Reforms in Arab World must come within, not impose, US official
Regional-USA, Politics, 5/15/2004

The US Government said it was committed to support any reform initiative likely to be carried out in some Arab countries, insisting however that such reforms should not be imposed and must come within.

The statement was made by Thursday evening in Rabat by the US Assistant Secretary for Near eastern Affairs Willim Burns prior to his leaving the Moroccan capital at the end of a few-hour visit to the Kingdom.

Those reforms whether economic, greater political participation, education opportunities, cannot be imposed from the outside. They can only be sustained and successful if they come within and driven by the self interest and desires of people throughout the region," Burns insisted.

He underlined the US "commitment" to provide "practical support to those in the region," citing the example of the "leadership in Morocco who have demonstrated courage and wisdom in the pursuance of reforms not as a favor to the united states but in their own self interest."

"Our commitment is as strong as ever and we look to be able to respond constructively to initiatives that come from the region whether they come from the Arab summit or individual countries in the weeks and months ahead," Burns went on.

He said his Government is ready to "offer practical programs and resources," underling that the recent Free Trade Agreement concluded between his country and Morocco is "a good example of that. It can help increase Moroccan exports, create jobs and serve the very tangible interest of Moroccans and that's the kind of thing we want to do in the region where there is a commitment to reform and a commitment to make those difficult choices," he said.

Burns also emphasized his Government's resolve to carry on "the war against terrorism and violent extremism."

Previous Stories:
  Burns: we have no interests to prescribe reforms   (5/14/2004)
  Al-Qaida proposes rewarding assassination of Bremer, Annan   (5/7/2004)
  International and Arab human rights organizations Sit-in in Beirut   (5/5/2004)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search