Mideast Democracy Summit Ends With No Deal

[Astronuc]

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP, ANNE GEARAN) -

A US-backed summit meant to promote political freedom and economic change in the Middle East ended Saturday without agreement, a blow to President Bush's goals for the troubled region.

A draft declaration on democratic and economic principle was shelved after Egypt insisted on language that would have given Arab governments greater control over which democracy groups receive money from a new fund.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also used the conference to send a message to Syrians chafing under authoritarian rule, saying Washington backs their "aspirations for liberty, democracy and justice under the rule of law."

Bush hosted a coming-out party for the Forum for the Future last year at Sea Island, Ga., and the U.S. is putting up half of the $100 million in a venture capital fund for economic development launched at this year's gathering.

The White House had hoped the conference would showcase political progress in a part of the world long dominated by monarchies and single-party rule, and spread goodwill for the U.S.

American officials seemed startled that an ally, Egypt, threw up a roadblock.

With regard to the venture capital money the US and others are putting up, one has to wonder to whom the money is going.

Apparently General John Abizaid has called for making 'microloans' to Iraqi women in order to help build a stable foundation for democracy. However, this does not appear on Bush's agenda. So I must question how can Bush claim to support democracy when his policies do not.

 

[Skyhunter]

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP, ANNE GEARAN) -
With regard to the venture capital money the US and others are putting up, one has to wonder to whom the money is going.
Apparently General John Abizaid has called for making 'microloans' to Iraqi women in order to help build a stable foundation for democracy. However, this does not appear on Bush's agenda. So I must question how can Bush claim to support democracy when his policies do not.

The same way he claimed Iraq had WMD. This guy doesn't care about reality, it is all about agendas within agendas.

 

[SOS2008]

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP, ANNE GEARAN) -
With regard to the venture capital money the US and others are putting up, one has to wonder to whom the money is going.
Apparently General John Abizaid has called for making 'microloans' to Iraqi women in order to help build a stable foundation for democracy. However, this does not appear on Bush's agenda. So I must question how can Bush claim to support democracy when his policies do not.

Probably from the private sector (like the Tsunami), then it will disappear. Personally I get annoyed when U.S. tax dollars are allotted to oil-rich countries...or rich oil companies.

In the meantime, anything that is U.S. backed will be unpopular--anywhere.

 

[Astronuc]

Apparently General John Abizaid has called for making 'microloans' to Iraqi women in order to help build a stable foundation for democracy.

Actually, there is a lot of support for this idea. It is a good way to bootstrap economies in the developing world. The money gets distributed among the population rather than going lump sum to corrupt governments, which then divert the money out of the countries.

The accountability for US aid is extremely poor - and it would not surprise me that it ends up far from where is supposed to go, or where the government says it is going initially.