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To: sinkspur; Sabramerican
Rice insisted Hamas be allowed to run...How do you have democratic elections when you preclude one party from running?...Your examples are unconvincing.

Hamas can't run a slate here in the US, nor can any other terrorist group, we have democratic elections.

The participation of armed groups in elections was banned under Oslo. Parties participating in elections had to be approved both by the PA and Israel. The US didn't allow al Qaida to run a slate in Afghanistan, or in Iraq. We did push for Hamas in the PA, Hizbollah in Lebanon, al Sadr in Iraq, and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. So far no one is dying in Egypt, but imo it was a mistake as well.

Frankly GWB's emphasis on "Democracy", as defined by single elections, is incomplete. Seems to me "Democracy" must also include political and religious freedoms, a unitary system of governance and justice, and a demonstrated ability to transfer power peacefully. Terrorist groups don't fit in that equation.

246 posted on 07/27/2006 1:02:52 PM PDT by SJackson (The Pilgrims—Doing the jobs Native Americans wouldn’t do!)
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To: SJackson
GWB's emphasis on "Democracy", as defined by single elections, is incomplete. Seems to me "Democracy" must also include political and religious freedoms, a unitary system of governance and justice, and a demonstrated ability to transfer power peacefully. Terrorist groups don't fit in that equation.

You're exactly right! Nor does it fit most of these countries, because they can turn around and with a majority 'democratically' elect an evil person and system.

255 posted on 07/27/2006 2:56:02 PM PDT by gentlestrength
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