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February 14, 2006
For the Love of Democracy
If there were ever any doubt that our government's commitment to democracy in the Middle East was a bunch of hogwash, this ought to put such doubts to rest:
The United States and Israel are discussing ways to destabilize the Palestinian government so that newly elected Hamas officials will fail and elections will be called again, according to Israeli officials and Western diplomats.
The intention is to starve the Palestinian Authority of money and international connections to the point where, some months from now, its president, Mahmoud Abbas, is compelled to call a new election. The hope is that Palestinians will be so unhappy with life under Hamas that they will return to office a reformed and chastened Fatah movement.
On the other hand, the PA has problems of its own, namely, that "at least one-third of the Palestinian population," or 140,000 people, work for the PA itself. This is not the way to a peaceful and prosperous future.
One more thing--it's easy to see why Mr. Bush likes Abbas so much:
In preparation for a Hamas-led government, Mr. Abbas is also said to be insisting on reinforcing his position as commander in chief of all Palestinian forces, even though the prime minister and the interior minister also have control over them through a security council that the prime minister chairs.
On Monday the departing parliament made an effort to boost Mr. Abbas's powers by passing legislation giving him the authority to appoint a new constitutional court that can veto legislation deemed in violation of the Palestinians' basic law.
Mr. Abbas would appoint the nine judges to the new court without seeking parliamentary approval. . . .
Democracy is only a good thing, as far as the United States government is concerned, when the "right" people win.
Posted by Mike Tennant at February 14, 2006 04:09 PM
Comments
"Democracy is only a good thing, as far as the United States government is concerned, when the 'right' people win."
Yep. That is the esssence of democracy. A "kinder & gentler" form of mob rule.
Posted by: Ali_Massoud ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.strike-the-root.com/blog/nav-commenters.gif){kind=small}
at February 15, 2006 12:32 AM
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