President Obama on Friday strongly defended the rights of Egyptian protesters who have taken to the streets to demand political change, cautioning the government of President Hosni Mubarak to avoid violence and adopt “concrete steps that advance the rights” of the country’s citizens. Obama’s televised remarks capped a day of warnings from his administration – including a threat to review the aid package Egypt receives from the United States – that reflected the urgency of the crisis facing America’s most powerful ally in the Arab world. “We’ve also been clear that there must be reform – political, social and economic reforms that meet the aspirations of the Egyptian people,” Obama said. “In the absence of these reforms, grievances have built up over time.”
All these messages show how serious US is when it comes to democracy and freedom in any part of the world.
But is it true? Is US really worried about democracy and people’s rights or there is a larger picture which we have failed to see?
We know what is the meaning of “reforms” and why US is so much interested in it, don’t we?
According to wikileaks, The United States has pumped tens of millions of dollars into pro-democracy organizations in Egypt, as per diplomatic cables US has directly contributed to “building up the forces that oppose the President of Egypt”.
We all know that Arab countries are very poor in context of human rights, democratic values and a change is definitely needed. But a change artificially induced by US is not the solution, these so-called revolutions will only make the lives of people more miserable. US is not only funding organizations that talk about western form of democracy and principles but is also creating leaders who do not have any mass base, these leaders become celebrities by strategically getting awards and recognitions from western countries including Nobel Peace Prize.
Today it is Tunisia and Egypt, Jordan has already started feeling the heat, but US is doing this kind of strategic funding in various other parts of the world including in India and rest of south asia.
Unlike in Arab countries, in India and South Asia, US is also investing in media and other important sectors that guide the public opinion. Also strong corporate ties with Indian business houses is emerging as a key force in Indian Policy making. That’s why, we see almost all big indian corporate houses talking about corruption and lack of governance as key issues during World Economic Forum in Davos. They have even sent an open letter to PM on the issue and urgent need of “reforms”.
What is not understandable is how these corporates, organizations and social leaders all are talking in same language which is politically very correct? Why is there no conflict of interest? Is there actually a common goal everyone is striving for or is there something hidden behind this language of change and revolution?
No one can deny the fact that we need more transparency and accountability, no once deny the fact that corruption has become a cancer and we need to root it out.
But we need to be very careful in what are we demanding and whose language are we using, we need to be aware of the kind of leaders we are promoting. Simple way to ensure this is to check whether these social leaders are applying same values of democracy, transparency and accountability in their own organizations and work or not?
I am afraid that answers to these simple questions can be very shocking and hurting for those who are waiting for a ready-made, push button revolution.
Governance is not the only area of interest for US, from agriculture to science almost in all key sectors, we now have leaders created by US and western economies who talk about need for change and who are in the business of inspiring hopes….
beware friends, this revolution may just be a sponsored one
Aam Aadmi 