Western Democracy? Why Not?
Dr. Khaled Batarfi, kbatarfi@al-madina.comWhen Egyptian judiciary described US President George Bush’s call for international monitoring of Egypt’s referendum on the new presidential law as an outrageous intervention in their country’s internal affairs, I knew better. When governments protest international pressure to democratize and reform, because “reform must come from within†I know better. When state-run media call every criticism of some Arab leaders or governments a Zionist conspiracy, I know better. When some opposition groups and protesters are accused of being “fifth column,†stooges of foreign powers, I know better.
How is it that I always know better? Because I am an Arab citizen who understand something about how leadership works and am conversant with their political vocabulary. I could tell you before any question arise what the response would be … exactly.
Dr. Batarfi is pretty blunt here. He spells out that he’d rather be called a “Western stooge” by his critics than to be a silent, but witting accomplice in attempts to deny democracy to the Arab world. Do read the whole piece.
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June:05:2005 - 09:08
Thank God for your blog. Clarifies so much.. The LA Times last week put together some really confusing coverage of the Egyptian referendum claiming that the people of Egypt were angry at Bush for supporting multi party elections. The LA times claimed that Barbara was recieved poorly, and she was looked upon as naive by those who saw her speak. The gyst of the whole article was the people don’t want multi party elections because they were introduced by Mubarek, and the people being suspicious of Mubarek are now against them.. Confused? So am I.. I really should stop reading the LA Times.