Prince Talal: Arabs have to put democracy into practice
EIRUT: Saudi Prince Talal bin Abdel-Aziz al-Saud said although Arabs were becoming increasingly convinced of the importance of democratic reform, their slogans remain mere words as convictions have yet to be put into practice. The prince added that, on the other hand, democratic reform has become one of the priorities of U.S. foreign policy, particularly in the Arab world.
Prince Talal delivered a speech at the American University of Cairo Wednesday under the theme of “Political Reform between Arabs and the U.S.: The United States of America and Reform in the Arab World, Between Dialogue and Practice.”
He said he believed that the U.S. stand regarding Arab democratic reform was not only reflected in U.S. political rhetoric, but was also coupled with selective action encouraging reform and sometimes criticizing delays to undertake it.
He added that Arab civil society constitutes the basic structure for development toward democracy and human rights.
Prince Talal indicated that some saw a new U.S. policy being adopted in the Arab world but others believed that this will die when the motives behind it are achieved.
He denied any new policy, arguing that the U.S. principles behind this policy
are based on “Jeffersonism” which has always set the goals of American policy.
Prince Talal said perhaps fears of U.S. intervention in the Arab world stem from the fact that many opponents to the U.S. have shifted their positions and that this new U.S. policy was coupled with a war on Iraq and cruel and unfair political and media campaigns against Islam, labeling Muslims as terrorists and extremists.
The prince said there was a contradiction a U.S. policy which fought terrorism through war but preached freedom, adding that this contradiction shows how difficult making changes in U.S. policy is.
He said America lacked sufficient knowledge about the affairs of the region and illustrated that the U.S. could get involved in a major project without understanding its dimensions, he backed up his argument with the example of the war waged by the U.S. on Iraq without accurate information and in the absence of a vision for the post-war Iraq.
Addressing the U.S., Prince Talal said the Arab region could not engage in adventures resulting from reckless choices, stressing that chaotic instability could lead to catastrophes.
The prince indicated that the region could explode if members of the U.S. administration insist on striking militarily at Iran to thwart its nuclear project.
He added that although he opposed any attack on Iran, it is necessary to clear the region of weapons of mass destruction.
Prince Talal said his calls were an attempt to direct a change in U.S. policy toward being a support for Arab people and not a new burden.
“The U.S. needs assistance to be able to help the Arab region,” he said, adding that America is still confused about many issues, including Islamic movements.
Prince Talal called for cooperation to make a gradually successful change to democracy, freedom and human rights, through timetables agreed upon in national dialogue without pressure or threats.
dailystar.com
A rep of arguably the most dangerous and repressive Islamic fundamentalist state lecturing on ‘Jeffersonian democracy’…sadly, it fits.