Whither Democracy

Submitted by Taha Abdulla Baharoon (United Arab Emirates), Jan 31, 2006 at 00:36

Dear Editor,

The Quartet seems to be confused – and is surely confusing the world with them - following the much expected ascendance of Hamas to power. What is obvious, however, is that they (Quartet) are now publicly punishing the entire Palestinian population for legally bringing Hamas to power. Whither democracy?

President Bush, the standard bearer of this "Crusade", has thought it fit to warn Hamas of the possible review of the US financial aid unless it comes down to its feet and to the level of the corrupt FATAH by recognizing the right of Jewish state to exist, by abandoning "Terror" and by honoring the existing agreement between Israel and Palestinians in return of nothing – back to square one. And like sheep lead to slaughter, the EU, the UN and Russia have endorsed this outrageous American blackmailing with "Hallelujah"!

But what about Palestinian rights, haven't they got any? No one throughout the entire "Civilized World" has the guts of talking about Palestinian rights. What kind of negotiation, or agreement, could there be between the occupier and the nation under the yoke of brutal military occupation?

This biased and cowardly stand by the Quartet is now polarizing even the most moderates throughout the Muslim World. I am sure Hamas will not give in to blackmailing and they do expect to receive some kind of an assurance on the right of return, an assurance with regard to the kind of border for their Palestinian state, an assurance on Al Quds and an assurance on the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails before it allows itself to be forced into making senseless concessions like FATAH did earlier. Hamas are quite aware that they have nothing to lose because Palestinians cannot be in the worse condition.

As stated in my previous email to your website, the US isn't at all interested in peace in the Middle East, or in the Muslim World for that matter, it wishes instead for the never-ending-peace-process in Palestine and the so called " War on Terror" to continue for ever simply because the US survives in the "low intensity conflicts" Examples in hand are Lebanon, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Palestinian, Afghanistan and Cuba. Whither democracy?

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