Frenchman asks: Why do we support your enemies? [Archives:2002/15/Focus]

Alain MARIE,
Kuala Lumpur-Malaysia
I became furiously interested in Yemen after reading The Southern Gates of Arabia by Freya Stark (1934), which has a long and interesting description of the people and cultures of Hadhramaut.
I regret that so-called Westerners like myself (I am a French citizen who has lived in Malaysia for more than 8 years and tries to understand the teachings of Islam, the official religion of Malaysia) are too often confused with any westerners, particularly Americans who obviously strongly support enemies of the Arab World.
I would like to inform the People of Yemen that we, Westerners, are not all like so many Americans, hating everything Arab and blindly supporting the Israelis. On the contrary, I personally support most actions in favor of the Arab countries.
I am impressed by the reactions of the Government of Yemen. Although Yemen is not a very rich (financially) country, it does not fall in the American trap of trying to buy over a country allegiance in exchange for reduced debts.
It is regrettable that many Arab countries have not been as wise as Yemen. Again recently, President Ali Abdullah Saleh confirmed Yemens position against Israels invasion of Palestine and the silence from the Arab World.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, Americans have repeatedly shown that they want to keep the Arab World under their control. Divide to rule has been the very same strategy used over and over.
It is to be hoped that the entire world of Arab countries will wake up someday, agree to work together and tell the Americans not to interfere anymore in their own politics. Over the last hundred years, the Americans have shown that:
. they are biased in favor of Israel,
. they love to get involved with what is not their business and impose their will,
. do not hesitate to bribe countries to buy allegiance,
. have very limited understanding of the Arab World,
. start a war overseas when their economic situation goes down to boost up their economic growth,
. do not count the same way as other people do: There have been more civilians killed by American bombings in Afghanistan than in the Sept. 11 events. There have been more Palestinian civilians casualties by the Israeli army than Israeli casualties by Palestinian suicide bombings. Why cant the US government see it this way?
Well, that was my piece to the People of Yemen. It is not meant to support or encourage any killing of anyone by anyone.
The efforts of the government of Yemen are very much appreciated and congratulated not only by the Arab community but also by Westerners. If this opinion piece can serve in supporting the continued action of the Government of Yemen and change the idea that all Westerners are bad, Ill be happy enough.

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