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Arab world turmoil { March 22 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2876059.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2876059.stm Last Updated: Saturday, 22 March, 2003, 17:08 GMT Analysis: Arab world faces turmoil By Martin Asser BBC News Online, Amman Three days into the US-led military campaign against Iraq, Arab governments must be praying for the fall of Saddam Hussein's leadership as quickly as possible. The "Arab street", derided in recent years as politically inert and powerless, appears to be showing signs of life. Cairo, Sanaa in Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon and the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott have all witnessed clashes of varying decrees of seriousness between riot police and citizens enraged by what the US is doing in Iraq. In many cases, the fury against the Americans is mixed with discontent about their own governments and anger about the Israeli-Palestinian situation. The close ties that many Arab countries have with Washington are a particular embarrassment, as the US wages what most Arabs perceive as an unprovoked war of aggression against Iraq. In Jordan for example, the cry is for US troops to leave the kingdom. Many Egyptians, meanwhile, are concerned about the economy, the slow pace of democratisation and the heavy-handed emergency legislation which restricts freedoms in a wide range of social and political spheres. New forums for debate Some observers think the possibility of the Arab street being a major factor in the current situation stems from the increasing ease of popular access to information. Egyptian human rights activist Hafez Abu Sa'ada said: "Before we only had national television stations, where 15 minutes of news were about meetings held by the president. "Now you have al-Jazeera and al-Arabia satellite news, as well as the internet where you can find political speeches you couldn't see before and chat rooms where people exchange ideas and tell jokes about their political leaders." she said. "But still the police use harsh treatment of people which creates fear in their hearts, so they are reluctant to go out onto the streets because they know they will get arrested." The al-Jazeera effect may well be being felt right now - as audiences watch developments live in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities, as well as reports of their own protests, something unthinkable in the pre-satellite days of Arab broadcasting. We have already seen shocking pictures of civilians gunned down by the security services in Yemen on Friday, something which could galvanise people to further protest. Problems ahead But so far there has been no footage of significant civilian casualties as a result of American bombing, which - if it comes - could considerably escalate tensions and manifestations of popular discontent. So Arab governments have a predicament on their hands - one which can only apparently can be solved by a quick, relatively bloodless war, plus firm steps to keep order on the streets. After that, another predicament looms - Washington's much-vaunted imposition of democracy in post-Saddam Iraq, which American officials apparently expect will spread freedom through the rest of the region. It may not happen, but if it does the Americans may not be that happy with the results if people in the Arab world are really allowed to freely choose their own leaders and destinies. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/2876059.stm Published: 2003/03/22 17:08:25 © BBC MMIII

0315 05 [jpg] 140 arrested die in ny { March 27 2003 } 1600 arrested sanfransisco { March 22 2003 } 4000 volunteers suicide attacks { March 31 2003 } Anti war span globe { March 22 2003 } Arab world turmoil { March 22 2003 } Arrests ellsberg nobel 2 laureates { March 26 2003 } Byrd arrogance of power { March 19 2003 } Byrd weep for country { March 19 2003 } Celebrity anti war backlash { March 23 2003 } Chirac not accept dominant { March 21 2003 } Coalition of willing { March 18 2003 } Congress votes to support troops Daschle bush miserable diplomacy { March 18 2003 } Dc protests clash police { March 22 2003 } Driver tried run over protesters F ck france germany [jpg] Farmer protest tractor German boycott american { March 25 2003 } Germany anti us sentiments grow { March 28 2003 } Hall of fame president apologizes robbins { April 18 2003 } Hispanics not support war { February 19 2003 } Huge indonesian protest { March 30 2003 } Kerry says us needs regime change Kurds dont trust us motives { March 25 2003 } Madonna pulls video { March 31 2003 } Michael moore film bush binladen ties { March 28 2003 } Michael moore oscars Michael moore scolds bush { March 23 2003 } Mubarak war create 100 binladens { March 31 2003 } Oscar party blasts war { March 22 2003 } Outspoken army general upsets whitehouse Peace activists plan disrupt manhattan { March 25 2003 } Pearl jam smashes bush { April 3 2003 } Pope calls religious catastrophe { March 30 2003 } Protesters lay on fifth ave Protesters take to streets { March 21 2003 } Protests sweep africa { March 22 2003 } Putin war must end immediately { March 29 2003 } Ritter says us will lose Second year iraq war protests around the world { March 20 2005 } Student suspended for anti war flyers Terrorist regime Third french support iraq { April 2 2003 } Top rumself advisor resigns Trashed mcdonalds france Uday tells bush to leave { March 18 2003 } Unconstitutional immoral { April 6 2003 } Vatican warmongers before god { March 18 2003 } Villepin refuse to support us side Worldwide protest { March 15 2003 } Files Listed: 51

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