Bush's latest speech given positive reviews from arabs

Pahreyia · Post by **Pahreyia** » November 7, 2003, 5:51 pm

http://www.msnbc.com/news/990354.asp?0bl=-0

It seems that most of the opposing views are related solely to America's support of Israel, and should that work out favorably for the Palestinians, America could have newfound credibility in the region.

Marbus · Post by **Marbus** » November 8, 2003, 2:17 am

Interesting... wonder how this will pan out. While I think Isreal has a right to live somewhere and where they are at is as good as any at this point. I think we should be supporting more reforms in the area. That is the only way the killing is going to stop. I don't know how we do it except withhold some military support but I think we should really be encouraging Isreal to give them some of the "good land" back.

Marb

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » November 8, 2003, 2:24 am

http://www.ksat.com/news/2620940/detail.html

Bush Slammed For Middle East Democracy Comments
Iran, Arab Commentators Tell President To Mind Own Business

POSTED: 5:11 p.m. EST November 7, 2003
UPDATED: 5:17 p.m. EST November 7, 2003

CAIRO, Egypt -- Iran told President George W. Bush to mind his own business Friday after he called for greater democracy in the region. Similar views were expressed by commentators across the region.

While some commentators stressed that most people in the Middle East genuinely want democracy, they pointed out that Arabs don't want it from the United States.

They say Bush's preaching on freedom aroused resentment in a region where the United States is accused of waging war on Iraq and siding blindly with Israel against the Palestinians.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman condemned the speech Bush made in Washington on Thursday. In the speech, Bush said Western governments had been wrong to back undemocratic, corrupt leaders in the Middle East.

Bush also renewed his criticism of Iran and Syria -- two nations he has accused of fostering terrorism.

The Iranian official called Bush's speech an "obvious interference" in the nation's internal affairs. In comments to an Iranian news agency, the foreign ministry spokesman said no person or group had "commissioned" Bush to "safeguard their rights."

An editorial in the leading Lebanese daily newspaper describes the speech as "attractive words," but says the underlying problem continues to be what it says is an American bias in favor of Israel.

Another Arab newspaper suggests Bush's speech lacked practical suggestions for achieving his vision for the region.

Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Pahreyia · Post by **Pahreyia** » November 8, 2003, 6:04 am

I love how you quoted the copyright too. Classic.

I'll reply to this properly in the morning, the mists of sleep deprivation are clouding my thought matrices.

vn_Tanc · Post by **vn_Tanc** » November 8, 2003, 9:14 am

As I read the first article I noted that it was generally moderates talking but felt that the less moderate the reader, the less agreement there was likely to be. The comment about democracy not being well received in some areas as the regimes would lose their seats rang true.
Then Kyou's quote confirmed it.

It was interesting how pretty much everyone who was quoted strayed from the question onto the Israel/Palestine issue.