Why Is Obama’s State Department Uneasy About Democracy?
Jul. 7 2011 – 5:16 pm – Forbes – Richard Miniter

RABAT, Morocco—This past weekend Americans weren’t the only people celebrating their freedom.

On July 1, Morocco, became the first Arab country to peacefully vote itself into freedom–complete with a bicameral congress, elected president, protections for religious minorities (including the long-established Jewish community) and equal rights for women.

Yet the response from Washington was… cue the crickets.

The noisy silence is telling. President Barack Obama has said nothing about the first Arab country to become a democracy without U.S. tanks rumbling through its streets or mass uprisings of its citizens. Nor have congressional Republicans said much.

Washington, especially Obama’s State Department, has a democracy problem. Too many see democracy promotion as a Bush-era priority, others see democracy as “cultural imperialism,” and still others see dangers, not opportunities. The fear is that the Muslim Brotherhood or some other radical Islamist group may come to power.

The democracy doubters couldn’t be more wrong. The 19th century classical liberal thinkers were right about universal values being universal and people having a natural longing for natural rights.

Only by denying ordinary people their rights to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly is mass support of extremists born. Give people rights and an outlet and the extremists will sidelined. Of course, this must be done gradually and with care, as Morocco has done steadily since 2000.

The Morocco democracy referendum won with the participation of 73.46% of eligible voters, according to Morocco’s constitution council, the government body that supervised the referendum. By contrast, the most recent national election (for an assembly with far weaker powers) attracted only 37.5% of eligible voters. Almost three-quarters of Moroccans did not see democracy as a foreign import, but as a natural right long delayed in arriving.

And the huge turnout was a remarkable rebuke to the radical Islamists who called for a boycott. Al Qaeda’s North African wing, Al Qaeda in the Magreb (AQIM), has repeatedly thundered its opposition to democracy, which, in their view, substitutes the views of the majority for the strict Sharia law of God. They lost, overwhelmingly.

Some 97.5% of voters voted yes, indicating that almost three-quarters of adult Moroccans want real, Western-style democracy. Another 1.5% voted no, with the balance casting blank or spoiled ballots.

But Washington’s mindset is mired in the late 1960s and 1970s, when many of the senior policy makers graduated from college. Perhaps they read too much Marx and too little Mill, leaving them mentally unprepared for a complex world.

Thus, the few official statements from the State Department have been clueless and damaging.

In the run-up to the July 1 referendum, a State department spokesman used a single tepid adjective to describe the move toward the Arab world’s first peaceful democratic revolution: “encouraging.”

When I went to the Casablanca office of Ahmed Charai, publisher of L’Observateur and number of other Moroccan newspapers and magazines, I could tell the adjective still stung. His English was good enough to know that “encouraging” is what you say about a D student who has finally managed a C+.

Over the next few days, I heard that word “encouraging” parsed by a number of other prominent Moroccans, including the Minister of Interior Saad Husar, who oversees the nation’s internal police forces. The word seemed insultingly small and careful; a word best reserved for a development in North Korea.

It is not a word for a dramatic shift from an absolute (though relatively gentle) monarchy with a weak consultative assembly to a constitutionally limited monarchy with a strong, sovereign parliament and an elected president who can remove executive branch officials without entreating the king. …more

Bahrain reinstates 564 sacked workers
Manama: Wed, 27 Jul 2011

A total of 564 workers sacked as a consequence of the recent unrest in Bahrain have been reinstated so far, while dismissals of 370 workers had nothing to do with recent incidents, said the kingdom’s Labour Minister.

A total of 244 sacked workers didn’t submit any complaints after they found other jobs or made settlements or retired, Jameel Humaidan pointed out.

A committee, in charge of looking into dismissals of workers, has submitted its final report to concerned authorities.

Ministry officials are holding regular meetings with companies’ managers to finalise new lists of workers to be reinstated. – TradeArabia News Service

…source

NATO seeks urgent exit strategy in Libya
by Staff Writers – London (UPI) Jul 26, 2011

NATO is seeking an urgent exit strategy from Libya that will end the fighting and decide the future of embattled leader Moammar Gadhafi, even if that means letting him stay in the country though out of power, it emerged Tuesday after British and French foreign ministers met in London.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague and French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said NATO and even members of the opposition Transitional National Council wouldn’t oppose Gadhafi staying in Libya as long as he gave up power.

In the only Libyan voice of dissent reported so far, activist Soliman Albrassi, living in London, said allowing Gadhafi to stay in Libya would be a recipe for civil war, the BBC said.

Hague and Juppe received support for the proposal from former British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind, who said it would be important to avoid a “blood bath in Tripoli” — seen as a likely outcome if a final military push to the Libyan capital triggered close combat.

Hague said: “What happens to Gadhafi is ultimately a question for the Libyans … What is absolutely clear, as Alain (Juppe) has said, is that whatever happens, Gadhafi must leave power. He must never again be able to threaten the lives of Libyan civilians nor to destabilize Libya once he has left power.”

“Obviously him leaving Libya itself would be the best way of showing the Libyan people that they no longer have to live in fear of Gadhafi,” Hague said.

“But as I have said all along, this is ultimately a question for Libyans to determine.”

Juppe said the allies were in “perfect cooperation” in Libya and “must continue to exert strong pressure on the Libyan regime with the same methods.”

“If we did not intervene four months ago it would have been a massacre in Benghazi and I think we may be proud to have taken this courageous decision,” Juppe said.

Diplomacy is being driven by lack of results from the military campaign as it drains NATO resources amid constant Libyan opposition pleas for more military aid, food and medical supplies.

NATO decision-makers are treading cautiously to forestall an escalation that could pit them against a moral dilemma or — worse — require large-scale military commitments on ground.

Military analysts said more than half of Tripoli’s key installations are in ruins after NATO bombardment and missile strikes and rebel action. There were renewed reports of worsening shortages of food and fuel in the Gadhafi ranks. …more

Athletes rally in Baghdad, demand release of Iraqi football player detained in Bahrain
SAMEER N. YACOUB Associated Press

5:45 a.m. EDT, July 27, 2011
BAGHDAD (AP) — Dozens of athletes rallied in Baghdad on Wednesday, demanding the release of a 16-year-old Iraqi football player detained in Bahrain earlier this year when the country was swept by anti-government protests.

Hussein Aboud, a coach in Baghdad’s al-Hadoud club, says the arrest of Zulfiqar Naji was not justified and was politically motivated. Naji plays for Bahrain’s al-Muharraq club, and his supporters say he did not participate in protests against the Bahraini government.

“We demand the release of Naji, whose arrest was unjustifiable,” Aboud said. “He is being kept in prison because Bahraini authorities want to show that the protests are a foreign conspiracy.”

Video: Surveillance video captures Norway blast

The Baghdad protesters were wearing their club jerseys. They held posters of Naji and banners urging the Iraqi government to intervene to ensure his immediate release.

His father, Abdulameer Naji, accused the Iraqi government for doing little to help.

“The whole family has been living in constant ordeal for the past four months,” the father said. “My son did nothing wrong, and he is now in custody based on false information.”

Earlier this month, Iraq’s foreign ministry said it was trying to obtain the release of the young player from Bahrain’s custody.

Hundreds of opposition supporters, protesters and at least 150 athletes and sports officials have been detained since Bahrain imposed martial law in March to quell dissent. Dozens have been tried in a special security tribunal with military prosecutors.

Bahrain lifted the emergency rule in June. The country’s Sunni rulers also halted trials in the military-linked tribunal and shifted all protest-related detainees to civilian courts.

Several weeks ago, FIFA said Bahraini football officials have given the sport’s governing body assurances that national team players haven’t been disciplined during political turmoil in the Gulf kingdom. …source

Bahrain Students Feel Regime’s Wrath
Tuesday, 26 July 2011

The way the authorities in Bahrain are responding to the protests that have crippled this island kingdom since February 14, 2011 shows they are not short of means to suppress demands for more rights and freedom.

When the people decided to go to the streets to pressure the regime into making genuine political reforms, doctors, teachers, taxi drivers, businessmen, lawyers and people from all walks of life joined in support of the protesters’ cause. The regime was taken by surprise and it suddenly realised that thwarting the formal opposition was not enough, and that it needed to do something more drastic to deter its critics.

More than 2,000 public servants, doctors and workers from both the public and private sectors were dismissed from their work. Thousands more men, women, minors, doctors, nurses and journalists were arrested, interrogated and tortured in custody.

According to reports, at least four people have died under torture in prison. To spread fear, checkpoints were set up to intimidate. Security forces carried out night-time raids on villages to terrorise. The main Salmaniya medical centre and private hospitals were raided to round up wounded protesters and put them in jail. A state of terror has gripped the island since the violent crackdown in March on the Pearl square protesters. The intention has been very clear; to silence everyone.

Within this context and against this gloomy backdrop, the regime hunted down students who took part or were suspected to have taken part in the demonstrations. They were called Bahrain university for questioning. Those found “guilty” of so-called offences were suspended for one year or expelled from university for good, and referred to the police. The offences ranged from being photographed at a demonstration, holding a banner or waving a flag, blogging, tweeting or posting a comment on Facebook.

One of the affected students said that there were no set rules for handing down the “disciplinary” actions against them. No one knew exactly why they was suspended or expelled from the university, and students were not able to get copies of their academic credits.…more

The Courtship of Iran and Pakistan
By Abolghasem Bayyenat, July 25, 2011

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari greets Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad; photo by Alireza Sotakbar, courtesy of ISNAPakistani President Asif Ali Zardari paid a second visit to Tehran last weekend after having been there only three weeks ago. Official reports by Pakistani and Iranian sources broadly characterized the visit as “part of the ongoing process to strengthen bilateral ties, step up consultations with countries in the region for peace and stability at a time when tension was developing in some parts and for promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan and fighting militancy.” But this rationale hardly warrants two head-of-state level official visits in such a short span of time. After all, lower-level officials could have dealt with such concerns, as in the past.

On the other hand, contrary to some far-fetched speculation, Pakistan is not likely to be playing a mediating role between Iran and the West (when Pakistan’s relationship with the United States is so vexed) or acting as a mediator between Saudi Arabia and Iran (when the two countries are now on better speaking terms).

In light of recent developments in Pakistan’s foreign policy, Zardari’s made two visits in three weeks to Tehran because of the unfolding political crisis between Pakistan and the United States provoked by the U.S. raid on Osama bin Laden’s hideout near Islamabad in early May. Pakistan strongly condemned the raid as a blatant violation of its national sovereignty. It restricted the U.S. military’s access of its soil for conducting drone strikes on suspected militants and reducing the number of U.S. military advisors in Pakistan. The United States retaliated by freezing $800 million worth of military aid to Islamabad.
Reasons for Attraction

Even in the absence of a crisis in U.S-Pakistan relations, Iran and Pakistan have abundant rationales for establishing a dependable framework for closer bilateral relations. Apart from the cultural and religious bonds between the two nations, economic and security considerations drive relations of the two countries. …more

West must support democracy in Arab world as it did in Central Europe

Western leaders must support democracy in the Arab world now in 2011 as they did in Central and Eastern Europe in 1989. The time for viewing dictatorships as defenders of Western civilization is finished.

By Laszlo Bruszt and David Stark / July 27, 2011
Fiesole, Italy

The summer has not brought consolidation to processes of political change in North Africa. The political landscapes in Egypt and Tunisia are highly volatile. With only a few months before crucial elections, it is still highly uncertain who and what can guarantee that elections will widen and not narrow the road to consolidated democracy.

This situation is remarkably similar to the one Central Europeans experienced during their summer of uncertainty in 1989. But, whereas Western leaders offered a new vision about political change in Eastern Europe, the clumsy steps by Western leaders in 2011 do nothing to promote guarantees for democratic outcomes in North Africa, and they might actually have detrimental effects.

Democratic transitions in Central Europe in 1989 and those in North Africa today have an important feature in common. Authoritarian regimes on both continents were embedded in geopolitical pacts: External support given to these repressive regimes was seen as integral for sustaining regional stability.

In Eastern Europe, interventions by key Western leaders, at a highly uncertain and crucial conjuncture, helped reframe notions of regional security. Confronting head-on the dominant views that saw regime change in these countries as a potential threat to stability, they pictured democratization as an opportunity to recast global and regional frameworks.

RELATED: People-powered democratic revolts – do they last?

Central European democrats in 1989, like their North African counterparts in 2011, confronted a dual problem in uncharted territory. While challenging the domestic rules of the game that sustained authoritarianism, they also challenged the regional rules of the game that sustained these oppressive regimes. In so doing, they threatened external actors who took for granted that their interests were best served by the status quo. …more

Breivik failed to achieve his goals: Oslo Imam
shiapost | July 27, 2011

Attacks carried out by Anders Breivik did not help him achieve his goals, and all ethnic and religious communities in Norway are united as never before, director of the World Islamic Mission in Oslo, Najeeb-ur-Rehman Naz told the ITAR-TASS news agency.

A mourning service will be held in Norway`s largest mosque tonight in memory of those who died in twin attacks last Friday.

“This is a real tragedy, and it has nothing to do with religion”, said Rehman Naz.

Statistics say migrants make up 28% of the Oslo population, half of them come from Muslim countries. …source

Norway: Democratic Defiance Amid Devastation
Posted by: Simon Maghakyan, July 26, 2011

Tragedies often bring out anger, outburst, and, sometimes, hate. Not so much in Norway. Amid the devastating massacre of dozens, Norway is making sure its soul of tolerance is not stained with blood. Below are top five inspiring quotes by Norwegian officials.

1. Mayor of Oslo: “We shall punish the terrorist, and this will be his punishment: more democracy, more tolerance, more generosity.”

2. Norwegian Prime Minister: “…the answer to violence is even more democracy.”

3. Diplomat Steinar Gil: “Norway will not change. Evil will not prevail.”

4. Norwegian Prime Minister: “With the strongest of all weapons — the free word and democracy — we stake our course for Norway.”

5. Crown Prince of Norway: “Tonight the streets are filled with love. We have chosen to meet hatred with unity. We have chosen to show what we stand for.”

Norway’s message is clear: counter terror with more democracy. As Ernest Hemingway has said, courage is grace under pressure. May the Norwegian victims rest in peace. And may Norway’s democracy prevail. …source

Mounting fears for Bahraini teachers held after protests
27 July 2011 – Amnesty International

Bahrain’s authorities must immediately release two teachers held since they led a strike in March if they are being held solely for their involvement in peaceful protests, Amnesty International said today amid claims one of them was tortured.

Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb were among several board members of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association (BTA) arrested in Manama after the group called for a teachers’ strike amid wide-scale pro-reform protests in March.

Their colleagues have since been released, but the two – the group’s former president and vice-president – are still facing trial on charges that include “inciting hatred against the regime” and “calling to overthrow and change the regime by force”.

“None of the statements made in relation to the teachers’ strike advocated violence of any kind. If these teachers are being held solely because they led a peaceful demonstration, they must be released immediately,” said Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Director.

“We are very concerned about reports that Jalila al-Salman was beaten in custody – Bahraini authorities must immediately set up a full, impartial and independent investigation into these allegations and bring to justice anyone found responsible.”

Following the unrest in Bahrain in February and March, the Minister of Human Rights and Social Development dissolved the BTA’s board and replaced them with government appointees.

More than 40 security officers raided Jalila al-Salman’s house in Manama on 29 March. At first, she was reportedly taken to the Criminal Investigations Directorate and held in solitary confinement and subjected to beatings for about a week.

She was then transferred to a detention centre in ‘Issa Town, just south of the capital, where she remains. Her family learned of her whereabouts two months after her arrest, but have only been allowed to visit her on two occasions, under strict surveillance.

Both Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb appeared before a military court several times in June before their cases were transferred to a civilian court and postponed until further notice. …more

The Pearl’s Pillars
by Maryam Al-Khawaja

Five arms stretched from the ground
Each palm embraced the pure limp bodies in shrouds

Their reflection was a wide glow in the dark night

Shining down on the peaceful crowds
Five arms stretched from the ground
Each palm held a cry of “Allahu Akbar”
Held a revolutionary song
Held a poem of defiance
Held a scream for freedom

Five arms stretched from the ground
Palms covered with a grave of flowers
Fingertips pointing towards the heavens
A mother’s tears celebrating a wedding’s last hours

Five arms came down with vengeance
But heroes stood their ground
Flowers in hand
Bullets were the only answer they found

She stood there
Flag held high
The red splattered blood on the earth
As the remaining white screamed “I am peaceful!”

Five arms stood no more
Like the fresh buds of spring
Arms emerged from every futile earth
Rising above lands
Diseased with money and power

The red seeped through the earth
With the cries of the martyrs’ children
The ground shook
And the throne broke
King came down on his knees
In the air echoed the crown prince’s pleas

“I promise you words
Words worth your blood
Come now, don’t delay
Come to dialogue I say
Hand in hand
Pull me out from the quicksand
And in this dark hour
Help me stay in power”

The young voice drowned his pleas
Thus into hiding he fleas
“Accountability, accountability,
You have lost your credibility
When your army shot our sons
Using U.S. made guns”

So the tribe caught her
and beat her with knives and swords
Then showered her with stones
As they cried to the world
“Stone her she is sectarian
She eats at Lebanese restaurants
And owns Iranian rugs
Our unarmed tanks she hunts
No we swear those are not our thugs”
And foreign hands played the melody to their cries
As they spread propaganda and lies

Plays of deceit
Created by their playwrights
“You are Shiaa
Every year
We discover and foil your plan
Of overthrowing our clan
In the restaurant you were trained
And the rug in conspiracy we framed
Close down the restaurant
The rugs tear to bits
Quickly quickly
Before they discover our fibs”

Slowly but surely
From beneath the rubble
A fist emerged
“Do what you will
My voice you cannot kill
My land I will never betray
And from the path of righteousness I will not stray
I stand against every foreign intervention
While you invite them to kill and put my people in detention
My determination will not heed
Nor will your plays succeed
For I am not Shiaa
Nor am I Sunni

I am forever only Bahraini!

The Muslim Brotherhood doesn’t pose a threat to democratic reform, a top military official said this week.
Wednesday, July 27,2011 11:39 – by Desmond Shephard

The Muslim Brotherhood doesn’t pose a threat to democratic reform, a top military official said this week. Major General Said el-Assar, in an attempt to quell international worries of the growing Brotherhood popularity in the country, said fears of the Islamic group are unfounded.

He said the Brotherhood had a right to participate in the political life and future of Egypt as does any other group in the country.

“They are not seeking to have a religious country,” said Assar, a member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) that took control when ousted President Hosni Mubarak relinquished power.

“They have to have the same rights as all Egyptians.”

Assar assured an audience on Sunday at the United States Institute of Peace, a government-funded organization, that the military council is eager to hand over authority to civilian parliament and president to be elected later this year.

Elections are scheduled for November, after having been pushed back from an initial September date. Ongoing protests here in Cairo are continuing to call for the end of military rule, despite the timetable established by the ruling junta.

The general continued to say that the 1979 Camp David Accords with Israel will not be amended and the military remains committed to international treaties.

However, he was reported to say that newly elected officials must respond to public sentiment in Egypt. …source