Readers' corner
Not automatic
Sir-- With regard to 'Democracy revisited' ( Al-Ahram Weekly 6-12 April) Mr Galal Nassar states that the United States is punishing the Palestinians for taking advantage of democratic elections. I think many Middle Easterners mistakenly think that our support for the democratic process means we will automatically support any result of that process. We have no quibble with the elections whatsoever and are glad the Palestinians have finally been able to vote for their choice. However, even if we were permitted by law, few in this country are likely to respond positively to demands from Hamas. Do you or your country send aid to governments that have explicitly threatened you and your allies? Only a fool would do that. And only a bigger fool would think that we're somehow obligated to fund violence.
Bill Lewis
Boston
USA
For Muslims, too
Sir-- Why do so many Muslims fail to see that the freedoms available in Western countries -- freedom of speech, of worship, of assembly, of publication -- protect not only Westerners but Muslims living in the West. Muslims are free to speak critically of the West, to write criticisms of Christianity or Judaism, to worship, build mosques, convert, or create organisations because the West respects their right to do so.
Denis MacEoin
Newcastle
UK
Blame elsewhere
Sir-- Neither Islam nor the Muslims are to blame for lack of democracy in the Islamic world. If Muslims are not represented by their governments, and their governments answer more to the West than to their own populations, how are Islam or the Muslims to blame [for the lack of democracy]?
Muhammad Asadi
Massachusetts
USA
Worried about Iran
Sir-- I am dismayed at comments of some of your politicians in endorsing the prospect of Iran to obtain nuclear armaments ('United against empire' Al-Ahram Weekly 30 March-5 April). Iran is to be considered an unstable country led by a head of state who does not inspire any confidence or trust, especially after recent comments.
Jones Serino
Watford
UK
At the bottom
Sir-- It is most ironic that President Bush -- who has vowed to "get to the bottom of the leak case," and whose administration's pathological obsession with secrecy is well known -- should himself turn out to be at the bottom of part of it, according to the testimony of Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff. But it is hardly surprising, given the Bush-Cheney regime's consistent track record of lawlessness and dishonesty, particularly with respect to its predetermined decision to invade Iraq and its long-standing effort to skew the record and cook the books in order to justify taking the country to war under false pretenses. Such selective misuse of classified intelligence information by government policy makers to mislead the public is antithetical to the requirements of both democracy and the rule of law.
Amr Wagdy
Cairo
Egypt
Different language
Sir-- Israel's new man does not speak about peace with the Palestinians because he seeks a unilateral disengagement from them, pledging to complete the 450-mile apartheid wall.
Mr Olmert sees no partner on the other side, stating that "Israel will take control of its own fate." What is highly depressing is to hear voices in Israel and America advocating unilateral withdrawal as the best resort after Hamas's victory without realising that it will be catastrophic. It will annex almost 50 per cent of the West Bank, doubling Palestinian suffering, and deprive them of the right to regain their lands.
Hence, it is up to politicians and decision- makers in Israel to revise their policies and offer courageous initiatives. We urge our government to intensify its efforts and push forward to encourage the parties to return to the negotiating table.
Alaa Abdel-Hakim
Assiut
Egypt
Odd twist
Sir-- I expected from someone who is a professor of law and a former presidential candidate to protect the law, not deform it, enforce it, not defame it.
Ahmed Abdel-Tawwab
Cairo
Egypt
Saviour of thousands
Sir-- It is indeed a tragedy that some 100,000 Iraqis have died in the mayhem unleashed by the enemies of peace since the fall of Saddam ('Wake up America' Al-Ahram Weekly 23-29 March). Let us not forget though, that this number of deaths is a vast reduction from the numbers killed while the Ba'athists were in power in Iraq. Saddam launched three unprovoked wars against his neighbours, and killed about two million of his own people during his decades-long reign. For all the mistakes that the USA has made in Iraq, they have saved many thousands of lives by ending the rule of this vicious regime.
John Randolph
California
USA
The problem with Bush
Sir-- The mere fact that Andrew Card is gone presents the question, will that make a difference? That's not going to make any difference. All those Washington pundits who were urging Bush to make a change in his White House staff are missing the point. The problem with Bush isn't his chief of staff. The problem with Bush is Bush. He's inattentive. He's boastfully anti-intellectual. He's hopelessly ideological. He's messianic. And he's bull-headed. That's not a good combination. And on top of that, he's let Cheney seize so much power that he's turned himself into a virtual figurehead. If you think Josh Bolten will be able to control Cheney (or Rumsfeld or Karl Rove, for that matter), you're kidding yourself. Nothing's going to get better in the White House so long as Cheney is at the controls, and so long as Bush carries water for corporations and the far right, and so long as he continues to believe that he's carrying out God's will in Iraq or Iran, or wherever he wants to attack next. And shamelessly he carries on in the name of "democracy".
Democracy is probably one of the most frequently used words and the most highly misunderstood. To the uninformed few, and to those with an agenda, democracy is an invention of the United States that has been used to badger and subjugate other states in their imperialistic global designs. Democracy in essence is simply the right of a people to choose their own government through elections, at regular intervals, and in a multi-party environment.
Nadhir Dean
Ontario
Canada
Unhappy ending
Sir-- Excellent synopsis of the situation ('Scenarios of an American strike' Al-Ahram Weekly 30 March-5 April). Well written and well thought out. And I hope for the sake of both our cultures that we can move beyond the moronic despotism of the Bush administration. He has been a catastrophe for my country as well as the world. I am not sure how it all will end, but I am afraid very badly.
Aaron Hayson
Florida
USA
Without being bothered
Sir-- I was very recently at Giza, accompanying a friend from out of town. It had been at least a year since I had last walked around the plateau. The air was almost crisp, the deep blue sky spotted with ballooning, vagabonding clouds. There was that magic one experiences only in glorious places.
As usual, there were plenty of tourist buses, groups, and school children, photographing, descending into the tombs, and playing at the foot of the pyramids.
Yet something was very wonderfully different. We were neither followed around nor accosted by irritating "do you want camel ride, good price" or abused horses. We could spot people galloping off into the desert and heads bobbing up and down on camel backs, but only from a distance. The plateau felt quieter and we could enjoy our walk, alone, in peace.
I thought this was worth mentioning, not just because of my personal experience but also because I have very often heard tourists and Cairo residents alike complain about the way they were hassled around the plateau by men renting out their -- abused no less -- camels and horses.
If this is a decision taken by Mr Zaki Hawass, thank you Mr Hawass.
Ingrid Cosentino
Bucharest
Romania
Morocco the best
Sir-- I really enjoyed reading this lovely article on this terrific performer ('Morocco: of will and kismet' Al-Ahram Weekly 6-12 April). She is not only a fabulous artist of raks sharki, but a wonderful person as well. Morocco is an inspiration to all.
Soraya El-Khouby
New Jersey
USA
Recommend
Comment
Printer-friendly
