Open Letter
to President Bush
Dear
Mr. President: As Arab intellectuals and activists
concerned about the promotion of democracy in
our region, we urge you to reaffirm—in words
and actions—America's commitment to sustained
democratic reform in the Arab world. It is our
belief that the main problem with US policies
in the Middle East (in particular in Iraq, Palestine,
and elsewhere) is precisely their failure to live
up to America’s democratic ideals of liberty
and justice for all. We have been heartened by
the strong commitment to liberty you had expressed
in your November 2003 speech at the National Endowment
for Democracy and then your second inaugural address,
when you said that "All who live in tyranny
and hopelessness can know: the United States will
not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors.
When you stand for your liberty, we will stand
with you."
Despite some initial skepticism, those statements
nurtured hope in our region. We realize that democracy
is not easily attained and must ultimately come
from within. But it can receive encouragement
and support, both of which it badly needs today
in Arab countries. The minimum support the people
of the region yearn for is precisely what you
have undertaken in your NED speech: to break with
60 years of US support for non-democratic regimes
in the region, and to make that known to the world
in unequivocal terms. This would be more consistent
with the principles of the United States, which
has, since its birth, been intimately connected
with the ideals of democratic governance enshrined
in its founding documents—ideals that speak
to all generations and peoples everywhere.
We know that some in the United States, worried
by recent Islamist gains among voters in Palestine
and Egypt, are having doubts about the wisdom
of pushing for freedom and democracy in the Middle
East. These worries are exploited by despots in
the region to perpetuate the untenable status
quo. However, there is no way to advance liberty
without inclusion of all elements that are willing
to abide by democratic rules, and reject violence.
Democratic participation is the only way to combat
extremism and pressure all groups, including Islamists,
to moderate their stance in order to maximize
their share of the vote. The US should continue
to press for an end to regime repression of democratically
spirited liberal and Islamist groups, and to emphatically
distance itself from such repression and condemn
it in the strongest terms whenever and wherever
it occurs. We are confident that if Arab citizens
are able to have their choice, they will choose
democracy, freedom, peace and progress.
A return to the pre-9/11 status quo is not the
answer. It will only embolden ruling autocrats,
hurt Arab reformers, and damage America's credibility.
In the end, it will probably strengthen the very
forces that America fears. The shore of reform
is the only one on which any lights appear even
though the journey demands courage, patience,
and perseverance.
Perhaps emboldened by the impression that America
is wavering in its support for democracy, some
autocrats have recently intensified repression.
This makes the need for sustained U.S. and international
support and pressure more urgent than ever. The
region needs to hear again that the course of
freedom and democracy is the only course which
America, guided by both interest and principle,
will support.
To mention but one case where U.S. influence may
do much good, Egypt has lately seen a regime crackdown
on opposition activists. In February, the government
postponed municipal elections and renewed the
emergency law. The regime has not even spared
Egypt's venerable judiciary which has steadfastly
proclaimed its independence in recent months.
And liberal opposition politician Ayman Nour,
who was allowed to run in last year’s presidential
election and won 7.6% of the popular vote, second
behind President Mubarak, was arrested and sentenced
in a murky process to five years in jail. The
health of Mr. Nour, a dear friend and colleague
of many of us, continues to deteriorate. We pray
that you will take his case to heart and let the
Egyptian regime hear your concerns. Hundreds of
other activists (including doctors, university
professors, journalists and civil society activists)
whose only crime was to express their desire for
freedom, continue to languish in jail and suffer
torture and police brutality. This brutality often
included sexual molestation and public humiliation
of women activists and journalists by pro-government
thugs.
As you have argued, the war against terror and
extremism can only be won by helping Middle Eastern
countries reform their closed political systems.
As societies become more open, citizens can voice
their grievances through legitimate, democratic
means, making them less likely to resort to violence.
You are right to believe that democracy and pluralism
point the way to peace and moderation.
We hope that you will consider our words, recall
how much is at stake in the Arab world, and ponder
how costly silence and mixed signals can be when
freedom is under assault. We entreat you to do
everything you can to ensure that a small number
of authoritarian rulers will not control the future
of more than 300 million Arabs, more than half
of whom are not yet 20 years old. Freedom and
democracy are the only way to build a world where
violence is replaced by peaceful public debate
and political participation, and despair is substituted
by hope, tolerance and dignity.
Sincerely,
1. Radwan Masmoudi, Center for the Study of Islam
and Democracy, USA
2. Aly R. Abuzaakuk, Center for the Study of Islam
and Democracy, USA
3. Sherif Mansour, Center for the Study of Islam
and Democracy, USA/Egypt
4. Khalid Cherkaoui Semmouni, Président
of Center Moroccan of Human Rights, Morocco
5. Qamar-Ul Huda, United States Institute of Peace,
USA
6. Anwar N. Haddam , Liberty & Social Justice
Movement , Algeria
7. Randa Slim, International Institute for Sustained
Dialogue (IISD), USA
8. Abdelwahab El-Affendi, Centre for the Study
of Democracy, University of Westminster, UK
9. Ibrahim M. Hussein, Alliance of Egyptian Americans,
USA
10. Najah Kadhim, International Forum for Islamic
Dailogue, UK
11. Abdelazim Mahmoud Hanafi, Kenana Center for
Research and Studie , Egypt
12. Najib Ghadbian, University of Arkansas, US/Syria
13. Anna Mahjar Barducci, Middle East Media Research
Institute , Italy-Morocco
14. Malath Arar , GE Infra, Energy, USA
15. Ahmed Subhy Mansour, International Quranic
Center, USA/Egypt
16. Ahmed Shabaan, ICDS , Egypt
17. Abbas H.Rahi, Iraqi Organization for Rehabilitating
Society and Environment, Iraq 18. Gameela Ismail,
El Ghad Party, Egypt
19. Amir Salem, Justice and Freedom Party, Egypt
20. Mohamad Ibrahim, Noor Association for Social
Services, Egypt
21. Emad Farid, El Ghad Party , Egypt
22. Haytham Mouzahem, Independent Researcher and
Journalist, Egypt
23. Ibrahim Dadi, Islamic Thinker, Algeria
24. Othman Mohamed Ali, Pharmacist and Islamic
Researcher, Canada/Egypt
25. Adel Mohamed, Center for the Study of Islam,
Egypt
26. Hamdi Shehab, Alwasiqa Center for Citizenship
and H R, Egypt
27. Ahmed Farghali, Alwasiqa Center for Citizenship
and H R, Egypt
28. Mohamed Abdel Aziz, Ibn Khaldun Center for
Development Studies, Egypt
29. Mohamed Allawzi, Activist , France
30. Hamdi Abdelaziz, Sawasia Center for Human
Rights, Egypt
31. Ghassan Ali Othman, Islamic Researcher, Sudan
32. Mohieb Alarnaoti, Activist, Egypt
33. Safei-Eldin A. Hamed, Alliance of Egyptian
Americans AEA, USA/Egypt
34. Marwa Abdelkader Helmi, Activist , Egypt
35. Mohamed Fawzi, Human Association for Development
Studies, Egypt
Organizations for identification only (partial
list)
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