Peaceful Message to the U.S. President
Published in Al-Jazirah
(Saudi Arabia) on 16 November 2008
by Muhammed Bin Eissa Al-Kan'an (link to
original)
Peaceful Message to U.S. President
Your Excellency, the 44th president of the U.S., the 16th Democratic president, and the first African American President
Due to the fact that I live in the same world that you live in and am a citizen of a country (that is) friends with your country
Due to the fact that the interests regarding several crucial issues in my country are quite different from my nation and yours, I decided to write my message to you through this great newspaper, while you are still a few steps away from the White House
Mr. President, I will not discuss the political complexities relevant to our vital region. This is a game of regimes, countries and international organizations. As for our peoples, especially those of the Middle East and more specifically, the Arabs and Muslims, they do nothing but watch, because they do not have the tools of the game that your people do, Why, you ask
I give you this answer, Your Excellency. Because these peoples are fed up with flawed official statements and unrealistic presidential promises, for generation after generation there has been no change, things remain exactly the same. For over sixty years, justice within the Palestinian crisis has been dissipated by international organizations and political negotiations, and has ended with a large prison called the Palestinian Authority.
Your Excellency President, before the election, you declared your absolute support to Israel and your wish to ensure its security. After the election, you stated that youll support all who seek peace. Between these two contradictions, is there a way to clarify the unknown reality of peace? In fact, it turns out to be a loose political term that considers a child carrying a stone to defend his own land against the Israeli aggressors, a terrorist. Meanwhile, to the Americans the Israeli aggressor is seen as a peace maker.
Mr. President, I am pleased with your statement that Americas power lies in principles, not in arms. However, do you not think that what these principles changed into became even more fatal than arms, especially when we consider the Arab and Muslim nations? Freedom was imprisoned in Guantanamo, Democracy turned into an aircraft that kills people in Afghanistan, Humanity became naked in Abu Ghraib prison, and Sovereignty was violated in Iraq through a flagrant occupation, despite American reasoning warning others against violating the sovereignty of other states.
Yes Mr. President, America has proven to be the country of opportunities, democracy and diversity. By electing you as president, America managed to take another step outside the boundaries of racial discrimination. But, how about the rest of the world? The world has become annoyed with the economic concerns governed by the military dictatorship, and it has become displeased with its one-sided legal decisions. All this suffering is due to American international policy.
Mr. President, it is wonderful that you have diverse roots. Even more wonderful is the fact that you have passed through different cultures throughout your life in America, Indonesia and Kenya. Its even more wonderful still that the U.S. believes, under your administration, that globalization does not mean Americanization; rather, its a cultural tie coming from mans creativity regardless of his color, race, religion or home country.
Mr. President, you are far more aware than I of the challenges you have on your presidential road. There is a terrorism file drowned in lies of policy and American cruelty. Furthermore, international legitimacy must be reconsidered after America has tampered with it for years. Also, there is a lack of international equity among nations to be able to decide their fate. Another challenge is fixing Americas poor reputation gained through its arrogant policies.
Mr. President, You have believed in change since you were young until it became your election slogan. This proves that youre a President with distinguished comprehensive foresight, yet change should be also comprehensive and fair. In other words, this will be proven through real implementation, not through theoretical enthusiasm.
Your Excellency, the 44th president of the U.S., the 16th Democratic president, and the first African American President
Due to the fact that I live in the same world that you live in and am a citizen of a country (that is) friends with your country
Due to the fact that the interests regarding several crucial issues in my country are quite different from my nation and yours, I decided to write my message to you through this great newspaper, while you are still a few steps away from the White House
Mr. President, I will not discuss the political complexities relevant to our vital region. This is a game of regimes, countries and international organizations. As for our peoples, especially those of the Middle East and more specifically, the Arabs and Muslims, they do nothing but watch, because they do not have the tools of the game that your people do, Why, you ask
I give you this answer, Your Excellency. Because these peoples are fed up with flawed official statements and unrealistic presidential promises, for generation after generation there has been no change, things remain exactly the same. For over sixty years, justice within the Palestinian crisis has been dissipated by international organizations and political negotiations, and has ended with a large prison called the Palestinian Authority.
Your Excellency President, before the election, you declared your absolute support to Israel and your wish to ensure its security. After the election, you stated that youll support all who seek peace. Between these two contradictions, is there a way to clarify the unknown reality of peace? In fact, it turns out to be a loose political term that considers a child carrying a stone to defend his own land against the Israeli aggressors, a terrorist. Meanwhile, to the Americans the Israeli aggressor is seen as a peace maker.
Mr. President, I am pleased with your statement that Americas power lies in principles, not in arms. However, do you not think that what these principles changed into became even more fatal than arms, especially when we consider the Arab and Muslim nations? Freedom was imprisoned in Guantanamo, Democracy turned into an aircraft that kills people in Afghanistan, Humanity became naked in Abu Ghraib prison, and Sovereignty was violated in Iraq through a flagrant occupation, despite American reasoning warning others against violating the sovereignty of other states.
Yes Mr. President, America has proven to be the country of opportunities, democracy and diversity. By electing you as president, America managed to take another step outside the boundaries of racial discrimination. But, how about the rest of the world? The world has become annoyed with the economic concerns governed by the military dictatorship, and it has become displeased with its one-sided legal decisions. All this suffering is due to American international policy.
Mr. President, it is wonderful that you have diverse roots. Even more wonderful is the fact that you have passed through different cultures throughout your life in America, Indonesia and Kenya. Its even more wonderful still that the U.S. believes, under your administration, that globalization does not mean Americanization; rather, its a cultural tie coming from mans creativity regardless of his color, race, religion or home country.
Mr. President, you are far more aware than I of the challenges you have on your presidential road. There is a terrorism file drowned in lies of policy and American cruelty. Furthermore, international legitimacy must be reconsidered after America has tampered with it for years. Also, there is a lack of international equity among nations to be able to decide their fate. Another challenge is fixing Americas poor reputation gained through its arrogant policies.
Mr. President, You have believed in change since you were young until it became your election slogan. This proves that youre a President with distinguished comprehensive foresight, yet change should be also comprehensive and fair. In other words, this will be proven through real implementation, not through theoretical enthusiasm.
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