for ABZ

[bob saunders]

I pull this article of the Globe and Mail

Thought you might find it interesting. Let's see if you can read with an objective mind.

The misery of the Arab world
By JEFFREY SIMPSON

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 – Page A13


'The Arab world is at a crossroads." A cliché? Perhaps, but nonetheless true.

What is, after all, the Arab world? It consists of whole countries and parts of others, accounting for about 5 per cent of the world's population (about 280 million people). The gaps among them -- as between Kuwait and Djibouti, for example -- are huge.

But taking the Arab world as a whole, as a United Nations study just did, the news on the human development front is discouraging. The Arab world, with only a few exceptions, has fallen behind many other parts of the globe on almost every social and economic indicator.

Western "orientalism" or paternalism, you say? Read, then, the latest report from the UN Human Development Index, authored not by Westerners but by Arab experts who insist their "world" is at a crossroads. The results are unsettling, for Arabs and non-Arabs alike.

The Arab HDI survey is based on the methodology that has placed Canada at or near the top of the charts in recent years. It looks at what we might call the "life chances" of citizens -- not just their economic well-being, but educational opportunities, health outcomes and political systems.

In all categories, the Arab world is failing. Of course, there are some exceptions. Kuwait, for example, stands near the top of the HDI charts. The other Arab countries, however, are struggling.

Start with government. Arab countries consistently show a "freedom deficit." The HDI authors write: "The wave of democracy that transformed governance in most of Latin America and East Asia in the 1980s and Eastern Europe and much of Central Asia in the late 1980s and early 1990s has barely reached the Arab states."

The rule of law is shaky. Representative democracy "is not always genuine and sometimes absent." Too many regimes spend too much on armaments. "Freedoms of expression and association are frequently curtailed."

Too many Arab countries mock or misunderstand the fundamental link between human development and human rights, including democratic ones. Young people who cannot find work or legitimate outlets for dissent display frustrations, resentments and, in many cases, a desire to leave.

The HDI authors commissioned a poll of young Arabs that found 51 per cent of "older youths" and 45 per cent of younger ones wanting to emigrate, with Canada among the most desirable destinations. "The implicit judgment of how livable these young people consider Arab societies to be is evident."

One out of every five people in the Arab world lives on less than $2 a day, although Arab countries have among the lowest levels of dire poverty in the world.

Population growth is adding about six million labour-force entrants a year, but unemployment is already very high -- about 15 per cent across the region. Education enrolment rates have risen impressively, but 65 million adult Arabs remain illiterate, a much higher rate than in poorer countries. Only 0.6 per cent of the population uses the Internet, a tiny fraction of the rate in developed countries.

The role of Arab women is especially discouraging. More than half of Arab women are illiterate. The region's maternal mortality rate is double that of Latin America and the Caribbean, and four times higher than in East Asia.

"Women also suffer from unequal citizenship and legal entitlements, often evident in voting rights and legal codes," write the HDI authors. Almost every development expert underlines the role of women in improving the standard of living and quality of life of societies. By that standard, the Arab world is failing miserably.

Naturally, the Arab authors tiptoe around the role of Islam in explaining the Arab world's dislocations. They do point, as if almost obliged to do so, to the Palestinian question that has preoccupied many Arab governments for decades and allowed them to divert attention from problems within their own countries.

Palestinians live in an intolerable situation. But their plight, as this report implicitly suggests, can hardly account for most of the problems in the far-flung Arab world.

Non-oil exports from Arab countries grew by only 1.5 per cent in the 1990s, compared to a global growth rate of 6 per cent. Some of this sluggish growth can be blamed on rich countries that protect their textile and other industries where Arab countries have an obvious competitive advantage. But most of the explanation lies elsewhere.

The Arab world is shot through with tariff and non-tariff barriers, inefficient state monopolies, and corruption that siphons money to families with government connections.

So where to start in heading the Arab world down the right path from the crossroads

[El Jefe]

May I ask, what does this have to do with the Dominican Republic? Or, are we just trying to get another feud thread started. Last i checked the DR was not an Arab country and AZB is a Muslim from Pakistan living in the DR, not an Arab. So, other than personal attempts to inflame, what has thi to do with the DR1 board?

[bob saunders]

that's why it was put on the general open forum. ABZ often posts far more inflamatory posts, as well, are any of the relationships postings really about the DR, OR THE JOKES?

[Escott]

El Jefe... Although you are not the Moderator or the owner of this website I would like to comment on your attempt to moderate.

When AZB was slamming Jews several times a week why didn't you comment to him? Was that because there are approx. 200 Jews living in Sosua and that is related to the DR?

Why did you comment here only? Selective in your criticism? Is that because you are a Jew Hater like AZB? One last question. Do you beat your wife often?

Let me know when you get my point.

[El Jefe]

my wife died 18 years ago

editted to delete expletive

[Escott]

Sorry to hear that. Now answer the question.

[Criss Colon]

Or what ever you want.I think we are all on the same side of the "fence" on this one!I think that to equate "El Jefe's" rebuke of Sanders blatant "AZB" baiting post in no way indicates that he is an Anti-Semite"! Most poor people anywhere,of any religion, want to be left alone,have the opportunity to feed and clothe their families,and have little political agenda.I hope we all hate violence in any form.In the words of that great "Humanitarian" from Los Angeles California,Rodney King."Why can't we all just get along?"CRISCO

[Escott]

Nobody said a word when he was slamming Jews for no reason and that ****ES me off. Why would all you guys let him get away with his gratuitous slams all that time is beyond me.

This guy complains now? Bull****!

[x_man]

What is your problem with the jews?? Are you one?? Don't you think they
can take care of themself's.
I think they should be treated like any other people. Why always kissing their
you know what. X.

[Escott]

Why are you always sucking up to AZB? You a Muslim? Cant they take care of themselves?