponsor Sudanese cultural events. Egypt's loss is the rest of the world's gain.
Salah Satti
Khartoum
Sudan
The same boys
Sir-- My thoughts and prayers go out to the Hamdi family. My son also lost his life to the choking game ('Death or dare' Al-Ahram Weekly 30 March-5 April). Even though we are miles apart, our children were exactly alike. Thank you for printing this in your newspaper and help us spread awareness about how dangerous this activity is. If we had only known, our children would be with us today.
Mary Janssen
Colorado
USA
Park interference
Sir-- I read with sadness 'No music in the park' by Rania Khallaf ( Al-Ahram Weekly 16-23 March) on the restrictions imposed on activities in Al-Azhar Park. I visit Cairo a few times a year and always look forward to a few visits to Al-Azhar Park. I have introduced the park to many friends from various countries and they have thoroughly enjoyed this oasis in the middle of Cairo. It is so well maintained with all the cultural events that expose the best of Islamic culture (including music) to Muslims and non-Muslims. The park is well controlled in terms of security and the appropriateness of activities. Why would someone or an organisation want to interfere in something that makes Cairo an inviting place? I hope that good sense, judgment and foresight prevail.
Minaz Shariff
Calgary
Canada
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