Syrian Expatriates Minister Buthaina Shaaban published Monday an open letter in an Arab newspaper, slamming a recent speech given by U.S. President George W. Bush on his vision for "democracy" in the Middle East.
"We do not doubt you want to see the Middle East a more stable and secure region," Shaaban wrote in Asharq Al-Awsat.
"But ... your policies, over the course of recent years, have increased hatred and resentment, blocked peace and caused considerable damage to the reputation of the United States and its place in people's hearts," the letter added.
"Your policy with regards to Iraq and the Arab-Israeli conflict created a real gulf between the United States and millions of Arabs and Muslims," added the former top foreign ministry official.
"Vetoing the deployment of a multinational force to protect Palestinians has allowed the Israeli government to build an apartheid wall and hundreds of settlements on Palestinian territory".
"If you continue in this way, your policy will augment the sufferings of the people in the region, aggravate the gulf between the United States and the rest of the world, and threaten peace and world security," Shaaban added.
"The solution, Mr. President, is not to raise the walls of your embassies and barricade yourselves behind them ... but to ... renounce violence, bias, occupation and colonisation, not only in speeches, but also on the ground and in votes in the Security Council," Shaaban said. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
