From: aaldoubo@copper.denver.colorado.edu (Anisa Alnoor Aldoubosh)
Newsgroups: talk.politics.mideast
Subject: Re: CLINTON SPEECH TEXT: RABIN MEETING
Date: 28 Aug 92 18:32:21 GMT
Organization: University of Colorado at Denver

In article <BtnAz1.GCo.2@cs.cmu.edu> anwar+@cs.cmu.edu (Anwar Mohammed) writes:
>
>The point is that this is all a LOT MORE than you could say 
>for any other Arab country.  I've yet to see someone challenge 
>this statement.

On what basis can you compare?  Just by comparing a socialist
government to a sheikhdom?  Both are totalitarian.  See my
suffrage posting if you want a challenge and I would like to
see you dispute it.  BTW, what about an Islamic government?
If we had one, THEN there would be a fair analysis.

>Before responding, it is important to point out that I 
>posted that this was a good "first step". 

In what?  Human relations?  Arab/Muslim unity?

>In article <1992Aug27.024445.4030@mcs.kent.edu> rayes@Snake.mcs.kent.edu (Sandra Rayes) writes:
>
>While the Monarch in Kuwait holds considerable power under the Kuwaiti
>Constitution, so does the National Assembly.

In fact, the National Assembly is solely allowed any power - not
individuals outside of it.  Even the majlis and emams in masjids
have to obey final authority.

>So what?  Is full citizenship granted in Germany, Japan, Switzerland?
>The answer is NO.

Is that to justify Kuwait actions?

>Martial law was lifted all over Kuwait.  

But then the *real* doomsday occurred - expulsion of hundreds of
thousands (hey, they did that to the Iranians too during the Iran-
Iraq War) and executing Palestinian journalists on false charges.

What other horrors shall we bring up in this regard?

>I find it absolutely disgusting that you'd perpetuate a falsehood that
>has been used to discriminate against Arabs for centuries.  No one I know
>in Kuwait (or anywhere) maintains a "harem".  This is utterly ridiculous
>and I'm shocked that someone who allegedly is familiar with the region 
>like yourself would post such racist drivel.

I think Sandra was not far from exaggerating - we know how many wives
the Emir has and probably other high officials - she was just bringing
up the sexist position of Kuwaitis towards women.  Perhaps her anger
lead her to use the word 'haram' while not really intentionally meaning
such.

And you should know that Sandra is a Muslima, so you should be careful
what you say in insinuating that she is lying to protect yourself.

>I would point out to our women readers that many of us Kuwaitis support
>the right of women to vote.  Furthermore, I would point out that Kuwait
>is one of the most liberal countries in the Arab world with respect to 
>women's rights,

Really?  Can you prove that?  What about suffrage?  That factor is
usually what distinguishes equality than anything else.  What else
can you say on women's rights in Kuwait verses other Arab countries
despite this?

You want a challenge.  You've got it.

>Again, this is a first step, and a damn sight more than you'll find in 
>_most_ other Arab countries.

Until you prove otherwise, you stand corrected and criticized for your
government's actions.

Anisa

Newsgroups: talk.politics.mideast