Arabs Wary of Bush's Democracy Message

[Rose Siding]

CAIRO, Egypt -- Many people across the Middle East agreed with President Bush's call Thursday for greater democracy in the region, but they reacted coolly to backing a message from a U.S. leadership seen as siding unfairly with Israel and fomenting war in Iraq.

snip>

Bush also criticized Palestinian leaders, accusing them of blocking democratic reform and encouraging violence.

"They are the main obstacles to peace and to the success of the Palestinian people," he said.

Extreme poverty, poor education and a lack of rights for women were "not the failures of a culture or a religion ... (but) of economic and political doctrine," he said. Throughout the Middle East, burgeoning reform movements have been making such calls for years -- even decades.

There was no official reaction, and little response from the masses, since Bush's speech came just after dark when Muslims were breaking their daylight fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

snip>

Syrian political analyst Haitham Kilani told the AP that Bush's government is "not qualified to lead a democratic trend in the world, particularly in the Middle East."

"How can we believe that the one who is biased in favor of Israel ... can bring acceptable democratic projects to the people of the region?" said another Syrian analyst, Imad Fawzi al-Shueibi.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-mideast-democracy,0,6005687.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

[Voltaire99]

1. Arabs are more sensible than half of the US, apparently

Do Americans need glasses? Did their parents not read them cautionary bedtime stories as kids? Is the national lie detector out of batteries? Is it something in the water?

[goforit]

2. Yes and just like OBL , Bush sends signals too!

:tinfoilhat: