BS: US Middle East Policy a Failure

Subject: BS: US Middle East Policy a Failure
From: freda underhill
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 09:15 AM

says Condoleeza Rice...

Rice: 60 years of US intervention in Middle East has been a failure; The Scotsman, 21 June 2005; BEN LYNFIELDIN JERUSALEM


US SECRETARY of State Condoleezza Rice made a forceful case for democracy in the Muslim world last night in a major policy speech in Egypt. The US pursuit of stability in the Middle East at the expense of democracy had "achieved neither", she admitted, telling Egypt's conservative government leaders "the fear of free choices can no longer justify the denial of liberty". Ms Rice's remarks were to some 700 invited government officials, academics and other guests at the American University in Cairo.

The setting is notable, both because Egypt plans multi-party elections in the autumn and because the Bush administration has made no secret of its dissatisfaction with political progress and the treatment of opposition figures by the government of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. "For 60 years, my country, the US, pursued stability at the expense of democracy in this region, here in the Middle East, and we achieved neither," Ms Rice said. "Now, we are taking a different course. We are supporting the democratic aspirations of all people."

Her speech sets the backdrop today for the first meeting between Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, and Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, since the Middle East ceasefire was announced in February, as tension between the two sides continues to mount.

Subject: RE: BS: US Middle East Policy a Failure
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 09:37 AM

She said that in EGYPT? What on earth is she trying to pull.

Subject: RE: BS: US Middle East Policy a Failure
From: Susu's Hubby
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 10:15 AM

"For 60 years, my country, the US, pursued stability at the expense of democracy in this region, here in the Middle East, and we achieved neither," Ms Rice said. "Now, we are taking a different course. We are supporting the democratic aspirations of all people."


Ms Rice is exactly right. What we have been doing since Bush came into office is to instill democracy into these unsettled regions. It is an exact reversal of what used to be done. It is what SHOULD be done.



Hubby

Subject: RE: BS: US Middle East Policy a Failure
From: Peace
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 10:19 AM

"We are supporting the democratic aspirations of all people."

Does this herald a change in policy with regard to Israel?

Subject: RE: BS: US Middle East Policy a Failure
From: DougR
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 01:56 PM

'splain, brucie. What's your point?

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: US Middle East Policy a Failure
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 01:48 PM

"supporting the democratic aspirations of all people" works better if the majority of the people involved have such aspirartions.

Subject: RE: BS: US Middle East Policy a Failure
From: Donuel
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 01:51 PM

Quick! Send Egypt some Diebold machines!

Subject: RE: BS: US Middle East Policy a Failure
From: CarolC
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 03:42 PM

Ms. Rice is correct. However, whether or not she and those she speaks for are sincere about what they have said is something I am still waiting to find out.