Democracy, perhaps

[Richard Haut]

When even the Druze warlord Walid Jumblatt talks of the progress of democracy in the Middle East, it has to be taken seriously.

So can the mess of the Middle East today have a positive result ?

In terms of spreading democracy, it can - but this is not quite the new idea that many seem to pretend. After all, Iran had a democratically-elected government until 1953 when the Americans arranged a coup which installed the oppressive and totalitarian regime of the Shah.

Most of the oppressive regimes of the Middle East are traceable directly to the influence, or downright interference, of Western nations. The dominant Sunni (and especially Wahabi) rulers were put there by the British.

But in the world as it is today, what would a real spread of democracy across the Middle East mean ?

Chances are that it will mean democracies which fully respect Islamic law. Shia-dominated, the role of the religious leaders will, even if technically outside politics, be immense.

The role-models are Turkey and - to an extent - Iran. For the peoples of the Middle East it would be great progress (and some of it is the result of Bush).

So where is the problem ? there are three: firstly, if Bush launches another war, then the entire region is likely to explode into violence; secondly, could America accept a truly democratic regime in the Middle East that admired Islam more than it wanted to deal with America; and of course, thirdly, Israel.

Hailed as the only democracy in the Middle East, Israelis have long feared what has now happened. According to the US State Department's latest figures, Jews are no longer the majority in the assorted lands of Israel. Israel cannot allow majority rule and stay a Jewish-dominated state.

"better to let them do it imperfectly than to do it perfectly yourself, for it is their country - and your time is short." - Lawrence of Arabia.

[Donald]

This letter by one of those in the know might best give you an insight as to the Lebanese feeling of freedom and democracy. According to Mr. Abdelnour, Druze is a Syrian collaborator who is advised to pack his bags or face total humiliation.

He also claims that "in Lebanon, Freedom is our path and Victory is our destiny", and that "if working for a "Free Lebanon" gets me the title of Zionist, well, I am proud to be one."

http://www.freelebanon.org/articles/a312.htm

[Richard Haut]

you equate a free Lebanon with Zionism ?

you quote a US stooge (is he is Zionist hireling ? he certainly has the credentials).

you cannot be naive enough to think that Israel would be able to move back into Lebanon.

Sabra and Shatilla - more dead children, Donald, more dead children.

[Donald]

[Donald]

And the Arab dictators are on the run, as all of a sudden it would seem the Arab dictators in the Middle East are singing a different tune these days. Could it be because they have seen the United States liberate two enslaved peoples in Iraq and Afghanistan, bringing about free elections? Just as was the case with the fall of the Berlin wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union, once people have a taste of freedom, it can't be stopped. It's contagious!

Look at the case in Syria. Syria occupied Lebanon, and has for decades. Protesters surrounded the building housing the Syrian puppet government in Lebanon, forcing them to resign. Now people power is running the Syrian troops out of Lebanon. Check out this quote from Syrian President Bashar "Boy" Assad, in an interview with Time magazine. He was talking about international demands to get out of Lebanon: "Please send this message: I am not Saddam Hussein. I want to cooperate."......great news!

Syria leaving Lebanon, elections in Iraq, elections in Afghanistan, elections in Egypt, elections in the Palestinian territories....the list goes on. These dictators' days are numbered, and they know it. Freedom is on the march in the Middle East. Bush was right
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7103517/site/newsweek/