Arab Ministers Endorse Concept of Democracy

[conjur]

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5093768

CAIRO (Reuters) - Arab foreign ministers Monday endorsed the concept of democracy and human rights in a document prepared for an Arab summit expected to take place in Tunis this month, the Algerian foreign minister said.
Abdelaziz Belkhadem told reporters after three days of talks at Arab League headquarters that the document also called for an independent judiciary and promoting civil society, and covered the status of women in the Arab world.

"The most important features of the draft declaration is that it asserts the need to develop the Arab system of government and civil society ... in the field of deepening the practice of democracy," Belkhadem said.

Arab League documents have rarely if ever called for internal political changes inside Arab countries, which the league has traditionally considered a domestic matter.

Arab ministers have denied any link, but the document on political reform follows President Bush's campaign for democracy in the Arab world.

An Arab summit in Tunis in March was expected to prepare an indirect response to the U.S. campaign, but the Tunisian government called off the meeting, saying some countries were not being progressive enough about reform.

The Tunisians said they specifically wanted the summit to endorse democracy, civil society and the rights of women. Some Arab delegates disputed Tunisia's commitment to these goals, saying it was among the more repressive Arab countries.

In a separate document approved by the ministerial meeting, the Arab foreign ministers said Arab governments were committed to comprehensive political, economic, social, cultural and educational reform for the sake of development.

It said the governments would "reinforce the spirit of citizenship and equality, expand the field of participation in public affairs and support freedom of responsible expression."

The document also mentions human rights and the role of women and said this was "in conformity with our beliefs, values and cultural traditions." It does not mention democracy.

 

[AcidicFury]

This is good for the Arabs. However, Bush is probably gonna use this as propaganda or something, saying that these will just be sham democracies.

 

[Crimson]

Originally posted by: AcidicFury
This is good for the Arabs. However, Bush is probably gonna use this as propaganda or something, saying that these will just be sham democracies.

Or maybe Bush will endorse this is a step in the right direction. But, apparently you have spoken with Bush already and know his response.

 

[AcidicFury]

Originally posted by: Crimson

Originally posted by: AcidicFury
This is good for the Arabs. However, Bush is probably gonna use this as propaganda or something, saying that these will just be sham democracies.

Or maybe Bush will endorse this is a step in the right direction. But, apparently you have spoken with Bush already and know his response.

No, all I know is hes a neo-con with a penchant for attacking countries with oil and then "nation-building."

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Originally posted by: AcidicFury

Originally posted by: Crimson

Originally posted by: AcidicFury
This is good for the Arabs. However, Bush is probably gonna use this as propaganda or something, saying that these will just be sham democracies.

Or maybe Bush will endorse this is a step in the right direction. But, apparently you have spoken with Bush already and know his response.

No, all I know is hes a neo-con with a penchant for attacking countries with oil and then "nation-building."

Oh My God...
You've got to be kidding me! A penchant for attacking countries with oil?!! Try a penchant for attacking countries who aid and abet terrorists, who threaten our own national security!! I get such a kick out of all you clueless liberals who say this is all about the oil... If that's the case then why havn't we occupied Venesula? After all, South American IS where most of our oil comes from in the first place. Neo-con.. Meh! I think you're views are a little misguided, but thanks for calling!

 

[AcidicFury]

Umm, if you look at Venezuela, there was a CIA coup there in the 70's. Nice try.

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: AcidicFury
Umm, if you look at Venezuela, there was a CIA coup there in the 70's. Nice try.

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but haven't most of our coups or attempts at them been by funding someone else to do it for us?

 

[AcidicFury]

Originally posted by: Strk

Originally posted by: AcidicFury
Umm, if you look at Venezuela, there was a CIA coup there in the 70's. Nice try.

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but haven't most of our coups or attempts at them been by funding someone else to do it for us?

Well, what a CIA coup is supposed to do is allow a new leader that supports US policies come into power. Why has our annual rate of oil come up from Venezuela since the 70's? Easy answer.

 

[Crimson]

Originally posted by: AcidicFury
Umm, if you look at Venezuela, there was a CIA coup there in the 70's. Nice try.

Bush was President in the 1970's?!

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

So I suppose that Chavez is a GREAT guy to have in power... I heard he's pretty good at fostering security and economic stability down there.
... at least someone told me that once.. :roll:

 

[AcidicFury]

Originally posted by: JoLLyRoGer
So I suppose that Chavez is a GREAT guy to have in power... I heard he's pretty good at fostering security and economic stability right in our own back yard.
... at least someone told me that once.. :roll:

All I know is that he gives us a lot of oil, and thats all that matters to neo-cons!

 

[Genesys]

Originally posted by: AcidicFury

Originally posted by: JoLLyRoGer
So I suppose that Chavez is a GREAT guy to have in power... I heard he's pretty good at fostering security and economic stability right in our own back yard.
... at least someone told me that once.. :roll:

All I know is that he gives us a lot of oil, and thats all that matters to neo-cons!

seeing as how neo cons have been in office continually since the 70's, right?

 

[AcidicFury]

I'm not talking about neo-cons. I'm talking about Bush. Read all the pronouns before you get into an evidence bout.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Well whatever... Anyway getting back to the point, and oh yeah... I don't toe a particular party line I think you've got to be pretty blind to think this was was over oil! Especially when you consider how little of the Middle East's oil that Iraq is actually responsible for. Hardly seems worth it if you ask me.

So, the point here is. Don't swallow everything the left throws at you hook, line, and sinker.

Likewise, don't take everything you hear from the GOP as direct revelation from Gods (no matter what they'd like you to believe .)

 

[AcidicFury]

JollyRoger: The only reason I think that its over oil is because Bush continually evades all questions asked to him about it. I'm just pretty suspicious.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Crimson

Originally posted by: AcidicFury
Umm, if you look at Venezuela, there was a CIA coup there in the 70's. Nice try.

Bush was President in the 1970's?!

Bush, Sr. was head of the CIA from 1976-1977....hmmmm

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: AcidicFury
This is good for the Arabs. However, Bush is probably gonna use this as propaganda or something, saying that these will just be sham democracies.

I was thinking more along the lines that Bush will use this as proof that the attack on Iraq was worthwhile.

"See, all of the other Arab countries are now wanting democracy. I did good!"