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In order to push forward the Arabic and Islamic world's democratic reform and opening up, the Bush administration intended to set forth a "Greater Middle East" Plan which, though not yet been formally published, has triggered off various rumors. Interviewed by French newspaper Le Figaro, Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak said he did not know the details of the "Greater Middle East" Plan, so he could only wait to ask President Bush during his visit to the United States next month.
As disclosed, the main content of the "Greater Middle East" Plan is: it involves not only the 22 member countries of the League of Arab States (LAS), but also Israel, Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The United States has put forward a series of measures to solve the political, economic, social and cultural problems of the region, especially Arab and Islamic countries, demanding that they carry out democratic reform and economic opening-up, for instance, establishing a free electoral system, separating education from Islamic Fundamentalism, practicing freedom of the press and speech, opening the Market and providing women with freedom to join the army and do business.
Although attitudes toward the "Plan" are not completely identical among different Arab states, the keynote is: the arguments "against" outdo those "for" and major countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia are very firm in their stand. Egyptian President's tours to Rome, Paris and London which just ended on Mar. 7 showed his basic attitude is: rejecting the externally-imposed, single-modeled reform proposal, because it fails to respect the local tradition and Arabic social history. Mubarak warned by citing the example of Algeria 12 years ago that it would probably lead to regional violence and turbulence. Arab does not refuse assistance but the important thing is to conduct self-reform, which not only fits national conditions, but also proceed in an orderly and gradual manner. The greatest concern of the Arab world is the Iraq issue and the Palestine-Israel issue of which, the Palestine issue must be resolved, otherwise, reform of Arab countries is out of the question.
Mubarak explained to European countries Arab nations' stand mentioned above during his visit to the continent. While expressing their support, European countries concerned also expressed their attitude of reservation. The main difference between Europe and the United States on the "Greater Middle East" Plan is: Europe hopes that the United States would exert balanced efforts on the reform plan and in solving Middle East disputes and should not favor one more than another. Additionally, it should conduct consultations with countries in the region beforehand. France and Germany also held that any reform should avoid the pitfall of "neglecting national characteristics and damaging Islam", and stressed that agreement must be reached on solving the Palestine-Israel disputes.
According to US Secretary of State Colin Powell and political deputy Secretary of State Marc Grossman's recent visit to the Middle East, it seems that the "Greater Middle East" Plan is still being substantiated and adjusted, meanwhile, the Untied States is also testing Arab states' attitudes. Of course, the Untied States also hopes that the Plan will receive support from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and European Union (EU).
Grossman noted in Brussels on Mar. 5 that he had noticed the concern and wide-ranging discussion among Middle East countries, Washington is going to treat Europe's reservation seriously. Grossman said the United States would not force the reform plan on anyone; he was also aware of the different conditions in Middle East countries. Therefore all countries can refer to the plan based on their own conditions. The Deputy Secretary of State also expressed: the United States' plan would not put Palestine-Israeli dispute aside, let alone replace the Middle East Peace Plan. He also stressed, "Palestine-Israel dispute should not be taken as an excuse for not doing other things, " reform cannot wait to be carried out until after complete peace is achieved.
Grossman said frankly that his recent visits to the Middle East and Europe were beneficial. He added there would be three important meetings in June, i.e., Group of 8 (G-8), the US-EU and the US-NATO meetings, at which Washington would further discuss matters concerning the "Greater Middle East" Plan with various parties. Whatever the case, it is hard for Arab people to accept any external reform plan to be imposed on them.
(People's Daily March 12, 2004)
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