'Just a Little More Time'

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Al-Seyassah, Kuwait

U.S. Pressure on Rights and Democracy is at Root of the Problem

 

"Washington uses the slogans of defending human rights, protecting freedom and democracy, and supporting citizens of other countries to apply pressure to other governments and get them to make greater policy concessions. The U.S. seems oblivious to the dangerous repercussions of using this double-edged sword."

 

By Ahmad Abdal Aziz Al Jarallah*

                                                            

 

Translated By Ahmed Amir

 

February 2, 2010

 

Kuwait - Al-Seyassah - Original Article (Arabic)

Egyptian President Mubarak makes his case for remaining in office until September, Feb. 1.

 

AL-JAZEERA: Live feed of the unfolding crisis in Egypt.RealVideo

The old proverb,"the eye is blinded by what its seeks to beautify," best describes U.S. policy in the region. Since the last century, in the early 1950s, Washington has rarely resolved a crisis that didn't end in making things even more complicated, unknowingly jeopardizing its own interests in the Middle East and Africa and continuing to lose allies and attract enemies. Can it remain leader of the free world - which is how it refers to itself - with such expertise at attracting disasters that undermine its own interests?

 

The U.S. administration has learned nothing from the past five decades, particularly about how it has helped undermine global security and stability. It has aided the spread of extremism and created incubators of terrorism. The result was September 11, 2001, the effects of which we continue to confront to the present day.

 

Washington uses the slogan of defending human rights, protecting freedom and democracy, and supporting citizens of other countries to apply pressure to other governments and get them to make greater policy concessions. The U.S. seems oblivious to the dangerous repercussions of using this double-edged sword. This simply attracts crisis and undermines international confidence in the self-proclaimed leader of democratic states.

 

In the early 1950s, the U.S. used the same slogan to topple Egypt's liberal monarchy [the Muhammad Ali Dynasty]. One of those who led the U.S.-backed revolution to overcome the monarchy, Gamal Abdul Nasser, soon became the nation's leader and turned against them. In very short order, he was building alliances and spreading hatred of America.

 

In spite of all this, the U.S. repeated its failed experiment on itself in Iran, when it encouraged the mullahs to overthrow the Shah and replace him with Khomeini. This radical regime has stoked hostility and created or aided a large number of extremist and terrorist groups, the most obvious examples being Hezbullah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. And let us not forget how America's contradictory policies have weakened the state of Pakistan and sparked new conflict with India.

 

Washington has proven expert at fomenting sectarian strife to destabilize and weaken other states, which has sown hatred against it. Meanwhile, it has failed to provide solutions to the issues that preoccupy the planet day and night. The main sticking point is bringing about a just peace in the region while the U.S. condones Israel's daily terrorist activity, massacres against and attempts to evict the Palestinians from their land. America's motives are suspect, it is known for its double standards, and it is regarded as untrustworthy.

 

Throughout recent decades, Washington has helped create breeding grounds for terrorists, all the while screaming of the pain they cause. And the U.S. inhibits the efforts of others to find practical solutions to a problem that pollutes the atmosphere and for which the region has paid dearly.    

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But none of this has gotten successive U.S. administrations realize that they are losing allies one by one, widening the gap between governments and citizens. It is therefore not surprising to see the shaky positions taken by the U.S. on recent events in Egypt. The Obama Administration has behaved like a schizophrenic, shifting its position by the hour. This is not the way a leading nation is supposed to behave.

 

 

SEE ALSO ON THIS:

Tehran Times, Iran: Egyptians and All Arabs Must Beware of 'Global Ruling Class'

Le Quotidien d’Oran, Algeria: Mubarak, Friends Scheme to Short-Circuit Egypt Revolt

Salzburger Nachrichten, Austria: America Must Act or Cede Egypt to the Islamists

Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Germany: America's' 'Shameful' Faustian Bargain Unravels

Guardian Unlimited, U.K.: Mubarak Regime 'Still Very Much in Power'

Hankyoreh, South Korea: Egypt: Will U.S. Pick the Right Side this Time?

Global Times, China: Egypt, Tunisia Raise Doubts About Western Democracy

Kayhan, Iran: Middle East Revolutions Herald America's Demise

Sydney Morning Herald: Revolution is in the Air, But U.S. Sticks to Same Old Script

The Telegraph, U.K.: America's Secret Backing for Egypt's Rebel Leaders

Debka File, Israel: Sources: Egypt Uprising Planned in Washington Under Bush

 

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It was us Arabs who were once accused of creating the most creative and imaginative expressions. But now after successive U.S. administrations, it's clear that Americans lead the way in coining absurd, surreal expressions. For example, "creative chaos" is a term meant to impose drastic reform to bring economic opportunity to impoverished states. Unfortunately, what it has done is destroy past economic success and allow gangs and drug cartels to spread as they have in Afghanistan and Somalia. They have also encouraged widespread constitutional violations, pirates, thieves and jail-breakers to continue their unscrupulous activities. Such phenomena are now occurring in countries where Washington continues to mount pressure on governments not to impose public order.

 

"Creative chaos" is responsible for creating such phenomena. Perhaps, given these purposely created difficulties, "destructive chaos" would be more appropriate. Does Washington want to deprive Arabs of the chance to experience stability, or would it rather see extremism prevail and for people to become captives of terror? This is a significant and dangerous question!

 

*Ahmed Al-Jarallah is the editor-in-chief of Kuwait's Arab Times and Al-Seyassah of Kuwait

 

Email: ahmed@aljarallah.com

 

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[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US February 4, 1:49am]

 






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