[The Telegraph, U.K.]
L'Orient Le
Jour, Lebanon
Arab Leaders Should Heed Obama's Words
"Obama can and must encourage within
the world at large that same quest for change, justice and progress that has
swept him to power like a tidal wave. Because what our region needs most, to
use the words of the U.S. president, are leaders that build, not destroy."
EDITORIAL By
Issa Goraieb
Translated By L. McKenzie
Zeiss
January 21, 2008
Lebanon - L'Orient Le Jour - Home Page - (French)
Historic. Apart from a few grouches, the entire globe yesterday
had only one word in its mouth. For the world is deeply convinced - including
the grouches, this time - that near or far, sooner or later and even in its most
remote reaches - every nation will find itself affected by the triumphant installation of
Barack Hussein Obama in the White House. Whether one accepts him, rejects him,
congratulates him or not, he is really the first president of globalization
that there has ever been.
For this to come into being, history
didn't have to wait for the coronation in Washington - the kind of supershow
that only Americans know how to put on, consisting simultaneously of an
imposing solemnity and moving popular fervor, yet nonetheless dignified by a
strong sense of friendly bonhomie [goodwill]. History
had already been made on the evening of the U.S. presidential election, with
that jubilant “yes, we can” which from then on became the motto of all
societies that are forbidden to dream. And history was already in place on the
day, not so long ago, when an American of the Black race dared to aspire to his
party’s nomination, pushing his way in, then finishing by crushing the party's confirmed
celebrities.
What will follow from now on
is still, of course, history. But it's a history of unattached segments that
only time will judge: a sequence of news clippings, an inevitable mélange of
great achievements, as one is entitled to expect from exceptional men, but also
of the disappointments, failures and setbacks that alas, are inherent to the
human condition. The global economic crisis, unemployment and poverty, climate
change, the American wars left as a legacy by George W. Bush, and all the other
conflicts that have periodically erupted on one corner of the planet Earth or
another: it's a list of charges that cannot be billed to a specific
person, but which will come due under the tenure of Barack Obama.
For the new president, paying
these charges will be a matter of renewing the confidence and energy of an
immense country that for many years now, hasn't been comfortable with its
unique status as a superpower - with all the attendant privileges and
obligations which that entails; and at the same time, winning back the favor of
a global community which has broken with the often bloody unilateralism and mistakes
of Uncle Sam. In his inaugural address, Obama has clearly declined this duel
priority, presenting himself as the unifier of an America ready to lead the
world again and an America resolved to vanquish terrorism, but at the same time
offering a new approach to the Muslim world.
That being the case, there's
also a double duty- of trust, of hope, of optimism, but also of realism and
patience - that demands that all nations rise to the significance of the
moment. To be sure, we mustn't expect a rapid profusion of miracles from Obama.
On the contrary, let’s bet on (do we really have a choice?) the aptitude of
this son of an African immigrant, of this American who comprises a myriad of sensibilities
in his person, to give a lucid and comprehensive look- an intelligent look, after
all these years of stupid dogmatism- at the world around him.
With him, may we know how to
foster the ambition to accomplish what his predecessors could not; that is to
say, a just and definitive global solution to the Palestinian riddle: a
challenge commensurate with that breaker of barriers who's already a living
legend.
Failing these miracles, that
which Barack Obama can and must do is encourage within the world at large that
same quest for change, justice and progress that has swept him to power like a tidal
wave. Because what our region needs most, to use the words of the U.S.
president, are leaders that build, not destroy.
Israel deserted the crime scene
in Gaza just in time for yesterday’s inauguration; and at the summit in Kuwait,
Arabs were seen once again smothering each other in hugs rather than swearing
at each other like cart drivers. The scene is set. “Please ... welcome President
Obama.”
igor@lorient-lejour.com.lb
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[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
January 22, 1:35am]
