Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Letters- America vs.The Narrative

RE: Barack Obama's foreign policy The quiet American
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14961345

Dear Sir,

Subsequent spin either undermines or empowers every leader's diplomatic efforts. Do we want to be dismissively rude about Obama or do we want to help shape better foreign and domestic polices whereby every organization and every country on earth respects the dictates of international law and basic human rights BECAUSE (as The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights so wisely reminds us) "recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world"

We the people need to rise to the challenge of the information age by taking personal responsibility for gently but firmly shaping a world wide dialog that empowers decency and dignity for everyone's sake.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab


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RE: America vs.The Narrative by Thomas L. Friedman
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/opinion/29friedman.html?em

Dear Editor,

Indeed "The Narrative" that volatile "cocktail of half-truths, propaganda and outright lies about America that have taken hold in the Arab-Muslim world since 9/11" does need to be challenged, but Friedman does not help when he ignores Israel's part in the propaganda wars, the misinformation campaigns, and the religious extremism that perpetuates conflict in the Middle East. Look at Israel honestly please, and all the many ways that Israel is scorning The Arab Peace Initiative... and the Palestinians' basic human rights.

"The Israeli-Palestinian peace process to date has been driven by a selective, approach, patently at odds with the lessons of successful negotiations elsewhere. The process and its mediators have also suffered from a permanent crisis of credibility in the eyes of the Palestinian and Arab polity, one that stems from a variety of complex causes, including the international community’s failure to take principled stances on the upholding of Palestinian rights
." Rights, Justice and United Nations Values: Reflections through a Palestine Refugee Prism Dag Hammarskjöld Lecture Delivered by UNRWA Commissioner-General Karen Koning AbuZayd Dag Hammarskjold Foundation, Uppsala, Sweden, 27 November 2009 http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/JBRN-7YBDR4?OpenDocument&rc=3&emid=ACOS-635PFR

Israel must end its illegal occupation of Palestinian territory ASAP, and all the world must honor the Palestinian refugees' legal and natural right to return to original homes and lands. No more excuses, no more distractions, and no more obfuscation please: Peace and progress depend on respecting basic human rights on all sides of every border.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab


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RE Israel & Palestine: Can They Start Over?
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/23456

Dear Editor,

The article "Israel & Palestine: Can They Start Over?" by Hussein Agha & Robert Malley contains a major flaw that very much sabotages peace prospects. They foolishly attempt to wish away the Palestinian refugees right of return as if it can and should be turned into more forced transfer. Fact is the Palestinian refugees really do have a very real right to return to original homes and lands. It is an inalienable legal, natural and sacred right that has been affirmed and reaffirmed by international law all along. A just and lasting end to the Israel/Palestine conflict requires full respect for basic human rights such as the right to leave and the right to return.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
American homemaker & Poet
BLOG: Growing Gardens for Palestine


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