l Dear Sir,
IT was nice to see one of our American cousins write yesterday in response to my letter in the Daily Bulletin (Thursday, March 2nd). The detailed, lengthy outline on American politics, and its Jewish influence (or not) on the powers that be, was interesting, but there are some major areas thta jut show an overwhelming bias by the U.S. for all things to do with Israel. This has been clearly shown through all U.S. Administrations during the 30 years or so of conflict between Palestine and Israel: how between 20 and 30 sanctions raised against Israel have been vetoed by the U.S. at meetings of the United Nations; and how their financial aid runs to billions, with special trade agreements, free flow of U.S. arms, planes, etcetera, to make it (effectively) the strongest military force in the Middle East. Just the most recent issue on nuclear development in Iran highlights how Israel, who everyone acknowledges has a nuclear arsenal, depsite not confirming it officially, shows a complete bias. What would happen if a proposal was made via the United Nations to have the whole Middle East declared a non-nuclear weapon area and all countries in the region to allow free and open inspections? If one is genuinely interested in restricting nuclear weapon development, it should be approved by all. What's the betting the United States would veto it? Israel, being of course part of the Middle East would need the protection of their constant ally and benefactor. On who votes in Presidential elections, after an initial four years of Bush, still 50 percent of voters voted him back in again, so maybe it is die-hard Republicans, and the Jewish vote counts for little, still it is amazing how he was returned a second time; we all know how he won the first time!
His present tour of Afghanistan, India and Pakistan and his statements, are another conundrum for Europeans. Bush offers special help, etcetera to India's nuclear programme, a non-signatory of the atomic agreement; Pakistan - where the ruler is a military dictator and where nuclear weapons have also been developed - is highly praised and accepted; and in Afghanistan, the U.S. President, who is travelling with 5'500 personnel (the vast majority related to security) praises that country's democracy. Someone should have told Bush and his Administration that instant democracy is a non-starter. After all, it took America 100 years (from Independence to Civil War) to get rid of slavery, and 150 years to give women the vote!
Someone also once said: It is not the Atlantic Ocean that separates the U.S.A. from England, but how they speak the English language. Today, under the present Administration, it is not only what is said by the Bush government but their actions, that each week seem to surpass each other with a new calamity.
Only two years more of this Administration to run; let us hope that whoever takes the reigns in 2008, Republican or Democrat, gets the mess sorted out - a huge task ahead. Also, let Americans in elections after 2008, remember the pandora's box they opened in 2000 and 2004.
Graham Phillips, Palma de Majorca
America´s “Pandora´s Box”