Another Democracy in Mideast, UAE to Hold Elections!
Crossroads Arabia, an excellent blog on Middle Eastern and Saudi Arabian news, is reporting that the United Arab Emirates will hold democratic elections.
The pro-western Sheikh who is seen as a modernizer also said that there would be no restrictions on the participation of women in the elections.
The new leader of the United Arab Emirates announced on Thursday that there would be democratic elections early next year:
United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan announced on Thursday that the oil-rich Gulf state is to hold its first elections, in a move towards reforms.Arab News has more on this historic decision:
"We have decided to boost the role of the consultative council by electing half of its members through councils in each emirate," Sheikh Khalifa said in an address marking the national day of the seven-member federation.
He said the process of choosing the new council would start early next year and there would be no restrictions on the participation of women. Candidates will be able to campaign on radio and television and put up billboards.
DUBAI, 2 December 2005 — The United Arab Emirates yesterday announced partial elections to the Federal National Council (FNC). The announcement was made on the eve of the country’s national day and 13 months after the founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed ibn Sultan Al-Nahayan, passed away.Crossroads Arabia adds:
The move comes amid growing American pressure on Arab countries to adopt democracy. The 22 members of the Arab League are unanimous that such changes should not be imposed by outside forces and that each country should be free to adopt its own reforms after taking into consideration the realities on the ground and domestic imperatives, particularly the tribal foundations. (blah, blah)
This article from the Arab News is interesting in several ways. First, it is acknowledging that US pressure on Middle Eastern governments to develop their own forms of representational government is actually producing results.Much more at Crossroads Arabia
Second, a Saudi paper’s running this article is more than simple reportage; it’s also an endorsement of the idea.
Finally, I note that only half of the positions will be elected, with the other half appointed. This is the same half-and-half model that the Saudi government used in the municipal elections held earlier this year. While the governments are willing to take a step forward, they are not willing to take a step off a cliff–or perhaps it’s Kierkegaard’s “blind leap of faith”–that a newly elected government, with no experience and no precedent, will know how to do the right things simply through being elected.
* * * * *
Hopefully the UAE elections will go better than the elections in Egypt, where the desire for democracy is so strong that voters will climb up ladders into buildings being blocked by police out front,... just to vote!
Rantings of a Sandmonkey has more on the violence and disruptions during the latest rounds of voting in Egypt.
Freedom for Egyptians is still hopeful for Egypt.
Big Pharoah explains why the Muslim Brotherhood fared so well.
posted by Gateway Pundit at 12/02/2005 04:16:00 AM
6 Comments:
Excess Excuberance Watch:
Gulfnews: UAE to hold elections: "A senior official was quoted as saying that no general election would be held. 'Officials of each emirate will appoint representatives to the council, which will have some 2,000 members, mostly dignitaries, Shaikhs and prominent figures in the society,' he said. 'This entity will then elect from either within or outside its ranks half of the council.'"
Well nothing like raining on the picnic! Yes, not perfect, not 2005 USA, but a bold move, regardless.
Gonna have to rain some more on your picnic
I am a UAE National and it is good that we are having 'democratic' elections but it is nothing to do with US pressure. Like Chilton said elsewhere it is just the natural evolution of our country.
UAE has existed for 35 years and was founded and ruled by a great and kind man Sheikh Zayed. Both local arabs and westerners loved him, as his leadership and vision was rear: While he was in power he transformed our small 'beduoin' community into an international hub for business. In a short time we accumalated vast wealth and invested it properly. He also kept us safe from terror, war and even crime.
During his time (he died a year ago) the population did NOT want elections...coz why would we risk wanting to spoil a good thing by electing some one incompetent or self serving?
This maybe hard for you to understand how a people could love and respect their leader so much and to you I may come across as a brainwashed young man. But the middle east isnt exactly the same as how you experience it through your news media and films and the UAE certainly isnt anything like what you may think it is.
I am an expatriate living in the UAE and I totally agree with local hero when he says the people did not want elections. I would also add that we are still not interested in elections. The UAE provides us with a stable environment to live. We don't want to spoil it with elections and campaigning and the likes. We get our fair share of entertainment watching elections in the US.
I lived and worked in the UAE for six years during the time of the late Sheikh Zayed and will vouch completely for what Local Hero has said. It isn't hard for Americans to understand such love and respect for a leader, it's almost impossible! For Emiratis Sheikh Zayed was like Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt combined. Let's give our unqualified support for this movement toward democratic participation by one of our best allies in the Middle East.
Gateway:
Update on my weather forecast: these two stories are very encouraging and suggest the leadership is intent on setting an irreversible path to direct elections:
Gulfnews: Democracy to be taught from Grade One
Gulfnews: UAE will (eventually) hold direct elections
See also,
Gulfnews: Academics say political reforms must guarantee universal suffrage
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