Any hasty conclusions could lead to serious consequences
Regional-USA, Politics, 9/15/2001

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa on Thursday said he asked US Secretary of State Colin Powell during a phone call Wednesday evening to respect the human rights of America's Arab and Muslim communities, stressing the importance of not jumping to conclusions.

Any hasty conclusions could lead to serious consequences, Moussa said in statements to the press.

Powell said the U.S. administration is aware of this point that was discussed by President George Bush and a number of top officials, and it has started to take all the measures necessary for protecting all US citizens regardless of their origins, mousse said, noting that Powell's attitude was very positive in this regard.

Asked whether Powell asked for an alliance between the US, the Arab League and all Arab and Muslim countries against terrorism, Moussa said "there was no mention of alliances, but rather of dealing with the phenomenon of international terrorism."

Arab countries and communities are not isolated from the rest of the world as far as terrorism is concerned, because "we are in the same boat," Moussa said.

No haphazard conclusions should be drawn because the revolt against he negative aspects of the new world order is not restricted to any particular region or group, the Arab League chief said.

This is the moment at which we should offer solidarity to and express sympathy with the American people, Moussa said.

Queried about Israel's capitalizing on the fact that the international community was engrossed in the terrorist attack on the US to step up its aggression on the Palestinians, Moussa said Israel was playing "a dangerous game .. that would lead to more dangerous consequences."

He strongly criticized Israeli accusations that the Arabs were involved in the latest terror attacks against New York and Washington. It is fair to say the U.S. has not directed any accusations, directly or indirectly, at any party, stressing that charges must only come-after facts had emerged.

Previous Stories:
  American embassies reopen in Damascus, Amman   (9/14/2001)
  Mousa calls on Powell not to harass Arabs and Muslims   (9/14/2001)
  The Arabs call for not making accusations, randomly   (9/13/2001)

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