Cablegate: Media Reaction: International Religious Freedom

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SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
REPORT

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Summary
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1. Moderate Arabic daily Al-Seyassah reprinted an article by
Mohamed Yousef Al-Melaify titled "The audacity of the
American report." Mr. Al-Melaify heavily criticized the
International Religious Freedom Report. He questioned the
authenticity of the report's information as well as the
integrity of its authors. Al-Melaify also pointed out
shortcomings of the U.S. Government and American society.
End summary.

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Block Quote
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2. Sunday, November 13, 2005

-- Mohamed Yousef Al-Melaify wrote for moderate Al-Seyassah
on page 28, under the title "The audacity of the American
report": "the Kuwaiti proverb that translates into `taking a
bad situation and making it worse' best describes the
American report on the alleged violations of religious
rights in the world. The report was prepared by a
suspicious group of so-called "neo-conservatives" and
included our big sister the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,
and other nations. I prefer Dr. Walid Al-Tabtabaei's
response to this suspicious report where he said that while
America's house is made of glass it continues to throw rocks
at others. What freedom of religion do you (neo-
conservatives) speak of when our holy Koran is still being
violated in your prisons established in the East and the
West? Of what freedom of religion do you speak when those
released from your prisons are still telling tales of
horror? Of what freedom of religion do you speak when you
have given your blessings to the murder of the handicapped
Sheikh Ahmed Yassin? And, what has he done other than give
speeches and speak out? It is puzzling that the American
report would mention women's rights when their number of
illegitimate children exceeds those born to legitimate
parents. It is puzzling that the American report would
mention treatment of domestic workers when the exploitation
of what they call `illegal aliens' is widely known--having
them work for lower wages and threatening them with
deportation in case they do not comply. It was only a few
years ago that blacks were not allowed into white schools,
cinemas, or restaurants. They were even prevented from
sitting in the front half of the bus. And, what of the
Oklahoma City bombing? It reeks of racism that is worse
than anything we could have ever done."

LEBARON

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