DUBAI, 5 November 2004 — Islamists used the Internet yesterday to vent their anger at US President George W. Bush’s re-election, with one accusing the American people of choosing “the logic of war”. “The logic of war has won over the Americans, who chose Bush,” said one remark on an Islamist website, overflowing with passionate reactions to the Republican victory.
“It’s time to wake people from their slumber ... to remind them that Bush’s victory presages new wars,” said the surfer. The victory of “Bush, the despicable, is good, because it opens the way to jihad (holy war) in several Arab countries,” wrote another, called Abderrahman.
Impassioned Islamist surfers also began to focus attention on the American people for their responsibility in the democratic process. “They want war and we are ready,” said one. “Muslims living over there (in the United States) must leave quickly,” said another. “The United States is beating the war drums. This will be World War Three. So, get ready for war,” said another, signing himself Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi.
Meanwhile, Arab governments reminded Bush of his commitment to Middle East diplomacy, in the hope a second Bush administration will pay more attention to one of their top priorities. Washington promised a new push to revive a stalled US-backed Middle East peace plan, but offered few specifics.
The official Arab message to Bush was one of polite cajoling and willingness to work with the United States to revive Middle East talks, which made no significant progress in Bush’s first term.
But their emphasis on his past commitments, to a Palestinian state for example, reflected low expectations that Bush would take any bold new steps to end a conflict that has dominated regional politics for more than 50 years.
Arab commentators and ordinary people were divided between those who believed Washington would change course and those who thought Bush’s views were too deeply entrenched. Some forecast the situation would get worse.
Bush has said he supports a Palestinian state alongside Israel and an international peace plan known as the “road map”, which imposes obligations on both sides.
