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و جعلناكم شعوبا و قبائل لتعارفوا....
و جعلناكم شعوبا و قبائل لتعارفوا....
From NY Times: Bush Lauds Egypt Leader, Avoiding Record on Dissent
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SHARM EL SHEIK, Egypt — President Bush lavished praise on President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt on Wednesday, emphasizing the country’s role in regional security and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process while publicly avoiding mention of the government’s actions in jailing or exiling opposition leaders and its severe restrictions on opposition political activities.

Ending an eight-day trip through the Middle East in which he highlighted democratic change as the foundation for peace and security throughout the region, Mr. Bush strikingly avoided direct criticism of Mr. Mubarak, an autocratic leader in power since late 1981. In the past, Mr. Bush criticized Egypt for arresting political dissidents.

“I appreciate very much the long and proud tradition that you’ve had for a vibrant civil society,” said Mr. Bush, whose appearance with Mr. Mubarak was unannounced and, according to the White House, had been uncertain until the last minute.

Mr. Bush’s remarks reflected some of the contradictions evident in the issues he addressed on his trip.

He spoke passionately at times about the birth of liberty and justice in countries that restrict them and the role of women in societies that still largely sequester them.

And yet he avoided public disputes with monarchical leaders widely accused of limiting freedoms as he sought Arab support for the peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians, the war in Iraq, diplomatic efforts to isolate Iran and easing the strain on the American economy caused by high oil prices.

On Sunday, in the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Bush delivered what his aides described as the keynote address of the trip when he spoke of setbacks in democratic reforms in remarks that his aides said were aimed at Egypt, among other nations.

“You cannot build trust when you hold an election where opposition candidates find themselves harassed or in prison,” he said. “You cannot expect people to believe in the promise of a better future when they are jailed for peacefully petitioning their government. And you cannot stand up a modern and confident nation when you do not allow people to voice their legitimate criticisms.”

Mr. Bush has previously criticized Egypt for arresting Mr. Mubarak’s main opponent in the presidential elections in 2005, Ayman Nour, who Mr. Bush last year said was “unjustly imprisoned.” Mr. Bush has also met with another prominent opposition leader, Saad Eddin Ibrahim, who has since fled Egypt, fearing arrest.

Mr. Bush mentioned neither man directly and included only an oblique reference to “strong civic and religious leaders who love their country and are determined to build a democratic future.”

“I appreciate the example that your nation is setting,” he said, facing the Egyptian president.

Mr. Mubarak expressed strong support for Mr. Bush’s efforts to broker a peace treaty in Israel, something that has become a focus of last year of the Bush administration. “We’re ready, hand-in-hand with the United States of America” to support the process Mr. Bush has advocated, he said, “for the sake of comprehensive and just peace.”

Neither mentioned a source of tension between Israel and Egypt, its control of its border with Gaza. Israel has accused Egypt of laxity or complicity in smuggling weapons through tunnels into Gaza, which is under the control of Hamas, the Islamic group.

“Egypt has to do more,” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told The Jerusalem Post last week. “Those tunnels need to be dealt with,” she said. “We’re prepared, obviously, to give” assistance, “but the will to do it is very important here.”

An administration official said that Gaza figured prominently on Mr. Bush’s agenda for the talks in Egypt on Wednesday, but it was not clear how hard he pressed the issue of Egypt’s willingness to help isolate Hamas in Gaza. Mr. Bush’s visit here was the shortest of his trip, which included stops in Israel, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. He stayed only three hours, reflecting Egypt’s diminished significance to the administration. Mr. Mubarak noted the brevity, saying in English, “You need much more days.”


January 17, 2008 | 4:44 AM Comments  1 comments

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rajcevic Miomir Rajcevic
January 18, 2008 | 5:47 PM
Invitation
Dear Ayman,

It could be great to have you and your team at the 3rd International youth Media Summit. You are very active and good fighter for humanity, democracy, better future for all of us.

The outcomes of the Summit are Public Service Announcements (PSAs) filmed and edited by student filmmakers as well as researched and prepared by the student diplomats.
The program of the Summit is exclusively designed to provide Skill and Professional Development as well as familiarizing the young participants with codes and standards of Media. Also, provide media platform for young adults to express and present the seven significant issues relating to them globally: Racism, Violence, Poverty, Youth
Empowerment, Women Empowerment, Health and Environment. More you can find at www.iyms.eu
I will be very happy to have you third time in Serbia.

Best regards to you and your family,

Miomir

PS: If you are not interested please forward my information to people you know that could be interested.
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