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Speaker: Prod 2008 crowd for views on foreign affairs

By Nigel Duara
DesMoinesRegister.com
Posted on Tuesday April 17, 2007

The president and founder of the Arab American Institute urged Iowa voters on Monday to press presidential candidates for their views on the war in Iraq, Israeli-Palestinian relations and the future of the United States in the Middle East.

“You wanted to be first; you’re first,” James Zogby said. “You have a responsibility to ask the tough questions we can’t ask.”

The lecture Monday night at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, 4126 Ingersoll Ave., titled “The Mess We’re In,” focused on crumbling relations between the United States and the Middle East, and how voters can help to turn the tide.

“2008 is going to come. November’s going to come. We’re still going to be (in Iraq),” Zogby said. “It’s not too late to ask questions … and hold candidates accountable.”

He said an immediate pullout from Iraq would be “a disaster,” but U.S. policy must begin to follow a “12-step program” to recover.

“The first step is admitting you have a problem,” Zogby said, eliciting laughs. “We have to pave the way for a responsible exit.”

Caroline Arter of Des Moines said she attended the speech to “see what the newest, latest thoughts are on the Middle East.”

“We as Americans don’t understand how policy works,” Arter said.

Zogby said that although Arab Americans are being accepted into mainstream American society, the group still faces adversity. The institute promotes Arab American participation in the U.S. electoral system.

He was critical of America’s role in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and said America bears some responsibility for the Palestinians’ plight. “Hope is gone,” Zogby said. “It’s an issue that’s killing us all.”