Arab Ministers Endorse Concept of Democracy (Bush Mid-East Strategy Working)

reuters ^ | 5/10/04 | reuters

[Mark Felton]

CAIRO (Reuters) - Arab foreign ministers Monday endorsed the concept of democracy and human rights in a document prepared for an Arab summit expected to take place in Tunis this month, the Algerian foreign minister said.

Abdelaziz Belkhadem told reporters after three days of talks at Arab League headquarters that the document also called for an independent judiciary and promoting civil society, and covered the status of women in the Arab world.

"The most important features of the draft declaration is that it asserts the need to develop the Arab system of government and civil society ... in the field of deepening the practice of democracy," Belkhadem said.

Arab League documents have rarely if ever called for internal political changes inside Arab countries, which the league has traditionally considered a domestic matter.

Arab ministers have denied any link, but the document on political reform follows President Bush's campaign for democracy in the Arab world.

An Arab summit in Tunis in March was expected to prepare an indirect response to the U.S. campaign, but the Tunisian government called off the meeting, saying some countries were not being progressive enough about reform.

The Tunisians said they specifically wanted the summit to endorse democracy, civil society and the rights of women. Some Arab delegates disputed Tunisia's commitment to these goals, saying it was among the more repressive Arab countries.

In a separate document approved by the ministerial meeting, the Arab foreign ministers said Arab governments were committed to comprehensive political, economic, social, cultural and educational reform for the sake of development.

It said the governments would "reinforce the spirit of citizenship and equality, expand the field of participation in public affairs and support freedom of responsible expression."

The document also mentions human rights and the role of women and said this was "in conformity with our beliefs, values and cultural traditions." It does not mention democracy.

© Reuters 2004. All Rights Reserved.

[Mark Felton]

Bush's Mid-East strategy is revolutionary and it is working.

This is bigger than Nixon and China.

[lilylangtree]

Democracy in Arab countries is an oxymoron. That concept will go down in flaming defeat.

[onedoug]

We'll see.

[yonif]

Nothing but hot air in my opinion. These dictators will not give up their terrorism nor their regimes.

For one, democracy for them will mean more rights for Muslims. Non-muslims will still have no rights and be repressed.

I will believe it when I see it.

[ken5050]

Could I possibly suggest to you, not wanting to confront your pessimism directly, that the very fact that the statement was issued, means, dare I say it, that "the camel's nose is under the tent?"

[Rocket1968]

Later.

[Blzbba]

"Arab foreign ministers Monday endorsed the concept of democracy and human rights in a document prepared for an Arab summit expected to take place in Tunis this month, the Algerian foreign minister said.

The document also mentions human rights and the role of women and said this was "in conformity with our beliefs, values and cultural traditions." It does not mention democracy. "

So do they endorse it or not?

[normy]

Makes sense, I mean if the Arabs want to destroy Israel the best way is to make nice with America for 5 or 6 years. Show signs of change. Make demands of Israel that Israel refuses and get us on their side.

Hey we have our military already over there. Once we have a President in office who has no religous reason to support Israel why would we help them?

Right now they are the only democracy going over there. If Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia decide to change to "democratic gov'ts" also ,what would be our reason to support Israel.

Christians may want to for religous reasons but why would a Kerry or Clinton want to?

[familyop]

Yes, it's working!

BTTT!

And we have our duty, too. Freep this call for comments, please. Our US socialist Democrats are misinforming the Britons. Thank you.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/3693463.stm

[AntiGuv]

For one, democracy for them will mean more rights for Muslims.

I don't approve of oppressing minorities, to say the least, but check this out (from CIA Factbook).

Afghanistan: 99% Muslim
Algeria: 99% Muslim
Bahrain: 100% Muslim
Egypt: 94% Muslim
Iran: 99% Muslim
Iraq: 97% Muslim
Jordan: 94% Muslim
Kuwait: 95% Muslim
Lebanon: 70% Muslim
Libya: 97% Muslim
Morocco: 99% Muslim
Oman: 99% Muslim
Pakistan: 97% Muslim
Qatar: 95% Muslim
Saudi Arabia: 100% Muslim
Syria: 90% Muslim
Tunisia: 98% Muslim
Turkey: 99.8% Muslim
United Arab Emirates: 96% Muslim
Yemen: 99% Muslim

They could do worse than "just" more rights for Muslims..

PS. I realize some of these are not Arab nations.

[river rat]

Big F'ing Deal....
This "document" with Arabs is worthless and unenforceable..
Nothing will change at the hands of Arabs...
The only change will come after the destruction of Militant Islam...

Semper Fi

[commandante_zero]

I'm reminded of the old Life cereal commercial:

"You try it"

"You go first."

"I ain't gonna try it. You try it."

All we need to do is find a Mikey to try it first.