| Khaled M. Batarfi interacting with readers aljazeerah.info | ||
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What does America want, what do we want,
Khaled M. Batarfi interacting with readers Sent to Al-Jazeerah by Khaled M Batarfi on April 29, 2003
Dear All, Thanks for your following notes. They are helpful. My next article will certainly reflect many of your suggestions and explanations. By the way, I would like to invite you to US-Arabs Peace Project email list. This is a forum for open-minded and tolerant discussion about how best to achieve peace, freedom and democracy in the Middle East, and to build a West-Arab bridge of understanding and cooperation between our countries, peoples and civilizations. You may choose to participate via email and/or web site, and may self-unsubscribe at any point of time. Please let me know if you would like to join. Salam, Peace Khaled M. Batarfi-----Original
Message----- I simply loved your colum! Let me tell you who I am: I am a married American, 28 yrs of age. I have been called a 'hawk' I am a conservative Republican; voted for Bush. I plan to do so again in 2004. I was for going into Iraq, I'm not naive enough to believe the US 'line' but I do believe that it was a sufficient threat and if anybody was going to do it that it would be us. I'm glad it was us instead of Mr. Putin. I am heartened by your candor and openness. Perhaps it is through dialogue from good folks such as yourself and those in America that citizens and intellectuals may by-pass much of the propaganda from both sides and use this new form of world-wide communication to bring about a better awareness of our brothers in the East. My heart has been cold towards Muslims since that September day, but I recognise that greater cultural engagement is unavoidable, and doesn't have to be as horrible once sensible people are in control. I easily agree with all of your reasonable requests from America except the 3rd. I travel back and forth between the Kingdom and the U.S., with my Saudi counterparts, and I have more trouble in Jeddah than he does in NYC. The U.S. has been *extremely* lax in boarder security. Anyone who's been here knows that it's not easy to find a first-world nation that is as lax about homeland-security vis a' vis boarders and travel/business/student visas. While you can hop on a plane and visit the U.S. as a tourist, I can't even come see the beautiful sights of Saudi Arabia unless I have a specific business or familial purpose. I propose a cultural exchange! We are a top 3 host of Middle-Eastern travellers...still. So, it must not be that bad while we fight this war okay? Please be patient with us....I think overall we're doing pretty good...my country has come a long way. In days past, we would be paranoid and racist rather than prudent and understanding. May I suggest a few points to answer what you may do for us? First: It is well past time for the vast percentage of 'good muslims' to stand up and set themselves apart from this force of evil that it amongst you. There, I said it. You guys could make it alot harder to take *any* action against *any* Arab or Muslim country if you acted like your people openly and actively condemned terrorism with no additional modifications. Recognise that in some respects, you need to clean house over there. Your holy mosques have been invaded by those who shun the teachings of Mohammed (Peace be upon him) and preach death to my family. Some of these people have come to live in my country and have killed thousands. Terrorists can only come about in a society that tolerates the teaching of hate. We know you are there, and we know you have the decency and moral courage to make *YOUR* opinion the guiding force rather than the opinion of the extreme elements. Indeed, let us both pull in the reins of the very few on each of our sides who would plunge us majority into chaos. Generations ago, my Grandparents and Parents finally began to right many of the past wrongs with our Black brothers and sisters. It was religion that these people used to justify their hate, and ironically it was a minister that revolutionized America: Dr. Martin Luther King. Islam needs its Dr. Martin Luther King...it's Ghandi. Someone to symbolize and embolden those that understand true Islam to overcome the old and violent ways of the past. Second: When communicating with us, understand Western 'truth'. There's a dangerous trend going on in the West, and nobody sees it yet. We have seen instance after instance of Arabs emotionally threatening 'martyrdom' and suicide attacks, information ministers forging alternate realities at press conferences with little to come of it. One thing about us Americans/Westerners...when we say we're going to come after you--it happens. Again, when our Arab brothers want to stress a point to us while in diplomacy, we find it hard to read what are emotions, and what are actual truths. Third: We do *not* hate you! Believe it or not, our country is moved at the sight of Iraqi and Palestinian suffering. We feel loss when we see civilian deaths....(or any deaths, for many of those Iraqi soldiers had more reason to hate that regime than we could imagine). We do temper the suffering with the knowlege that only by bringing effective force can we end what is unbelievably an even greater and heinous amount of killing. It's a horrible situation that nobody would choose to be in, but it's the situation in which we find ourselves. Forth: There are no zionist puppet-masters dictating U.S. policy. We have made so many mistakes with each other over the years that you'd think there was a conspiracy, but no, our leaders alone are responsible. Our interest in Israel is to turn the volume down over there. That means a Palestinian state, a secure Israel, and an end to the terrorism, fanaticism and violence from both sides. On the other hand, your leaders do not have as much motivation to see a peaceful Palestinian solution, for as long as the Palestinians sit shivering in their refugee camps, subject to violence at any time, they can deflect attention from their failing regimes, which brings me to my last point. Fifth: We have made serious errors in the past vis a' vis the Middle-East. From the 'Shah' of Iran to turning our back on Democracy in Pakistan. However, I think we have a valid point with this 'Democracy' thing. Your people deserve governments who are worthy of you. At one time, the Arab empire was the most enlightened the Earth had ever seen. Shed the ties of tribalism, and help steer your culture from that of death and absolutism. Help let us know what we can do in Iraq. We have the money, and good intentions, but we need *your* help to make Iraq a place that the Iraqis deserve. Sixth: Sharon and Arafat are terrorists, let's lock them away and have a do-over' shall we? (if it were only that easy!). Peace to you sir, if I can be heartened by your words, then I have courage that all is not lost. Take Care! -James Miller Florida, USA
-----Original Message----- From: Harold French [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 12:31 PM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: What Americans want: my two cents worth Dear Dr. Batarfi, Asslamu Alaikum! A recent _Arab News_ article, you wrote, "I would like to hear from my American friends, readers, and officials what the US, country and people, want from us." I offer you my subjective opinion, but before I do that it may be advantageous to tell you a bit about myself. I am not rich by US standards. I am not a government official. I am a white, native born American man, married, 48 years of age, with three children. I work in a cardboard box factory, making boxes, up to 60 hours a week. I am neither Christian nor Muslim, but I do view Islam, at least as I know it, favorably. I do occasionally go to the local mosque on Fridays. Though I am an individual, I am, by any objective standard, just a normal, average American. I believe there is no single motivation for the actions and policies of the US. Correspondingly, there is no single thing the people of the US want. The US is too diverse. For example, do I think there are some powerful people in this country that want to be instant members of OPEC? Yes. Do I think that there are some zealous Christians that wish a modern crusade? Yes. But I do not think that the zealous Christians want the oil. Please note, though, that both groups can agree upon the "need" to invade Iraq. Multiply this diversity by a thousand times, and you have what the US wants. The only sound conclusion the Arab world, and more generally Muslims, can reach is that the US, as a whole, cannot be pleased. However, I would point out that most Americans are just like me. We work; we eat; we sleep. We want better future for our children; we care for our aging parents. We try to be honest, live peacefully, and do the right things. We are not perfect. I cannot speak for all Americans, but I think the single thing most Americans want is to not be afraid of attack. For example, I would love to see Saudi Arabia, but I never will because I believe that some professed "Muslim" man would take out a gun and shoot me in the back of the head as I shop in the marketplace for no other reason than the fact that I am American. Why shoot me? I am not the enemy. So what do Americans want? I believe that Americans, in general, want to be rid of that kind of fear. And it is the various reactions to that fear, exploited and manipulated by those with an agenda, that makes the US an angry, aggressive, and sometimes irrational nation. Sincerely yours, Harold E. French Jr.
-----Original Message----- From: Jefferey Farrell [mailto] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 10:24 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: What does America Want? Assalamu alaikum Dr. Batarfi, Thank you for your article which appeared in ArabNews.com today. I was very delighted to see someone of your caliber had the same views I have been expressing to so many leaders and officials since before the war in Iraq began. I hope you don't object, but I emailed the article to many of my contacts, including the Kind of Jordan, the King of Saudi Arabia, Nelson Mandella, and many members of the United Nations. Allah must have blessed you. Thank you for your words.
Jeffar Portland, Oregon, USA -----Original Message----- From: Reem Asaad [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 9:36 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: Reader's comment: Black Hole Dear Dr. Batarfi: In response to your article entitled What Does America Want? What Do We Want?, I felt an urge to make my comment. Your write-up bore different emotional tones to it, wavering between firm resolution demands and sensational feelings toward America. Nothing wrong with that, since I am American / Saudi educated myself and quite understanding of your attempt for objectivity. However, an average reader would get a sense of confusion. Secondly and most importantly, the third point you made: "We need good partnership. America has a lot to offer and benefit from. It needs a stable region, oil flow and prices; we need technology transfer, access to US markets, and economic cooperation". That is where I have strong feelings. Although our relation with the US needs to be symbiotic, I am a firm supporter of our independence. Cultural independence is not what I'm referring to here. Being a investment specialist and a banker, I am saddened by our financial dependence on the US. We need to import their technology, their systems and their scientific approach to problem solving. True. But above all that, we need to diversify our sources too. Our funds contribute to making the largest world economy only larger. It's in fact ballooning out of proportion which might have triggered greed and imperialistic sense in being. Tell me about political agendas and secret treaties. I cannot assert that America has colonial intentions since I'm not a historian, however I would strongly assert its capitalistic mindset that's stretching out widely to the extent of hurting other nations. We the Saudis and oil rich nations contributed to feeding that economy, and therefore must start diversifying. Our trade, educational and cultural exchange, need to come from other sources. I'm a big fan of the Far East for instance, unless "logistic issues" stand in the way we must begin moving beyond the American borders. Dear Dr. Batarfi, we are getting sucked into a black hole. Your article revolved about this point. I need your answer. Thank you. Regards, Reem Asaad, MBA
-----Original Message----- From: Howard Bland [mailto:] Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2003 2:17 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: Roadmap for Palestine/Israel Khaled: Follows is an (unofficial) piece purporting to be a draft of the “roadmap.” Its source is The Washington Institute for Near East Policy (http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/media/outside/roadmap.htm). Since I haven’t seen an official copy at the UN site, the US State Department site or another official source, it may or may not be accurate. The veracity of the publisher of the web site is good, but, this is the Internet… If all elements of this plan are implemented with equity, there is a real possibility that the plan outlined by these key points is workable. Obviously, the “if” is a critical factor. I am not hardly convinced that both the official Palestinian “government” and the Israeli government would not fall prey to provocateurs that would do whatever is needed to undermine this plan (I am not talking about naysayers, but about genuine attempts to sabotage the plan). Khaled, let me ask you, as an educated man that lives in the area. Although I am sure that some of the governments in your area would want some changes in timelines, guarantees, or other procedural issues (in America we doom many plans to a syndrome called “NIH” – “not invented here”), do you think that something along this lines might be acceptable -- if it was actually implemented? (Once again, I know you are a private person like I am, but you are far more familiar with the intimate workings of your country’s governmental circles than I am) I’m actually curious to hear what your opinion is on this…. Howard
-----Original Message----- From: NancyGee [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 3:37 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: What does America want Over-cautious security measures while understandable in the past should now be reassessed.
Forget it. It's not gonna happen. Get used to it. We don't want Arabs as visitors. We don't want Arabs as students. We don't want Arabs as immigrants. And we're leery about Arabs as investors. We can be perfectly fine partners if you stay over there and we stay over here. We'll communicate by smoke signal and thought waves.
Unless you misbehave again, and we have to come visiting with our tanks, and humvees, and Abrams. Again.
Then, what America wants will be the same thing as we just got, and can best be described as "hot knife through soft butter".
So this vaunted "peace" that you keep proclaiming and wishing for and urging upon us is solely and entirely up to you and what you do to maintain it. But don't be trying to import your idea of peace here and bring it into the United States. Because we don't want it, we don't need it, and we won't take it. And we *really* don't want another bunch of "peaceful" Muslims like Mr. Atta, et al, taking advantage of our blind warmth and hospitality. Again -- get used to it.
Regardless -- Nancy
NahnCee LA, CA, USA
-----Original Message----- From: Paul Milligan [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 3:46 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: Some things we want Since you asked, in your article - 'What do Americans want ?' The question is more easily answered in terms of 'what we don't want'. We don't want to occupy your countries. We don't want to be your new government. Witness Germany and Japan - we beat them after they attacked us and their neighbors, and gave their countries back to their people, from the dictators had stolen them. We don't want to take anything from you by force, such as your oil. You can not name one place on earth where America has taken over a country and stolen their natural assets. We do not plan to start now. We engage in business, not war, to obtain resources we desire. We don't want your citizens, whether with or without state approval, suicide-bombing us, and running planes into our buildings. We are so opposed to this, we can and will do anything and everything to stop it. We will destroy the organizations that do these things, and anytime it is necessary, will we destroy any government that supports these groups and these things. We do not want to see millions of your people screaming in the streets like lunatics about how much they hate America. They have the right to do this, and we will not attack them because of it, but it makes us not like them, and it makes us distrust them. How much do you like and trust anyone who screams that he wants to kill you? Are we that different in this regard? We do not want to force you to follow any religion other than what you may choose, and we do not want you to establish a world where we are forced to follow your religion. Is this so unreasonable? So, it's very simple : stop trying to kill us, and stop trying to force your religion down everyone's throats. That's about all you have to do. Oh - one more thing - when we free one of your countries from an evil dictator, and liberate the people to be free to govern themselves, and to benefit from the resources that the dictator used to steal from them and build palaces with, you might try saying 'thank you' instead of whining and complaining and protesting against us in the streets. It's optional, but it would be nice. Paul -----Original Message----- From: Dave Butcher, APR [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 4:00 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: an American responds Dear Dr. Batarfi, (Dear Dave: You missed understood me. I meant WE: Arabs and Americans. Khaled Batarfi)
Regarding your April 27 editorial, here are my thoughts. I sincerely hope they help.
You write: "We need peace; We need reforms; We need good partnership."
There is a well known and prideful phrase in America. It is "Built with my own two hands." The phrase is usually associated with "I built my home with my own two hands," or "I built my business with my own two hands." Because America was built by its people (with its own two hands so to speak) without help from other countries, Americans do not really understand and perhaps do not really respect a person or a people who "needs." I am sure you can understand that is humbling to have to depend on others to provide for your "needs." It causes a loss of self-esteem. It is much better to provide for your needs by your own efforts.
I think that is why there is so much sadness in the Arab world. For whatever reason, many Arabs have not build much with their own two hands. I am sure you look around at your friends and associates to see if this is true.
Best wishes,
David J. Butcher St. Petersburg, Fla. -----Original Message----- From: Sal Monella [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 4:28 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: What we want from you. From your article: Next, I would like to hear from my American friends, readers, and officials what the US, country and people, want from us. This communication line will be my two-cent contribution to better Arab-US understanding, trust and friendship.
Ok, you want to know: 1. The dissolution of the Absolute Saudi Monarchy. If you want to maintain a ceremonial monarchy for tourism as the British do fine, but the absolutist Saudi Monarchy must go. 2. The establishment of Separation of Church and Mosque from State. Unelected and ignorant Islamic Clerics imposing sharia law on Muslim and Non Muslim alike must go. The Era of the Islamic State must end. 3. The creation of a Saudi Constitution guaranteeing individual Freedoms to Worship, and Speech, with a Bill of Rights guaranteeing equal rights to Muslim and Non Muslim alike. 4. The end of all discriminatory practices against non Muslims in Saudi Arabia, including bans on open worship of non muslim religions and bans on travel to Mecca and Medina. 5. A constitution which bans all discrimination based on Sex, Ethnicity or Religion including full rights for women. 6. The end of Saudi Ethnic Cleansing. As you know the final goal of those who seek to implement Ethnic Cleansing is to establish a monolithic society in which all citizens are of one faith, one political persuasion, one social, economic and moral attitude without a dissenting or opposing population. In short, Ethnic Cleansing is an attempt to establish a society which mimics Saudi Arabian Society where only Wahhabi Islam is permitted, political dissent is non existent, there is no tolerance for alternative lifestyles and all other forms of non muslim worship is forbidden. The Xenophobia of Saudi Arabian society is the "sine qua non" of an Ethnically Cleansed society. Do you not see the contradiction in your professed concerns and the realities of the life you lead in an insular, closed society? I am much more confident of America being able to deliver on your list of "Wants" than I am of your even attempting to provide us what we want. Dear Sal, You made very good suggestions. But some look like you want us to just paste and copy your system. Anyway, my question was about what you want from us, not what you want for us. Thanks for the effort, (and the insults) anyway. Salam, Khaled
-----Original Message----- From: jerry stroud [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 5:02 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: What America wants article Sir, I read you article and you and the Arab countries seem to not know anything about American history. In each country the US has been involved in, the countries end up better than before American involvement. In Japan and Germany we set up two strong democracies and funded their nations to start strond economies. You can say, "Yeah, yeah, we know all that. We have heard that a thousand times before." If the US was imperialistic we would still be in control of those countries, they are not. Look at Hungry, East Germany, Poland, and the other Iron Curtin countries. The Soviet Union occupied and controlled them until the Soviet Union fell apart from its own corruption and cruelty. In Kuwait, we free them with the support of Aran countries even though many critics accused us of wanting to wage war for oil. This was proven false and Kuwaitis are free and felt safe because of America's leadership and willingness to help them when others looked the other way in fear. Perhaps the only thing the US wants is for evil to fear us and for the good to be our friends. If you are good, you have no fear of the US. If there is evil in your heart, then the forces of evil may question our intentions due to fear. Jerry Stroud, Orlando, Florida
-----Original Message----- From: sam baldwin [mailto:sbaldwin@chartertn.net] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 5:20 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: what we in America want from the Middle East YOu asked what do we in America want from the people of the Middle East. I would say tollerance. I study history a lot. To me the middle east reminds me of the Christians in the Reformation of the 1600's. I read about how we are called infidels and many Moslems would never shake hands with an American. This show intollerance. If you compare living in America with living in lets say the Saudi Arabia there are many differences. The biggest difference is that in America someone from Saudi Arabia can practice his religion freely; while someone from America, who is a christian could never practice his religion freely in Saudi Arabia. The issue is acceptance and tollerance. The plan America has for the middle east is to begin to establish democracies within countries and require tollerance of others within countries and between countires. If it means many wars, then so be it. Me and most of my friends in America are tired of being attacked over and over again by Moslems who are intollerant therefor the plan is to get in the Middles East and change the region. If the Moslem plan is to attack America, then the America plan is come to you before you come to us. I read a lot in the Middles East media. Most article are terrible, they lack truth and they read like some tabloid. Its like lets see how Moslem can use the English language to attack America, without any reference to truth. Look at terms like Colonialism, America is not now and never has been a colonial power. America defeated Germany, France, England, Japan, Korea, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Canada and many others smaller countries and each and every one of them was left better than we found them and each and every one has there own independant government. Look at Kuwait, we took the land in 91 and gave it back to its rightful owners and we never took any of the oil. So all the talk about America is just talk designed incite the stupid who do not know history. In the past three months I have not seen a single article in any Tennessee newspapers that says anything bad about the people of the Middle East. Over the past two years I have read over 2000 article printed in Middle eastern newspapers that say nothing but bad things about America, and most are pure false articles. To make matters worse I have counted over 400 articles written by European Communist printed in the Middler Eastern papers that blame America for everything on the earth that is wrong. I have not read a single article written by a conservative christian in the Middle easter papers. So for me the issue is tollerance.
Your friend Sam Baldwin Tennessee, USA
-----Original Message----- From: Joel Glennon [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 7:34 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: I agree with your article that the first step in moving forward with relations between the Arab and the American people is peace. I also agree that the Palestinian issue needs to be resolved for that to happen. What I can’t understand is how that will be accomplished without fundamental changes within the Arab world. From our point of view, we see several Palestinians fighting with suicide attacks and vowing that anything less than a total demise of the Israelis will not be acceptable. On the other hand, there are several Arabs interviewed that want to talk and lay out plans as you have described. Until the Arabs agree on a direction, how can there ever be peace? -----Original Message----- From: Charles Davis [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 5:41 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: Superb Article Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi
Your article "What Does America Want? What Do We Want?" matches my beliefs perfectly. I liked your response to Australian ABC Radio, I liked what the Australian woman said. I think President Bush not his father is incredibly stupid, greedy and arrogant. I am ashamed that allot of our citizens in the U.S. support going to war with Iraq and support Bush.
I liked what you said that the war is "behind us now" and to give America the benefit of the doubt.
I am thrilled that I found this article through Google News and will bookmark this site. I am glad that there is a mind such as yours writing articles in the Mid East of Saudi Arabia.
Thanks so much CM Davis -----Original Message----- From: Brent [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 6:00 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: Great article at www.arabnews.com that you wrote Hello,
I'm an American and I just read your article I thought it was pretty good and since you did your part of telling America what Iraq needs/wants from America I'd guess I would do my part of telling you what Americans (people and government) want from Iraq.
The People: they don't want anything, no really. Well, at least nothing you could quantify anyways (in terms of money, property, etc). If they DO want anything it would to have an ally in what seems like (going by what you see on CNN and such anyways) an incredibly hostile part of the world, one which could act as a bridge between our two cultures and ease tensions so that there aren't any more 9/11s. In other words, peace.
The Government: They want peace, an ally, and a trading partner (and of course if said trading partner would be able to help The Government break up OPEC's oil trade hegemony or at least weaken it some than The Government would be very happy indeed...). Sinsiter conspiracy theories aside its safe to say that will want some sort of say in how Iraq's new government will be set up and will try and support a pro-West government, that being said I think they know the days of Marcos and co are over and they won't be able to pull a fast one over the Iraqi people, here is to hoping they don't try *crosses fingers*!!
PS: I hope I was of some help and I hope things work out for the Iraqi people for the best. -----Original Message----- From: Fltch0001 [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 6:15 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: What does America want? Dear Dr. Barafi, You wrote that you'd like to hear from people, so I'm writing. First, I want you to know that I start each day by looking not only at American news web sites but also other countries' so I can see both how they report the same story and to see what's important to them. I look at CNN, Moscownews.net, BBC, Jerusalem Post, Al Jazeera and Arab News. I am writing this letter to you as an American, although I am Jewish, too. Speaking for myself, I want, in the most general sense, peace. Obviously, that's much easier said than done. More specifically, though, in getting to that peace and in response to your article, there are a few things I would want. 1. As another writer on the Arab News site stated yesterday, I would like to see Arabs stop using the word "Israel" as the cause of all evils in the Arab world. This was not my idea, but rather of one of your writers; but I agree. Using Israel as a scapegoat is not only a cop out but also it results in a failure of people to examine the true causes of a problem and, without knowing the cause of a proble, the chance of solving it diminishes. Israel may be related to a number of issues, but it can't be the source of all problems. 2. A related but more serious thing that I want is for young Arabs and Muslims to stop being taught blind hatred. You mentioned the US' blind support for Israel. You may not know, but Americans are a mixture of people from all over the world, and we like to support the underdog. Notwithstanding their military, Americans view Israel as an underdog surrounded by much larger nations preaching hatred and death. I guarantee you that it is much easier to stop blind support for a country than it is to stop blind hatred. Also, I have to ask you, "If you had two friends, one of whom wanted to sell his car for $100 and the other who wanted to pay $10; and the prospective buyer asked you to help get the seller to accept his offer but you didn't feel the offer was fair, would you support the buyer even though you thought he was wrong? I'll guess not. So, then, has it occurred to anyone that maybe America sincerely believes the Palestinians are wrong in their approach and that's why we won't back them up?? Maybe, if the new Paletsinian government really does stop the terrorism, there will be something we can support. Personally, I would support a Palestinian state, dismantling many of the settlements (after all, if Arabs can live peacefully in Israel, why can't a few Israelis live peacefully in a Palestinian state) if the result is peace and security for all. So, the second thing I want is for Muslim and Arab teachers to stop training kids virtually from infancy to hate, and that death is good. There very well may be a heaven (I pray there is), but if we're all going to have an opportunity to go there at some point, why not enjoy as much time on Earth as possible. 3. Like a parent who sees their children doing something bad but says nothing, giving the children the belief that the parents condone what the children are doing, I want Arab leaders and Muslim clerics to be more vocal about condemning terrorism and hatred. Yes, it seems there is a gap between certain countries' leaders and the "street," but that is why the Muslim clerics need to take a more active role in preaching life, not death. It is difficult for Americans to support people who preach death and hatred. Like the parents who don't step in, Muslim and Arab leaders should step in and say, "No, this is wrong." They have not done that. Having said that, there is something I don't understand and maybe you can set me straight. There are lots of wonderful Muslims in the world. Let's start with that. And in every society and in every religion, there are some crazy and/or evil people. Timothy McVeigh who blew up the federal building in Oklahoma would be one of them. But there are so many Muslims in so many places trying to blow things up and kill people all in the name of Islam and the Koran, craziness can't explain it all. It seems as if there's something in the Koran that is being used -- or misused -- to encourage this kind of intolerance, hatred and rush to death. What is it? And if there's nothing in the Koran, isn't this truly a hijacking of a good faith that needs to be stopped? Respectfully, Fletch
-----Original Message----- From: Mark Anderson [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 7:07 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: What Does America Want? I am an American replying to your article "What Does America Want?" Your article begins by saying that America's war in Iraq is "a war led by an American administration driven by greed, religious convictions, ignorance and arrogance." Your article ends by saying "We really have no issue with America — less so with the American people." As an American, I would like to see the Arab world apply the second statement to their logic in the first statement. It is offensive to be accused of such awful things when you are actually doing the world a favor. I also don't appreciate is the Arab world's tendency to blame the "American administration" for everything America does. It is as if the "American administration" is an old man who has been running the country since 1776. One would think that George W. Bush dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki himself. But it wasn't him. Nor was it he who enslaved Africans, or massacred the Native Americans. In fact, there is no "American administration." There are only Americans who vote for the candidates they agree with, and against the ones they don't. There are the occasional lies and scandals (and lobbyists), but they are lessons we need to learn from and be held accountable for. It is the personal responsibility that all Americans have both for ourselves and for our nation's leaders that gives this nation its strength and vitality. It is condescending to treat us as naive children lead astray by some secret Zionist cabal. Finally, I would like to see the Arab world stop from seeing the world in black and white, and "us versus them." America has come a long way in learning to respect other cultures. When I read things calling Americans "infidels" and "barbarians", it goes against everything I have been raised to believe — that we are all equal. As long as this kind of closed-minded attitude is normal, how can there be any real understanding between us? Mark St. Paul, MN USA
-----Original Message----- From: Edward Murray [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 7:25 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: What Does America Want? What Do We Want? This was a war led by an American administration driven by greed, religious convictions, ignorance and arrogance.
It is probably impossible to sort out the motives of those behind the war from those who then gave support to it. If I had to guess, a lot of the motivation for the war was assuring stability of oil supplies (greed) by some very arrogant people who don't care what anyone thinks as long as they get their way--witness the last US election. I seriously doubt the leadership has any religious conviction. I haven't actually looked up the statistics, but traveling throughout the south in the US, there seems to be a direct correlation between the number of strip joints and Baptist churches. Religion if anything gives a veneer of respectability and nothing more.
At the level of the population supporting the war, I would again guess that there are probably three motives. The first is wanting to strike back against the helplessness of September 11th by people who probably can't point to Iraq on a map and would have a hard time explaining the difference between an Arab and a Muslim. Some of these people are truly religious and probably carry with them both sides of this: a desire to convert the heathen Muslim, plus a long history of antagonism against both Jew and Muslim. At the same time, a lot of people genuinely would like to help the people of Iraq get out from under an evil dictator. I think that runs deep and is at least equal to the number of people who want to "kick some Arab ass." The trouble is, not every Muslim and Arab understands matters this way. Unlike the last Gulf War, the soldiers who fought in Iraq were mostly Protestant Christians. I try to explain things to my audience. Fortunately, I am helped by the millions of anti-war Christians who demonstrated en masse and made their stand known to their leaders and the world.
The proof will be in the pudding. If the US does as you ask, then I think the Arab view of this will reflect that reality. Why wouldn't it?
These balance the realized fears: That we are unprepared for a power vacuum, lawlessness and ethnic-religious tension.
My guess is that all these fears disappear pretty quickly when the lights and water are turned back on and people can return to work and are not living in fear of where their family's next meal will come from assuming, of course, that the US gets the troops out quickly, hands over decision-making to Iraqis, and doesn't exploit the country in anyway.
Now that we are neighbors, we need to be on good terms. We need our stronger neighbor to maintain peace and stability, and our neighbor needs us to help out with the advertised project of making the region more democratic, advanced and peaceful for the benefit of its people, the US and the world. If we agree that we need each other for a better future, the question becomes: What do we want from America, and what does America want from us?
I would say to start, that the US has to realize, as you suggest above, that doing the right thing in Iraq will in fact result in a better life for the people of Iraq, stability in the region and that this is what we really wanted in purely geo-political terms out of the war. Any effort to set up a puppet government, or exploit Iraq economically for the benefit of the US will bounce back and negate any good that may have been done by getting rid of Saddam Hussein.
First: We need peace. You can’t have freedom and democracy, investment and prosperity in a war zone. What we know about the road map to peace is good enough to demand immediate publication and implementation. The Palestinians accepted the plan “as is”; the Israelis want to fundamentally change it. We expect the US to prove its good intentions and impartiality by demanding full acceptance and implementation from both parties, and rigorous supervision from the plan’s sponsors (the UN, the European Union, the US and Russia).
I would suggest that this is a separate issue from what needs to be done with respect to Iraq. Just looking at this without even knowing the details of the road map which has yet to be revealed, I find it hard to accept the notion that the US, Europe and Russia have any idea what is needed to resolve things between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Seems very colonial to me that a solution has to be imposed from the West, just as the US move into Iraq is clearly a latter day imperialism.
But, accepting that the Arab world has been unable to work out a satisfactory solution with Israel for the future of that area, just as the Arab world did nothing to help the Iraqi people get rid of Saddam Hussein, it probably makes sense for these countries to get together and propose a solution. While it may well be completely acceptable to the Palestinians as is, it doesn't make sense that this outside solution is necessarily the right solution for either the Palestinians or Israelis. I think what is far more important than sticking to a "roadmap" created by outsiders is that Israel, the Palestinians and the neighboring Arab countries all agree on something that is truly workable for both parties long into the future. If the proposal isn't acceptable as written by either Palestinian or Israeli, I see no reason whatsoever for imposing it as sacrosanct from outside. The right solution is one that all parties accept, not one created by others. This is as true for Iraq as it is for Israel-Palestine.
Second: We need reforms. Iraq is a test America cannot afford to fail. If Iraq can be modeled into a prosperous democracy while preserving its cultural heritage, territorial integrity, and racial cohesion, other countries could learn and follow its lead. I think the Iraqi people themselves will do this. The US role should only be to ensure an end to fighting, restoration of basic services and at that point, quickly turn everything over to the Iraqi people. What works for Iraq will be something that the Iraqi people create. It won't be what Donald Rumsfeld thinks is right.
Other explicit and implicit promises must be kept as well. The forces will leave as soon as a mission is accomplished and there are no more wars and hidden agendas,
My guess is that the basic economics of keeping troops in Iraq will make this happen as fast as possible. If anything, I would worry that we not stay long enough to ensure that there is no on-going fighting. Timing is all wrong for Iran and Syria. Got to wait until closer to the election :>) Iraqis will not be forced to ally themselves with Israel against their fellow Arabs, or with consuming countries against producers, and its natural wealth will not be used to finance war bills and hungry US contractors. Absolutely. The Iraqi people, through an elected government, should decide all these things, regardless of what we want. One of the things that is not at all clear to me at this point is who is actually paying for the Halliburton and Bechtel contracts. These appear to be funded by the US Congress in an amount of $2.5 billion which was recently approved. It also appears that funds which are being paid to Iraqis who have gone back to work in government positions are coming out of Iraqi government assets seized by the US. That seems fair also. Beyond this initial phase of getting basic services up and running, any longer-term contracts need to be awarded by the Iraqi government, not US administrators. Third: We need good partnership. America has a lot to offer and benefit from. It needs a stable region, oil flow and prices; we need technology transfer, access to US markets, and economic cooperation. Should be the US policy worldwide. Sadly it often isn't. It might turn out, however, that the act of invading Iraqi soil ends up creating a special relationship between the new Iraq and the US which would be interesting. You can still see a little of this with the Philippines and certainly Germany, Korea and Japan. I think it would be neat if one of the things that comes out of this would be a lot of close ties in terms of trade, education, culture and so on with Iraq. Over-cautious security measures while understandable in the past should now be reassessed. Arab-Americans as well as Arab students, businessmen and visitors have been under strict watch for too long. Visa barriers and stories of FBI harassment made many choose other countries for their education, business and vacations. That is a big loss, since we need more understanding between our peoples that will only come with direct contact, over and above media misrepresentation and misinformation. Those who lived and worked in America are its best ambassadors to the world. Families will believe their kids’ reports about the good Americans and the inspiring American dream more than the media. Such human exchange is our best hope of overcoming the misunderstanding, defeat the dark forces of hate and war, and build a “civilized” bridge between our civilizations. Too true. Moreover, discrimination or as you put it "over-cautious security measures" harm us as much as those we target. We've got an Attorney General and government rewriting our constitutional rights to serve their distorted notions of security. We as a people suffer regardless who is the current target. Fourth: Hyper-power requires hyper-awareness, sensitivity and modesty. Naturally, people are apprehensive of the powerful. To calm a world in shock and awe of mighty US, it needs to balance military might with civility might. Now that the war on Iraq has ended, the war for hearts and minds should restart in earnest. What are you smoking? Good luck! These guys are Texans. You need to read some Texas history :>) They take what they want and expect you to be thankful. Maybe if someone could gag Rumsfeld for the next two years. Finally: It is not true that Arabs and Muslims have always been angry at America. The US has no colonial history, and except for the blind support of Israel and the Cold War propping-up of dictatorships and dictators such as Nasser, Saddam and Qaddafi. We really have no issue with America — less so with the American people. Therefore, addressing the above will certainly eliminate the rational concerns, which feed irrational suspicions and give credence to misinformation and conspiracy theories. America, then, will be what it really is about — global peace, freedom and cooperation. Now, this is a war worth waging, and a victory worth fighting for. My guess is that the Arab street is much like Main Street. The lack of knowledge of each others culture and history leads to all kinds of misinformation and conspiracy theories. Prior to September 11, most people here probably gave little thought to the Arab world and Islam. After September 11, people who know little about it have assumed that all Arabs hate Americans. It doesn't help a lot to have mullahs with AK-47's at Friday prayers screaming that the U.S. is the embodiment of evil. But then we've got Franklin Graham and his gang of Neanderthals screaming about Islam and Muslims. Could we both send all these folks to an island somewhere? Enough. You actually asked what we would like in return. Here are a few thoughts: 1. Aggressive, active involvement by Arab leaders, institutions and governments in helping Iraq get back on its feet under a democratic government. To a degree, the U.S. is filling a vacuum. Had the Arab world dealt with Saddam Hussein, there would have been no reason for US involvement. The same is true now. Rather than sitting around taking pot shots at how badly the US is doing "nation building," why aren't Arab governments and institutions jumping in to help with this? Who knows what is the right structure for an Arab, Muslim multi-ethnic, multi-religion government in a country where tribal loyalties are strong? My guess is that we are probably not the best people in the world to figure this out. What mostly works here may be totally different than what is going to work in Iraq. 2. An Arab Peace Corps. We've seen that Arab youth are willing to die fighting for Saddam Hussein against the evil American invaders, to say nothing of flying planes into buildings here in the US, or blowing up innocent civilians in Israel. Sure would be nice to see these same youth doing something constructive to help Iraq get back on its feet. 3. Scream and yell if the US doesn't do the things you suggest with respect to Iraq. The people here who would like to do the right things don't really have a lot of control over the government. We need people around the world making a fuss when we don't do the right thing.
-----Original Message----- From: LongmuirG [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 7:38 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: What Do We Want? Dr. Batarfi - Thank you for suggesting a dialog between the US and Arabs in your recent column. I am a European who is now a naturalized US citizen. I studied with many Arab friends at graduate school, and I have worked in North Africa. Let me offer a few thoughts on what some westerners might like to see from a flourishing Arab world. Perhaps the most important thing - Arab citizens should start looking at their own leaders and their own countries as critically as they now look at the USA. History is long and complex. All of our ancestors did things which today we should regret. Christianity has a blood-stained history, as does Islam. The Crusades may have been a mistake for European Christians, but then so was the involvement of Arab Muslims in the African slave trade. From all the vast inhumanities that people have perpetrated upon each other over the centuries, there are lessons to be learned. For example, when the American descendants of Africans that Arab traders had sold into slavery sought their full human rights after World War II, they were fortunate to be led by men of peace like Martin Luther King. When the people of India sought freedom from British colonial rule, they were fortunate to be led by someone like Gandhi who deliberately eschewed violence. Principled non-violence got results. If the Arabs in the "twice-promised" land of Palestine had been blessed with leaders like King or Gandhi, I believe that Arabs and Jews would today be living in peace with respect for each others human rights. Yasser Arafat has held the hopes of millions hostage to his own brutal terrorism. Why are ordinary Arabs not condemning his failed leadership? Why are ordinary Arabs not condemning the long occupation of the Arab country of Lebanon by Arab Palestinian terrorists backed up by the Arab Syrian military? If Israel's subjugation of Palestinian Arabs is unacceptable (as I think it is), why did so many Arabs find Saddam Hussein's brutal subjugation of Iraqi Arabs to be quite acceptable - even admirable? For Arabs and for the whole human race, Arafat's adoption of terrorism as a political weapon has been a disaster. Even European liberals who support the Palestinian people are privately cowed and uncomfortable about the random murder of civilians by Arafat's terrorists. Terrorism is undermining the legitimacy of the Palestinian cause in the eyes of ordinary Western citizens. Arab silence about the monstrous inhumanity of Arafat's terrorism is tainting all Arabs by association. When will westerners hear Arab leaders loudly condemn Arafat's immoral, counter-productive tactics? For too long, the Palestinian cause has been misused by Arab leaders as an excuse for their own failures. For too long, the fiction of the "Arab Nation" has been used by corrupt, incompetent despots as a tool to silence valid criticism from other Arabs. Libya, Jordan, Saudi Arabia have different histories and traditions, even though they also have ties of language and kinship - rather like the UK, the USA, and Australia. Despite strong bonds between them, the English are very quick to criticize any failings they perceive in Americans. Perhaps a similar spirit between Arab countries would be very beneficial to Arab peoples, although it would probably not be comfortable for their ruling elites. As someone with a lot of respect and affection for Arabs, let me hope that Saddam Hussein's downfall leads to Arabs taking control over their own destiny, and stopping this futile blaming of others for problems that are largely within their own control. Gavin Longmuir - New Mexico, USA
-----Original Message----- From: Edward Murray [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 7:50 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: Re: What Does America Want? What Do We Want? ADDENDUM
I don't know that this is something that Arabs alone can do, but I find it particularly infuriating that the Iraqi people are going to be made to pay as much as $100 billion or more for past debts that I seriously doubt were of any direct benefit to them. They certainly cannot be held responsible for reparations for the wars that Saddam Hussein started.
They certainly should not have to pay for money that went into palaces, arms, and the life style of Hussein and his thugs.
If anyone should suffer, it should be the lenders who collaborated with the Hussein regime by making loans to this government. Let these lenders go find Hussein's money and try to collect from him. Of course, that money too belongs to the Iraqi people.
-----Original Message----- From: ESch6610 [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 9:19 AM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: (no subject) Thanks for your material; it is now almost midnight and I can retire to bed. You say what you think and you think what you say; I am in agreement with you in searching for the elusive path to peace. However, once again you bring up the aspects of peace and the "acceptance" of the PA and the denial of Israel. Nonsense, Arafat declined the offerings in Washington and the Saudi program was hardly a full and complete proposal; it was a tease and it had a chance ...but it lacked meaningful substance. Saudi still has the flower of opportunity in its grip and if it could resume introductory trade with Israel; then we would see that commerce might ignite a new spark of encouragement and trust for the involved parties. You refer to the bad guys and you leave Chairman Arafat out...he is the father of suicidal terrorism, not the dove of peace. If he had and would stop supporting the killers, you might be amazed with what could come next on the road toward a resumption of the peace process. The American plan is about to be revealed but we need the hearts and the minds of the involved parties to bring forth good faith and a new day for the Middle East. Iraq is still the wild card and the game is not yet over. Iran has moved fundamentalists into the power grid and this could also then be counterproductive for Saudi as well. The plan to democratize the Iraqi political process is best intentioned but it is highly speculative and politically splintered. Time will be the witness and the judge as to what has transpired and also as to what tomorrow will deliver to us. I wish you well and appreciate your thoughtful remarks. Best wishes, again...ed
-----Original Message----- From: rose of sharon [mailto:] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 3:11 PM To: Khaled M. Batarfi Subject: your statistics on christianity... hmmm Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi, Hey doc, can u tell me where you got your statistics regarding the breakdown of christians that you mentioned in your article today on arabnews.net? You stated: ... "the soldiers who fought in Iraq were mostly Protestant Christians."
I'm an American, and watch a lot of news on Fox, CNN, Headlines News, ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC and read a lot of news on the net from around the world. And I have yet to see any statistics of the breakdown.
Perhaps, you can enlighten me. I think u are being a bit over confident in believing a women in Australia could speak for American/British Christians. If these people were so supportive of Arabs/Muslims, don't you think there would have been a lot more protests in the US/UK? I think a better question would be, how many American/UK folks have muslims/arabs friends in their country or around the world or even speak to these people on the internet.
A few years ago, when I told people that I was going to Egypt, they asked me WHY I was going. I asked them, if i said that I was going to Europe, you wouldn't ask me WHY? No one thought it was a good idea, cause they thought the ararbs were not nice people, said they didn't smell good, that they didn't like americans, it was too violent there, etc. And all of these were christians would asked, and many of them were "bible thumpers" (the born again/try to convert you to christianity types).
Anyway, I don't see any distinction between christians -- protestants or otherwise..
thanks, sharon -- a converted muslim just in case you are wondering -----Original
Message----- I just finished reading your article in the Arab News dated April 27, 2003. You asked for responses from Americans in the piece so here is my response. I suspect from the tone of your comments that you and I basically share similar opinions about what is going on with one exception. I don't think that greed motivated the actions taken by President Bush. But, I also think that some greedy people will try to take advantage of the situation. A good example was the cash and other items that were recently intercepted as some soldiers and American civilians involved in Iraq tried to ship back here. That does not represent the majority opinion. The evidence for that is they were caught. I am sure there are people in your country that will try to take advantage as well. One of the reasons I read your paper is to try to get a better understanding of a different perspective on issues. Some of the pieces I read in your paper are very inflammatory and I think misleading. A recurring comment is this war is about oil. Even some people here think that is true and wonder why we remain dependant on oil outside our country. We do not have to be dependant at all. Let me demonstrate my point. When Henry Ford was developing his version of the horseless carriage we now call the automobile, he believed it would be fueled by ethanol. It was a clean-burning fuel and easily made from many plant products grown here. However, he lost that argument because we had a problem getting rid of the waste material from crude oil as the many other products from crude oil were more important at that time in history. Using gasoline solved many other problems. It would be relatively easy to switch over to an ethanol product to burn in cars today. We could even use the same gas stations to distribute the product. Any gasoline could be used to burn and create electrical power or sold to other countries. So, the question is, why do we remain dependant on the oil from other countries? My opinion is it is all a matter of trade goods needed by other countries. I don't think it is reported enough that America ships many many tons of corn, wheat and soybean products to many other countries. In order to make the ethanol needed for our needs, we would have to stop those shipments. This is a hungry world. That was one of the major concerns at the recent meetings in South Africa. Everyhing is tied together in this world today. I have never been to your country. I know that when I shop here in America, the store shelves are loaded with goods from many other countries. Trade is very important to this countries economy. I would think the same is true of your country. Thank you for listening.
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Message----- Dear
Dr. Batarfi:
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Message----- Khalid, -----Original
Message----- hi Dr.Batarfi, i read your article in the english version of Arab News. many of us americans are disgusted with our country's support of israel. we feel it's a constant uphill battle to educate our fellow americans about this issue because the media is in control and they do not report fair and accurately about palestine/palestinians. it's very frustrating to hear, day after day, the story's framed and reported in such an erroneous and pro-israel way. also, it's sad to say, many american's do not have the desire to be presented with the complexities of an issue and prefer to only hear a black/white version or be given the 'proper' response without having to think and debate the issue within themself. it seems we only want to believe we (our goverment) is right. it's a very sad state of affairs. many of us worry about our democratic freedoms now because to speaking out against the government is being labeled 'anti-american' in a way we haven't seen here in our lifetime. no, this war was not a christian crusade. it's about what ever the government wants to say it is about. it seems most americans will believe anything the goverment (and media) tells them these days. thanks janet
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Message----- Unfortunately the vast majority of Muslims in Saudi Arabia have no idea of how hated they really are. The intolerance of your fanatical religion leaves the vast majority of Americans with the impressions that you cannot be trusted. You relationship with Pakistan is also regarded as highly suspicious. News outlets showed people cheering after the bombing of the twin towers in New York City and this only drove home the point that Muslims are cruel and heartless. Pictures of your religious leaders teaching children to chant "death to America" shows Americans that your hatred for this country is taught to children and reinforced whenever possible. America allows freedom of religion but your country does not. Why? But the problems that Saudi Arabians are starting to encounter are just beginning. Since you have allowed your religious leaders to support violent attitudes towards America and refused to quiet them, all peoples from the middle east will be fingerprinted and followed while in America. You cannot be trusted ; ever. After all 15 out of the 19 world trade center bombers were from your stinking country. The idea that you want to "put the infadel to the sword" will now limit your advancements in this world. Knowing that the Koran directs you to harm us proves to every non muslim the backward, narrow minded, intolerant attitudes you all have for America. I think that the next country that should be liberated and turned into a democracy is Saudi Arabia.
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Message----- Dear dr. Batarfi : This iraqi adventure has nothing to do with the "crusades" , if you look at the advisers who conjured up this adventure in iraq you will find that they are mostly jews , so repeating this propaganda does nothing to clear up the responsibility of who was behind this attack .
The basic fact that cannot be denied is that the american jewish community since the time of the 1956 suez "crisis" has engaged in a persistent effort to influence american politics toward the middle-east . With its accomplices in the western media where they have had a historical relationship due to their left-wing politics of the past and their campaign donations and their monolithic bloc voting patterns they have accomplished an "inordinate" amount of political influence with american politicians .
Even european politicians dare not mention their influence in public lest they be accussed of being nazis .
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Message----- You seemed to ask for feedback about your article, so here goes. What does America want? It's very simple although everyone tries to complicate it. The only thing they are asking for in Iraq is 1) cyclical elections from the very top on down and 2) a free press. It need not be an American style democracy and Bush clearly stated that it will be a government that meets the needs of the culture. They don't care whether Iraq sets up an Italian style democracy, French style or even Russian style (or even a new Arab style). Whatever suits Iraq. What they don't want is to replace one dictator with another. Iran is already agitating for a theocracy like theirs. I submit that they would even accept this if that's what the Iraqi people want except for the fact that they don't have a free press and their top officials are appointed rather than elected. Those are the only 2 demands. They will try to thwart this push by Iranian agents, not because they are saying "you can't have this form of government", it's because they need to give the Iraqi people time to form other alternative political groups as competitors. The Shiite religion and their clerics are already organized and have been for some time. Their goal is to swallow up power before alternative political groups can get organized. Once they get power, they won't have to worry about other groups. They will simply ban them. It's a shame because I don't believe that Iraqis know much about Iran. Iran was promised democracy after the revolution. 24 years later, that promise is still yet to be fulfilled. Nothing against Islam, but some of these the clerics/mullahs are even worse liars than the U.S. If somehow the Iraqis end up with some sort of theocracy, kingship, or dictatorship, then it's time for the U.S. to give up. The lesson learned will be that Arabs simply aren't ready for democracy and that if you try to drag them in to the 21st century, they will kick and scream until you let them go. They will use pride to cut off their nose to spite their face. Look at Saudi Arabia. Kings? In the 21st century? How can that still be?
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Message----- The story: the death toll in the explosion in Zaafaraniya. Should one look at Iraq as a sort of kenogenesis? I dinna think one should loffe at the furacious Americans. The intrication of populicide to the point of enjoying rhytidosis is horrible. With America screaming summum bonum, many remain unsensed as to why. There is great postponence of the American mutability. 'Tis not a shunless act of the American collusiveness.
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Message----- Thank you for your well-written article "What Does America Want? What Do We Want?" It would have been interesting to hear your take on what America wants to see if there was any truth to it. I'll keep an eye out for your next column.
Here's what I think we want: For Arabs to stop growing and exporting terrorists to the U.S., its interests, and friends, and for them to protect human rights & civil liberties. The prospect of another 9/11 scares the heck out of us!
kdlong
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Message----- Dear Dr. Khaled: I read your article in the Arab News. As an American Muslim, I can understand your thoughts and feelings as expressed in your article. I believe that Palestinians have suffered enough and they need to be liberated from an ongoing Israeli state sponsored terrorism, so that they can live in peace. The only country capable of helping the Palestinians is the United States of America, but the American priority in that region is to protect Israel and help Israel grow as a secure and dominant regional power.
US will help establish an independent Palestinian state as long as Palestinian leadership understands and agrees to play by the rules as established by the United States. Those rules require that Palestinians accept in principle, the fact that they are neither equal nor in competition with Israel, thus accepting peace under the regional leadership of Israel, the new regional power. Palestinian aspirations must be in line with the American national interests, if they want peace and a Country of their own. It is clear that price of peace to be paid by Palestinians is to accept Israel as the dominant partner, thus giving up on expectations to establish an equal and competing Palestinian State. Message is the same to others in the Region, including Syria and Iran.
Your views are idealistic, innocent and naive. United States has done what it wanted to do and she shall do whatever she wants to do in the future. As you have acknowledged in your article that United States is the only super power in the world. United States has the military muscle as well as the economic viability to do whatever it wants. The actions in Iraq have demonstrated such resolve on part of the United States, even though such action was vehemently opposed by the old world powers collectively, namely; Russia, France, China and Germany. Majority of the countries of the world opposed this American action, but United States went ahead to protect its interests in the face of such opposition. “Consultation with Arabs/Muslims” and “Development of mutual respect and sensitivity” are unrealistic and naive expectations on part of the Arab/Muslim world. Arab-Muslim countries have no leverage over the United States and as a matter of fact, it is the United States, which has complete leverage over the Arab-Muslim regimes world-wide. As an educated person, you should know that one cannot negotiate if one does not have leverage.
American President and his administration did not act alone. Unprecedented majority of Americans i.e.; 80% supported the President and his administration in Iraq policy. The support remains intact. It is the American people who elected and then supported the President. It is naive to think that the President and the People of this country are two separate entities. I can tell you with confidence that American People support their President and that they stands with the President.
When it comes to issues between the Muslims and the Jews in the middle-east, the American people clearly support the Jews and their state; Israel. Arabs and Muslims need to understand this reality which will be the first step towards recognizing American realities, thus rationalizing Arab/Muslim expectations as they relate to the United States of America. Wishful thinking and unrealistic expectations will continue to set the stage for disappointments in the future. United States owns the game as well as sets its rules. In order to play the game, Arab-Muslim countries need to work with in those rules to accomplish their own objectives. Of course, the alternative is to not participate in the game and be left out for a very long time to come. Choosing of such an alternative shall guarantee that none of the Arab-Muslim objectives are accomplished. Understanding of realities must prevail over emotions, when it comes to International relations. Justice is always sought by the weak, whereas it is defined by the powerful.
Warm regards Arshad Waheed
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