"Truth and Facts Must Prevail"

The Honorable Edward Walker, Jr., president of the Middle East Institute, spoke at a special breakfast briefing on October 25 at the Cairo Marriott on the process of rebuilding that will be needed following the attacks on the United States and the subsequent strikes against Afghanistan.

The former ambassador to Egypt and Israel, now head of a policy think-tank in Washington, began his speech with a reminder than the casualties in the World Trade Center attack included citizens of more than 80 countries, and that Arabs and Muslims were among them. "Osama bin Laden, Al Qaida and those that harbor them struck out at the whole world on September 11," Walker said.

Since any civilized society condemns cold-blooded murder, the whole world must unite in the war against terror. But in that that war, guns and bullets would be "hopefully the smallest part, and the shortest lived," he stressed. "Our objective must be to bring the active combat phase to a prompt end and to begin the process of rebuilding."

Efforts to put together a new political coalition in Afghanistan and deliveries of humanitarian aid – of which the United States is the largest donor – represent the beginnings of the rebuilding process. "Rebuilding Afghanistan is as much a part of the war on terrorism as is the military action or intelligence-sharing that must take place," Walker noted.

He pointed out that "the human cost" of the September 11 attacks was felt not only in the United States, but throughout the Middle East, where businesses and economies are suffering badly. "I have heard form a number of government officials and businesspeople about the depressed state of the tourism sector during the all-important winter season, the downturn in port calls by major shipping companies, the increase in insurance rates and the drying up of foreign investment," he said.

Helping countries like Egypt get their economies "back to normal" would be another crucial element in the rebuilding process, he added.

Walker then turned to the various lines of thinking in foreign-policy circles in Washington, primarily the debate over unilateralism versus multilateralism. "There are those who would seek to force other countries to do our bidding through threats of military action or economic sanction," he said. "The problem with this theory of international relations is that it won’t work."

But open debate is a necessary, and admirable, feature of politics on Capitol Hill, and the views expressed do not always represent the policy being followed. Consequently, Walker advised, "it is important for the Egyptian people, and particularly the press, to exhibit some sophistication and knowledge of our political system." For example, senators John McCain and Joseph Lieberman, who have recently criticized Egypt as an insufficiently active coalition partner, "are not the president."

While "our democracy has many voices," the range of views in the U.S. press can be compared to that in the Egyptian press, according to Walker. "The Egyptian press raises quite a racket at times," he said. "And trust me, Washington hears you."

The American people have learned from the September 11 attacks that they are not immune to the effects of external events, Walker continued. "Now for the first time, the American people are engaged," he said. "They are badly informed, but they are ready to listen and learn."

Walker urged his listeners not to be overly suspicious of statements from U.S. sources regarding Middle East policy. "I am not suggesting that anyone should take governmental pronouncements at face value," he said. "But if this is a good rule for our country, why not for bin Laden or Saddam Hussein."

Walker cited the Palestinian problem as an example of how, in both the United States and in Arab countries, "stereotypes can drive policy."

However, as the countries of the world reflect on the events of September 11 and work together to fight terrorism, there is an opportunity to build a world in which religious and ethnic differences distinguish people without dividing them, and to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. "A new day really has dawned, and it is one that has the potential to shake the resolve of the Osama bin Ladens of the world," Walker said. "But first we have to learn the truth about one another and learn how to talk to one another."

Walker noted how his barber, a resident of a small town near his home in the United States, had been impressed by a recent TV appearance by Jordan’s Queen Rania. "In one hour, he said, the queen "entered millions of American homes and challenged many Americans to reexamine their attitudes towards Islam."

The media in Egypt, as well as in the United States, must continue to promote mutual understanding. "Truth and facts cannot only win this battle against cold-blooded murderers," he said, "but can also bring us closer together in the long run."

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