http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/BFF619F0-79DA-4AC3-B362-BBE604459B29.htm<snip>
Khaled al-Maeena, editor-in-chief of the English language Arab News daily in Saudi Arabia asked how Bush could call for greater freedoms while ignoring Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.
Selective
"We in the Arab world believe that if freedom and democracy come in the area, they should come to all, not a selective group," he said. "We also demand freedom and democracy for the Palestinian people. Then (Bush's comments) would have credibility."
Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat reacted to Bush's speech by urging the president to underscore his vision for democracy in the Middle East by helping the Palestinians to hold free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections.
"We've been trying to hold these elections for a long time but have failed due to the Israeli occupation, and we hope President Bush will help us in creating the right conditions for these elections under his supervision and that of the international community," Erekat said.
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