Arab diversity overlooked

The plight and the daily humiliation of the Palestinian people does not lend itself to clichés and historical anachronisms. Missing from Ken Frankel's letter in your last issue were the terms indigenous, occupation and inner-Arab hostilities [Letters, Dec. 23].

The Palestinians are an indigenous people, having populated their land aeons ago. While many do not possess a real-estate deed to their dwellings, neither do most indigenous people, as exemplified by the North American natives. Or in the case of Zimbabwe, who is more "indigenous": the white Rhodesian farmers or the Zimbabwe natives?

Unlike the situation in Zimbabwe, though, the Palestinians didn't launch a battle against the founders of Israel. Other Arab nations, however, viewed Israel's takeover as an invasion by Europeans who were desperate to cleanse themselves of past atrocities against the Jews. Frankel's contention that "Arab armies attacked Israel…" is a racist expression, as Palestinians were not a component in the attack against Israel, which was fought mainly by Egyptian and Jordanian forces. Arabs too are broken into different identities, as with Europeans.

The Palestinians are under a severe and brutal occupation. Their remaining land is being carved into Bantustan-types of enclaves, much like the Blacks of South Africa. Occupation has never "worked" anywhere in history - see Tibet, South Africa, India, the 13 colonies, etc.

Regarding inner-Arab hostilities, the rights and goals of the Palestinians are detested not only by Israel and the U.S., but also by other Arab powers - the "moderate" Arab states ruled by Kingdoms, Royal Families and Monarchs. These rulers make a few verbal protests against Israeli policy while tossing crumbs to the Palestinians. The combined aid, military and economic, given to Egypt and Saudi Arabia by the U.S., exceeds that given to Israel.

Palestinians continue to be rebuffed, ousted from refugee camps and refused employment. Saudi Arabia chose not to hire Palestinian refugees to alleviate its labour shortage during the '70s and '80s and instead has employed thousands of Asians to fill jobs. But the real support for the Palestinians occurs among the various militants (aka, "terrorists") among the Arab populations who have become alarmed over the constant humiliation foisted upon them in the form of racism.

"God gave me this land" is a biblical anachronism, if not religious fanaticism, and only when the U.S. and Israel become cognisant of Arab diversity and shed themselves of the "moderate" Arab powers vs. the extremist or "terrorist" will there be some semblance of sober thought.

» Edward Abramic

Request in for Dixie Chicks

Rosen's list of things/people to be banned from 2004 was practically bang on [Dec. 23]. Just one major disagreement: if he doesn't want the Dixie Chicks, I'll take 'em!

» Ken Frankel

Infectious disease coverage lacking

Though interesting, the year events reviews [Dec. 23] don't always capture world trends. One of them is a seeming increase of world leaders' commitment to a world less plagued with poverty, infectious disease and illiteracy. For more than a decade, in various Summits, they've set precise targets to be met within 10 or 15 years. Interested citizens and annual media reports on their progress would help reaching these goals.

The power of media is obvious. For example, if they call attention to a natural emergency, help pours in. But the emergency of death by infectious disease is of a much greater magnitude, yet is seldom mentioned. Therefore citizens ignore the trends, even if they are encouraging in regards to childhood diseases. In 1984, they caused 40,000 deaths daily, in 2003, 29,000. One of the Millennium Development Goals is to bring that down to about 10,000 per day by 2015. It is uncertain whether or not that goal will be reached.

Is Canada generous enough? In the fight against childhood diseases and tuberculosis, yes. Against AIDS, less. Against malaria, certainly not. One must know to redress the course.

In letting Bono speak his heart at the recent liberal conference, Prime Minister Paul Martin let us expect Canada would play a very positive role on the international scene. Let's hope he will champion the Millennium Development Goals and that we will be informed so we can cheer him along.

» Pamela Walden-Landry

Year in brief too narrow

Scott Saxon's Year in Review article was mislabelled ["The year in brief," Dec. 23]. It should have been titled "The Year that the U.S., Israel and the Jews wrecked the world."

I usually tune into CBC for this type of selective journalism, but for 2004 I think that I'll rely on the Mirror for all of my weekly news. Thanks Scott.

» J.J. Heisler

Resto Bizarro fan mail

Me too I like very much Café Joe [Resto Bizarro, Sept. 25]. J'y suis presque toutes les fin de semaines. L'ambiance y est tellement agréable. Je suis bien content que vous aillez écrits un article sur ce resto.

» Simon Goldin, St-Henri

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