Commentary by the Tunis Afrique Presse Agency concerning the postponement of Arab Summit (Important)

Commentary by the Tunis Afrique Presse Agency concerning the postponement of Arab Summit

Tunis, 27 March 2004 (TAP)-- At a time when the Arab realities do not really need any description, in view of the numerous crises facing the Arab world and the requirements and challenges that must be taken up by all Arab countries, and after having mobilized all its political, material and human capacities to host the Arab Summit and to ensure its success and the adoption of decisions that respond to the aspirations of the Arab peoples who look forward to the Tunis Summit to constitute a turning point that represents a quantum leap in the process of consolidating common Arab action, at that very time, the Arabs miss another opportunity to appear before the world as an active regional grouping, capable of adapting to the changes surrounding it and of integrating within this crucial historical moment.

Tunisia, which has insisted on holding this Summit at the date set for it, regrets its postponement, due to questions that should not, in fact, have constituted a source of disagreement and controversy, especially that they lie at the core of Arab citizens' concerns and expectations.

In the amendment it proposed to the draft "Treaty of Entente and Solidarity among the Leaders of Arab States", the first document in which the Arab Leaders take a commitment before God and before their peoples, and which they signed and to which they declared their commitment, Tunisia has insisted that the Treaty clearly announce the commitment to pursue comprehensive reform in Arab countries in all political, social, cultural and educational fields, especially the consolidation of democracy and the freedom of expression, the promotion of the role of civil society, the protection of human rights, the enhancement of Arab women's role in building society-which agrees with our religion and civilizational values, and the commitment to the noble universal principles as well as to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the various international conventions and charters.

In its project, Tunisia has underlined the necessity to emphasize the Arabs' commitment to the values of tolerance and concord and to the principle of dialogue among civilizations, their total rejection of extremism, fanaticism, violence and terrorism, and their determination to stand against these phenomena within a context of international cooperation and solidarity, in order to root out their causes.

Despite the fact that the Tunisian proposals have won the support of a number of Arab countries, we are surprised as to the insistence of some other countries on marginalizing these questions that are fundamental, crucial and important for the process of development, modernization and reform within our Arab societies. Tunisia considers it necessary to include these questions within the Summit documents and to reach a consensus concerning them. This was, in fact, the position of the countries which supported the Tunisian project.

While expressing its regret for the Arab countries' missing of this opportunity to appear as a great civilizational group and an active regional bloc, especially within this delicate juncture marked by complex challenges requiring practical solutions, instead of rhetorical speeches, and necessitating rational political approaches that are closer to the concerns of Arab citizens and more responsive to their aspirations, our country remains steadfast in its belief that the questions it has proposed do provide Arab countries with the necessary internal invulnerability and immunity to face up to the various external challenges, in an age when there is no place for those who fail to adapt to the prevailing universal values and principles.

For instance, it is surprising that we do not find in the draft "Treaty", in its version before proposing the Tunisian amendment, any mention of the word "democracy." The absence of this word carries, in itself, significances that need no explanation. This is, in reality, not surprising, given the absence of other concepts and principles such as the role of civil society, the dialogue of civilizations, the fight against terrorism, … .

The Tunisian experience in the field of change and reform has, in fact, proved the importance of being committed to these principles and of working for their materialization, in achieving comprehensive development in its political and social dimensions, and in establishing a nationally successful model. This experience underlies Tunisia's firm belief that the same principles are capable of establishing a successful Arab model.

Tunisia, which has constantly endeavored, since the Change of November 7, 1987, to consecrate its Arab belonging and to promote and consolidate the mechanisms of common Arab action, both through its bilateral relations and in the framework of the Arab League, and has spared no effort to ensure Arab consensus on the constant tenets of the Arab Nation and to serve its crucial causes, in the forefront of which the cause of the Palestinian people, will pursue its action in favor of all that can materialize the aspirations of Arab peoples for solidarity, complementarity and interdependence of interests.

Some Arab countries are insisting on real reforms, even at the cost of the traditional public show of Arab/Muslim unity. This is real progress, the upside of Bush's WoT and should be shouted from the rooftops.

The media is studiously ignoring the import of this event, as it boosts the strategic thinking of Team Bush during an election cycle.

You are right the media is ignoring this. I don't think they have the intellectual capacity to cover, consider or evaluate the actual significant events that are going on in the world. Instead they prefer the likes of Clarke, not just for his agenda, but also for his rather unremarkable views. The media can't tell the architects and designers from the handymen.

"This is real progress, the upside of Bush's WoT and should be shouted from the rooftops."

When shouting, use shorter sentences.

When navigating this word puzzle, I had to take frequent readings, mid-sentence, to ascertain my location on the political oceans.

I had thought it obvious the text had been translated from the French. This is from Tunis after all. Is this really that hard to read? Freepers are rumored to be quite intelligent.....

I'm no expert, but are you quite certain about "and bereft of any errors in English I believe."?

Nonetheless, it's a hopeful sign.
Despite the uncomfortable translation from freak to English, it is nice to know that someone in the area understands that there is a shortfall, somewhere, in the islamic thought process.

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