BBC: US 'blocking Arab freedom report'

[Moonwatcher]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4121261.stm

US 'blocking Arab freedom report'
Sections on the US occupation of Iraq reportedly upset Washington


The editor of a UN survey of freedom and governance in Arab societies says the US has impeded its publication.

Nader Fergani said the US objected to sections of the document on Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He said it had been threatening to cut its contribution to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

...

The Arab scholars who prepared it are meeting in Beirut next week to discuss publishing it under their own names.

"My understanding is that the UNDP will not publish it under its logo, but they will not prevent it from being published under the names of the authors," said Mr Fergani.

"It seems that the pressure that was put on the UNDP was too heavy to bear."


more ...

[burythehatchet]

1. Excellent

lets give the book as much pub as we can. Make an issue out of it and make sure more people read it.

[sandnsea]

2. The article also says

"A UNDP statement said the report was in the "final stages of preparation".

It went on: "While at different times, concerns have been raised by some governments about the content of the forthcoming report, no formal discussions on editorial content have taken place, no government has asked for their suppression."

Press reports that Washington had threatened to cut future funding for UNDP over the report "are inaccurate," it added."

Objectivity really requires knowing both sides, then watching carefully as the story unfolds.

[nascarblue]

3. What would you guess they object to? Anyone?

[C_eh_N_eh_D_eh]

4. Oppression in Saudi Arabia would be my guess.

Especially if it mentions the Saudi government's involvement with terrorists, and their business relations with the US government.

[sandnsea]

5. We give millions to Egypt

They aren't exactly all freedom and liberty either.