Detroit Arab- American forum:vow for rapprochement; Moussa links Iraq to development; Burns optimist on next generation
Regional-USA, Politics, 9/30/2003

The Arab- American economic forum continued deliberations in Detroit, and the secretary general of the Arab League announced in front of the participants that the return back of stability to Iraq is a vital precondition for economic development in the region.

In front of participants in the forum which brought together businessmen for the Arab states and the USA and a group of Arab and American politicians, Moussa said that "it is a great joint commitment shouldered by the international community to work together for restoring back stability and sovereignty to this main Arab country, as soon as possible." Moussa said "it is a very important matter for the Middle East region." Moussa also underlined the importance of reaching a peaceful settlement for the Palestinian - Israeli conflict.

He stressed the importance of economic and political cooperation between the USA and countries of the region. He said "the Arabs and the Americans have to define the vast essence of the common moral values which bring us closer together," adding " and we will realize we are not apart to a great extent." For his part, US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Joseph Burns talked about the American objectives in the region. In addition to "helping the Iraqis building a united state, Burns indicated the vision of the US President George W. Bush on a solution of two states Palestine and Israel.

But Burns stressed the importance of the American support for local efforts towards political and economic reforms in addition to the war against "terrorism." He said "I know that many in the region fear that measures taken to withstand terrorism will lead to blocking the doors on the Arab and Islamic worlds.. We sould not permit that.. we cannot accept losing contacts with the next generation in the region."

The forum which concludes its deliberations today opened its works on Sunday by a speech for the governor of Michigan Jennifer Granholm who said that the forum in its essence relates to understanding, noting that the people of Michigan and the Arab states do not differ greatly.

The forum witnessed signing a fraternity agreement between Detroit and Dubai. According to the chairman of the Forum's organizational commission Sam Hamdan, the forum seeks to highlight achievements in the Arab homeland and to concentrate on issues like trade liberalization, foreign investment, women, employment and educational reforms. Some 500 company directors and officials from Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are taking part in addition to the US secretary of state Colin Powell and the US energy secretary Spencer Abraham. Detroit, however, includes some 300,000 Americans of Arab origin.

Previous Stories:
  First Arab-US Economic Forum opens today   (9/29/2003)
  Bush remarks on 'terror'   (8/27/2003)
  Moussa confers with US congress delegation   (8/16/2003)
  MEPI To Create "Free and Dynamic Economies" in the Arab World   (6/27/2003)
  US-African Leaders Participate in U.S.-Africa Business Summit   (6/26/2003)
  U.S. Senators moot bill for broad mideast trade preferences   (6/20/2003)

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