Press Room

AAI in the News

Fair US Policies 'Key to Reforms'

By Tariq Khonji
Gulf Daily News
Posted on Tuesday November 8, 2005

The US call for democracy in the Middle East will not be heeded until it adopts a fairer policy towards the region, a leading international lobbyist warned in Bahrain yesterday.

Its handling of the Palestinian question and Iraq weakens its position among the people of the region, creating distrust and hatred, says Arab American Institute founder and president James Zogby.

The Washington DC-based institute is an organisation devoted to representing the policy and community interests of Arab Americans.

In order for the US to live up to its lofty ideals, it must practice what it preaches, Dr Zogby told a gathering of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and human rights activists.

“As an American, I am a critic of my country’s domestic and foreign policies,” he said.

“As an Arab American I care deeply about my nation, but I also care deeply about the places of my origin and my people.

“I’m aware that the role America plays in the region often makes reform and your work (as NGOs) more difficult.”

With regards to Palestine, Dr Zogby said that he had frequently urged his government to take a more balanced position.

He said that while the US calls for a two-state solution, its own practices make it impossible.

“It offers compassion to the Israelis and only pressure to the Palestinians,” continued Dr Zogby.

He was speaking at the opening at the Gulf Hotel of a civil societies conference, being held parallel to the two-day Forum for the Future, which opens on Friday and brings together foreign ministers from the G-8 and the Arab world. The two-day parallel conference has been organised by a committee consisting of representatives from 14 civil societies.

It will discuss many of the same issues that will be discussed at the actual forum, including sustainable development, good governance, national resources, reform, democracy, human rights, religious reform, combating discrimination against women, political empowerment of women, the Arab-Israeli conflict, disarmament and weapons of mass destruction, debts, culture and education, technology and other issues.

Dr Zogby told the audience that while Arab Americans have had some success in making their presence felt in US politics, the Arab world must also play its part in engaging the American people through visits and joint programmes.