100 Arab thinkers discuss in Cairo the dialogue of cultures
Regional, Culture, 11/24/2001

More than 100 political and media thinkers and scholars will meet on Monday at the headquarters of the Arab League, to discuss the issue of "Dialogue of Cultures" and to put the broadlines for the Arab move.

This meeting brings the Arab League back to its traditional interaction with the events and basic issues, away from the politics and their problems, and enables it to deal in a more comprehensive manner with the various issues of the society.

In an interview with Al-Ahram, Amr Moussa, Secretary General of the Arab League gave some significant remarks on this subject, which he considers as directly connected with his plans to develop and reconstruct the Arab League. Excerpts:

In the wake of 11 September events, the Arabs and Muslims were accused of being motivated by violence, and that such behavior is rooted in their culture.

Some hostile remarks in the US and British media said "We'll defeat Islam, just as we defeated communism."

Others said that Arabs and Muslims cannot be controlled except through re-occupation.

The result was that the Arabs abroad suffer a lot from maltreatment, and it was essential therefore to act urgently.

For this reason, I invited for more than 109 Arab scholars and thinkers in politics and mass media, beside some Arabs who live abroad in order to discuss this important issue.

They do not necessarily represent all Arab intellectuals, but we cannot invite all.

The outcome of the meeting would be submitted at the Arab summit in Beirut next March. But there are some steps that would be actioned on immediate basis.

The plan of Arab move does not depend on the media only. There was a decision to establish an Arab satellite channel, but unfortunately it is not yet set up, due to the lack of serious and effective funding.

Very soon, there would be an Arab-Islamic dialogue, but in the beginning there should be an Arab-Arab dialogue.

The address of US Secretary of State Colin Powell is positive and balanced. He termed the situation as "occupation", not "disputed lands", and said that the Palestinian state should be created.

He used all the terms that disappeared from the US dictionary; such as the formula of "Land for Peace", and this in itself is a significant progress.

The Arab countries should agree to the minimum, as it is difficult to end all disputes before moving.

There are many profound differences between some European countries, but this doesn't preclude that they come out with one stance.

Unfortunately, the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories i6 going from load to worse.

Sharon has led the issue into a very complex dilemma, and I hope that the Americans would succeed in stimulating the situation and coming out with a fair solution.

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