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U.S., Arab leaders try to mend relationsThey agree on need for openness in Arab societies
DETROIT, Michigan (CNN) -- Leaders attending a forum on economic development in the Middle East discussed ways of repairing U.S.-Arab relations, severely damaged since September 11, 2001. Close to 1,000 U.S. and Arab policy, business, social and technology officials are in Detroit for this week's U.S-Arab Economic Forum, to address ways of fostering better ties between the two societies in an effort to foster development of the Middle East. The meeting comes as the Bush administration is juggling a complex myriad of policy challenges in the Middle East, topped by the situation in Iraq, the war on terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will give the keynote address at Monday's forum dinner on U.S. relations with the Arab world during this time of turmoil in the region. Powell is also expected to meet the foreign ministers of Egypt and Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the meeting, officials said. Arab leaders recognized the need for more openness and democratization in the region, as the United States has been pushing for, but said that reform must be carried out from within. Amr Moussa, secretary-general of the Arab League, said that while Arab people themselves should undertake reforming their own societies, Arabs "should be open to objective criticism" on how countries can improve. Moussa noted that the combined gross domestic product of the 22 countries in the Middle East is less than that of Spain, but has enormous potential to grow. "We most openly and courageously act to remove obstacles," Moussa said, adding that the feelings of "injustice and bitterness" on the part of Arabs are "not conducive" to fostering development in the region. "America must see it has a stake in Arab development and the Arab world must realize good relations with America are vital" to development in the region, he said. The participants also discussed ways to strengthen existing partnerships and establish new relationships between the United States and Arab countries in governmental reform, energy relations, education reform, empowering women and increasing trade, foreign investment and transfer of technology. The chairman and CEO of Hewlett Packard, Carly Fiorina, told participants the "potential of a company or a country is in direct proportion to how empowered, how free everyone inside their country is." Echoing Fiorina's view, the crown prince of Bahrain called on the Arab-American community to educate Arabs in the need of empowering the individual. Addressing the conference via satellite, Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said countries in the Middle East "put the needs of the community over the needs of the individual." Such policies, he said, inspire conformity rather than people who can make a difference. "Show the power of individualism, the power of both men and women to stand up for themselves" he told Arab-Americans, in what was considered by many at the conference to be an extremely forward-looking address for an Arab leader. Burns: 'Plain truths'For his part, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Near East Affairs William Burns discussed the need for the United States and the Arab world to speak "plain truths" about the relationship between the two societies, but also defended U.S. policies in the region. "I can't understand anyone questioning the fundamental wisdom of President Bush's decision" to invade Iraq, Burns said, after pointing out that in a recent visit to Iraq he found Iraqis happy to be rid of Saddam Hussein's regime. However, he acknowledged the United States had a long way to go to help Iraq become a free, stable thriving society. "Nothing is more important to America's Middle East agenda than getting Iraq policy right," he said. "We simply cannot afford the alternative." On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Burns said Israel, Palestinians and the Arab world all must honor their responsibilities to the so-called road map to peace, which envisions a Palestinian state existing with Israel by 2005, insisting, "road maps don't implement themselves." He called on the Palestinians to install a leadership not tainted by terrorism and to "confront those among them who drag the Palestinian dreams down," a pointed reference to Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat. But he also urged the Israelis to stop settlement activity and the construction of a fence between Israel and the Palestinian territories, insisting it "undermines Israeli and Palestinian interests." "Settlements continue to grow today encouraged by Israeli government policies," Burns said. "Settlement activity must stop." On economic development in the Middle East, Burns said the United States supports "real change" in the region, and is committed to helping Arab countries that are open to political and economic reforms, such as elections, creation of civil societies, free press and empowerment for women. He also said that countries like Syria and Libya could end their isolation and foster their economic development by ending their support for terrorism. Both countries are listed by the State Department as state sponsors of terrorism.
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