March 8, 2005

Kifaya Magic Word Spreading Arab Democracy

A new word has made its way into the lexicon of democracy. To liberty, freedom and justice add “kifaya” which means “enough” in Arabic.

The new rallying cry sprang forth in Iraq when millions of citizens – faced with daily terrorism – went to the polls for the first time to vote for a president and a government.

Their defiant, rallying cry against daily massacre by religious fanatics was “Enough!”

Nine brave Iraqi lost their lives in their march to the polls. A proud history of such sacrifice is an American patriot echo: “I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country!”

The Iraq election was an intellectual explosion that destroyed centuries of middle east despotism. A shot – so to speak – “heard around the world” by oppressed peoples.

We saw it in the streets of Ukraine. Fed up citizens launched an Orange Revolution to oust a Russian puppet and elect pro-democracy Victor Yushchenko.

He survived an attempted assassination by poison. The people defied government goon squads to shout “Enough!” (of terror) and wave orange kerchiefs representing the freedom party.

We saw it again last week in the streets of Beirut, Lebanon, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri who opposed 30 years of Syrian occupation.

Fed up citizens waved their national flag and chanted “Enough!” while astonished Syrian troops skulked in the shadows.

Surprisingly the pro-Syria government resigned. Syrian president-for- life Bashar Assad assured everyone he would call home his 14,000 occupying troops “in a few months.”

Now it is the United States, United Nations, France and old Europe who are chanting “Enough!”

More significant, perhaps, is the reactions of soft-belly dictators in other Arabic countries.

Channel News Asia reports that Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Abdullah, has urged Syria to pull out of Lebanon “rapidly” -- in accordance with U.N. Security Council demands.

He said, Arab countries “can not resist these (democracy) pressures unless Syrian troops are withdrawn.”

Equally significant is the reaction of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to the Middle East democracy movement.

He is acutely aware that Egypt’s widely supported National Campaign for Change Committee last week changed its name to Kifaya.

The group’s goal seems reasonable to Americans -- allow more than one candidate for the presidency.

Egypt holds an election every six years but there is only one name on the ballot for president as nominated by the parliament. A ballot asks a single question: “Shall he be elected? Yes or No.”

Under this distorted system, only four Egyptian presidents have been elected since King Farouk was exiled by a bloodless military coop in 1952.

Mubarak came into “elected” power 24 years ago when his predecessor, Anwar Sadat, was assassinated by soldiers in a military parade for recognizing Israel.

Mubarak’s mama didn’t raise no dumbbells. He has walked the line between democracy and dictatorship for many years.

The world’s guardian of democracy – United States of America – is grateful for Mubarak’s political dexterity. He is rewarded with $1.9 billion annually in aid.

President Bush apparently believes that Mubarak can be – should be -- the bellwether for opposition to foot-stomping wild-eyed fire-breathing bomb- throwing Arabs.

It’s a hard job, but somebody’s got to do it.

Mubarak will be measured by Egyptians this Fall by a new election. It will be interesting to see if he has competition.

It will be more interesting to see what effect Kifaya has on Arab foreign ministers when they meet in Cairo on Wednesday to plan an Arab summit in Algeria.

Significantly France and the rest of old Europe have joined the U.S. in pressuring Syria to make nice.

Assad doesn’t have to be slapped with a 2x4 to get his attention. His secret police tipped off Iraqi that Saddam Hussein’s half-brother Sabawi al- Hassan -- and 29 other Baath Party fugitives directing the Iraqi insurgency – could be nabbed at the border.

Sabawi was Saddam’s intelligence chief and the six of diamonds on the U. S. military’s pack of most-wanted cards. Only 11 Saddam henchmen remain at large.

Chalk up the word “Kifaya’ -- along with “Abracadabra” -- as a magic door opener to the den of thieves.

Lindsey Williams is a Sun columnist who can be contacted at LinWms@earthlink.com