The Washington Post Puts Its Finger On 'The Arab Paradox'

by Benjamin A. Gilman

 THE WASHINGTON POST PUTS ITS FINGER ON 'THE ARAB PARADOX'

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  HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

   OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, October 11, 2001

Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, a very astute editorial was printed in today's Washington Post underscoring a provocative point: That the regimes of Arab states, which have little if any democratic legitimacy, use hatred for the United States and Israel to deflect criticism of their internal policies.

In our hearing yesterday in our Committee on International Relations on public diplomacy in the fight against terror, the very same point was made. And, to be sure, it has even been made by some moderate Arab leaders.

The fact is that these policies of blaming others are self-defeating. They do not lead to any long-term reform. They do not even allow any real release of tension. In this modern age, they lead to intolerance of others, support for terrorism, or terrorism itself.

We need to fully consider these points, as do the rulers of the "moderate" Arab states.

For the information of my colleagues, I request that the Washington Post editorial be printed at this point in the Record:

[From the Washington Post: Oct. 11, 2001]

The Arab Paradox

[article text]

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