From: mart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: ARAB LEADERS REJECT IMPERIALIST WAR Foreign ministers of Islamic states met today in an emergency meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference issuing statements critical of the manner in which the U.S. is conducting the war against terrorism. Muslim leaders questioned whether the evidence gathered by the U.S. government on the September 11 attacks on the WTC and the Pentagon supports the attack on Afghanistan and whether innocent civilians are paying the price of retaliation. Qatar's Emir Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said retaliation `"should not extend to any but those who carried out those attacks. This requires providing conclusive evidence against the culprits.'' In an apparent rebuke of George W. Bush, he added: "The Islamic world was among the first to have called for the dialogue of civilizations ... instead of falling into conflicting sects, camps and clashing dichotomies based on the principle of "If you are not on my side, then you are against me". Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat warned at the meeting that the world should not focus solely on the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks and forget about the Palestinian-Israeli violence. Alluding to the Palestinian cause, Sheik Hamad called for a distinction to be made between terrorism and a people's "legitimate right to defend their freedom and self-determination.'' The ministers ended their meeting expressing in the final communique the Islamic conference's willingness to participate in a U.N.-led effort `"to define terrorism without selection or double standards and by treating its causes and eradicating its roots.'' (Earlier in the week, the Carlos Balin~o Institute issued a similar call in reference to Cuba appearing on list concocted by the U.S. government of countries that support terrorism). The communique also rejected "targeting any Islamic or Arab state under the pretext of fighting terrorism'' and expressed its concern over the death of Afghan civilians as a result of the U.S. strikes. Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa told The Associated Press that targeting Arab or Muslim states is ``forbidden.'' ``It was reaffirmed that the conference rejected outright targeting of any Arab or Muslim state and this means that all Arabs and Muslims will stand with the country that is attacked,'' he said. The communique for foreign ministers of the 56-member Islamic conference also rejected "linking terrorism to the Arab and Muslim people's rights, including the Palestinian and Lebanese people's right to self-determination, self-defense and resisting Israeli and foreign occupation and aggression.'' (It is hoped that the Arab leaders are not just reacting to fear of their own people and that they will back up their words with strong initiatives to halt the imperialist war). Review of New York Times article 10/10/01 by Luis Martin ------------------------------------------------- This Discussion List is the follow-up for the old stopnato @listbot.com that has been shut down ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://TOPICA.COM/u/?a84x2u.a9spXC Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
