A Crisis in Arab Economies
As a subscriber to NEWSWEEK International, the message of your two most recent covers concerns me. The Sept. 30 cover shows close-ups of Saddam Hussein and George W. Bush with a cover line that asks, “Who Will Win?” The answer is neither. The moral consequences for America and the world would be of disastrous proportions. Then, the Oct. 7 cover depicts a person in Islamic dress walking among shadows with the cover line, “Drifting Toward Disaster: Can the Arab World Survive a War in Iraq?” The answer is yes, but how it will survive is, of course, another question. You cover the pros and cons in your reports but leave the image and message that war is a given. Can’t you find responsible voices that present another message? Why not a special issue entitled, “Isn’t There Another Way?” More and more, I find myself embarrassed by the arrogance of American economic, military and political power. The United States stands on the precipice of splintering the world asunder. As Nelson Mandela said, America’s action could “unleash chaos.” I’m praying for a more responsible U.S. world view as a guideline for a new century. “God Bless America” is a beautiful song, but we must remember that this is God’s world. I fear we Americans are forgetting that. Joe Stroud Matsuyama, Japan
Your Oct. 7 special report on the stagnating economy of the Arab world, “Drifting Toward Disaster,” was long overdue. But you left out one important detail: the issue of massive corruption, and the West’s encouragement of this corruption. Officials who trade in their nation’s welfare in exchange for personal monetary gratification are more useful to Western governments than honest officials who pursue policies that are in their nation’s best interest. It is this association between Western interests and their propagation of incompetent, venal, corrupt, repressive and ignorant policymakers in the Arab economies of theft that creates anti-Western feeling among ordinary people here. Cherif el Gharbi Cairo, Egypt
Congratulations to Stephen Glain for his revealing report. It turns the misinformed claims of those who feel that the root cause of the Middle East problem is Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land on their heads. The real problem afflicting Arab societies is the combination of repressive government and economic mismanagement. Is it little wonder, then, that such matters gave rise to Islamic militancy? It is time for these Arab governments and their blind supporters in the West to stop blaming the West and Israel for all that is afflicting their societies. D. Panner Selvam Singapore
I liked your Oct. 7 cover, which asked, “Drifting Toward Disaster–Can the Arab World Survive?” Perhaps it’s also justified to ask, “Can the U.S. Survive?” Most of the world is ready to believe that the United States can beat Iraq militarily in a very short time. But what about the cans of worms that will be opened in the process–such as presence amid hostile populations, sabotage in the oilfields, terrorism against U.S. targets everywhere, the Israel-Palestine situation, ethnic conflicts, etc.? Politicians don’t tell Americans that they will be there for a very long time, maybe even decades. Are ordinary Americans ready to see this through? Bernard Davy George, South Africa
In your Oct. 7 special report entitled “Slow Death,” you stated that EFG-Hermes shows that $15 billion fled Egypt between 1999 and 2001. This is simply not true. In fact, during that period the total “net errors and omissions,” which are proxies for capital flight, amounted to only $2.4 billion for the three years combined. Recent trends show significant improvement. As for your quotation of Omar Abdullah, predicting a crisis within five years, we certainly do not subscribe to this view. We are aware that Egypt has economic difficulties and that certain policies, particularly in the area of exchange rate, need to become more flexible. However, to assume that this will lead to a “crisis” is farfetched. Recent policy statements give hope that the government is moving in the right direction. Mohamed Taymour, Chairman EFG Hermes Holding Co. Giza, Egypt
Reforms at the Fund
Your article on the International Monetary Fund lacked balance (“Ready for a Role Change,” World Affairs, Oct. 7). The IMF’s commitment to reform is not recent. Most of the policy changes you describe were set in motion some time ago, as managing director Horst Kohler highlighted in his keynote speech at our September 2000 annual meetings. That process of change continues. Many of the reforms you describe–sometimes incorrectly: our proposal of sovereign debt restructuring does not envision a referee’s role for the fund–are the result of ongoing analysis and interaction with our critics. They make a difference. Economic failure is often blamed on the IMF, while successes accrue to the governments. But to dismiss the work of this institution as a litany of failures is wrong. From Mexico and Mozambique to SouthKorea and Kyrgyzstan, there are many examples of countries with IMF-supported programs that have made significant economic achievements in the wake of crises or in the course of working to improve the livelihoods of their people. We are proud to participate in these efforts. Learning from our mistakes is part of the process of becoming more effective. Thomas C. Dawson, Director External Relations Department International Monetary Fund Washington, D.C.
An Impending Invasion?
Would Americans have voted for George W. Bush if they’d known that he would choose to invade Iraq and try to topple Saddam Hussein rather than look after domestic economic problems (“Who Will Win?” Iraq, Sept. 30)? It is, after all, his belligerent arrogance that is now creating a climate of economic insecurity that is the very opposite of what the market needs just now. He is effectively talking down U.S. stocks, pension funds, investments, Americans’ future and security. This was the presidential candidate who we all knew was relatively inexperienced in foreign affairs, but he has now placed these issues above taking care of the store. David George St-Pierre-De-Cole, France
Your Sept. 30 cover asks the question “Who Will Win?” The answer depends on whether one refers to the battle or the war. The apparent victor of the battle will emerge with startling clarity. History alone will judge who won the war. Leo Ringer Cavite, Philippines
If the United States and Britain attack Iraq, within 45 minutes Iraq could counter with chemical and/or biological weapons. They would kill thousands of the attackers not wearing gas masks. And in turn the United States and Britain would reply in the same manner. Within hours a massacre could take place on both sides. One should not forget how easily Saddam Hussein killed 3,000 of his own Kurdish citizens with poisonous missiles. Why do the media talk mostly about atom bombs when poison gas can easily be just as deadly? Eric af Wetterstedt Leksand, Sweden
I’m 15 and I’m writing, first of all, to tell you that I think NEWSWEEK is the best magazine of all. It helps me a lot in school. But I also want to say that President Bush shouldn’t attack Iraq. Saddam Hussein shouldn’t make war either. There are more important things than war. Think about people suffering because of war, starvation, illnesses and other such things. President Bush should assist people who need help. A rich country like America has many possibilities to help the world. Please, Mr. President, be more human. We are the world, and the world needs to be saved. Lais Alves Ricci Minas Gerais, Brazil
Catch-22: an attack is not justifiable until it’s proved that Iraq has deliverable weapons of mass destruction, which, in turn, will make an attack unthinkable. John Dawson Melbourne, Australia
It is amazing that suddenly the president seems to have forgotten everything about Osama bin Laden and is now talking about attacking Iraq instead. Is this being done to cover the failure of hunting down the leaders of Al Qaeda and divert the attention of American citizens? Is the president aware of the disaster that would be unleashed on the world as a whole? It is high time that the American president looks beyond his nose and realizes that while America is the only superpower, it is certainly not the supreme power. We’re all answerable to the supreme power–even the president of the United States. S. D. Israni Mumbai, India
Americans were against war with Iraq, but now they seem to be coming around. The U.S. military is, after all, so superior to any defense Saddam can muster, the campaign will be swift and devoid of serious casualties. But hold it! Does anyone in power have the slightest understanding of human behavior? Saddam has been described as a vicious, immoral dictator who commits the vilest deeds against his own people. And those atrocities took place during the good times. George W. Bush tells the world that not only must the weapons of mass destruction be removed from the Iraqi arsenal but Saddam, too, must go. Now imagine the onetime dictator-for-life sitting in Baghdad as a coalition of troops advances from three sides. Knowing death is certain, what is he likely to do? If the president is right about weapons of mass destruction, won’t Saddam be likely to use them? What will he have to lose by not doing so? Administration hawks have not thought this through. A cornered and wounded animal does only one thing–attack. The assault on Saddam could turn out to be the most devastating war the world has ever seen. Erik H. Thoreson Skotselv, Norway
Save the Bull, Stop the Fighting
I really appreciated your article “Fight Over Bullfights,” (Europe, Sept. 16). NEWSWEEK always has such interesting articles on subjects that most people want to learn more about. I have personally seen a recent undercover video of three hours of bullfighting. It is the most indefensible type of animal abuse in the world. The details are bloody, horrifying, pointless and sad. Sherrill Durbin Mounds, Oklahoma
Thank you for your article on bullfighting in France. I’ve been longing to go to Spain, but felt I couldn’t in good conscience because of their barbaric blood sport. Now that France has jumped on the butcher block, I guess this year I’ll be sending for those British Isles brochures. Virginia Canino South Orange, New Jersey
The notion that thrusting a sword into a bull is a fight (and an honorable profession) is just another testament to the bizarre behavior that grown men are capable of. Unfortunately, the bull–who has been weakened by picadors jabbing into him (while placing their horses and themselves in the line of the bull’s charging horns)–has no chance to win this “fight.” One way or another, the bull’s daily existence is compromised, and his innocent body is turned into a fountain of spouting blood. Jackie Raven New York, New York
Animal Cruelty is not entertainment, or should not be entertainment in a civilized society. Pythagoras wrote: “As long as man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings, he will never know health or peace. As long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. He who sows the seeds of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.” Sharon McKnight Kittanning, Pennsylvania
I want to thank you for the story “Fight Over Bullfights.” But I must mention that the bovine species is mistreated even by humans who do not engage in or support bullfighting. Just visit a slaughterhouse and see the similarity to a bullfighting ring. Doreen Forbes London, Ontario
Many traditions that have been recognized as cruel and senseless have been abolished. The bullfight, although a part of history, needs to be put in the past. The horrors of the Roman arena were seen as great entertainment in ancient times. So were bear baitings and witch burnings in the Dark Ages. Looks like we haven’t progressed much. And we will not until every cultural excuse for animal cruelty is wiped away. Lynn Walker Providence, Rhode Island
Bullfighting is no different from cockfighting, satanic animal sacrifices or dogfighting. Innocent animals are being used to entertain human beings. Helen Tanguis Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Where’s the Reality?
The reality show “Kahin Naa Kahin Koi Hai” (“Love Is a Game (Show),” Television, Sept. 16) is a damp squib and already Indian media reports suggest that, due to low ratings, the show may soon be dropped. Independent discussions among a few couples on the show may have resulted in marriage, and Bollywood star Madhuri Dixit drew people initially, but Indian viewers are not concerned about marriages of noncelebrities. Everything, from the sets to the participants’ behavior, is unnatural–there’s nothing real about the show. D.K. Satapathy New Delhi, India
Class in Israel
Is Aluf Benn implying in his article “Israel’s New Militarism,” (World Affairs, June 10) that upper-class Israelis are only secular Ashkenazi Jews of European descent? The view that Sephardic Jews (Jews from Arab countries), nationalist-religious Jews and new immigrants classifies one as “lower class,” regardless of education or career, is a prejudiced, racist view that is common among “enlightened” Israelis in the 21st century. Benn also blames the hawkish actions of the military on these groups of people. But in 1967 an “upper class” Israeli, Yitzhak Rabin, was chief of staff when Israel took over the Golan Heights, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Avi Goldschmidt Jerusalem, Israel
