Politics and people
A question and answer session about where we might be
heading next.
(cairolive.com, October 30, 2001)
These are some of the questions that came up during
recent meetings in Cairo between US and Egyptian
diplomats and journalists
Have the US and Arab media been fair about
representing the point of view of the other?
According to Wyche Fowler, the former U.S. Ambassador
to Saudi Arabia, it is unfair that the Taliban point
of view regarding casualty figures and the results of
US operations in Afghanistan is more widely believed
than the US account. Fowler also has problems with the
"innocent martyr" language used by Qatari satellite
channel Al-Jazeera. He thinks al-Jazeera is still
developing its professionalism, much the same way it
took CNN nearly half a decade, and the Gulf War, to
get where it is today.
Do you see an upcoming Marshall plan put forth by the
US for the Arab and Muslim world?
According to Edward Walker, the former US ambassador
to Egypt and Israel, that term is too loaded to use in
the present context. He is, however, an advocate of a
controlled Marshall plan for the modern day.
How serious do you find the growing trend in the US --
whether within media or policy making circles -- to
consider any criticism of US foreign policy a sign of
disloyalty?
Walker told AP that it was a difficult dynamic. When
traveling in the Middle East -- as he is doing this
week during a "three-week, six-nation journey of
dialogue through the region... You have to speak their
language... You have to show a level of sympathy and
openness and frankness that can get you in trouble
back home.''
There has been some commentary in the Egyptian press
about the US taking on some elements of "third world"
countries regarding curtailing of freedom of
expression, civil liberties, etc., in the aftermath of
September 11. How do you feel about that?
Walker admits that there will be a "tightening up."
But since Americans' attention spans are limited, it
will be hard to keep it up. There is a correcting
mechanism in American politics and society, Walker
argues, "So I'm not worried."
What can Egypt do?
This is an opportunity for the Arab world to make
itself better known to the US, emphasizes Walker.
You've got to put the resources into it." Israelis
understand that -- and in this critical period, the
Arab world must understand it as well.