IT WAS an extraordinary experience watching the Congress of Democrats and Republicans listening to US President George W. Bush deliver the State of the Union address. The most influential and powerful men and women were gathered to pass judgment on the president’s plans to win the “War on Terror.” In the upper benches with the rest of journalists and media professionals I heard the same war rhetoric — the only language that Bush has uttered since the 9/11 tragedy. Again and again, he warned the American people of the dangers of their enemies and reminded his audience that America is still a nation at war. He repeatedly exaggerated the power of his so-called “enemies” almost labeling all who oppose his policies in the Middle East as terrorists.

However, I was relieved to learn that I was not the only one frustrated by his war-mongering speech. The next day, the headline news in USA Today read, “Senators Say ‘No’ to Bush Iraq Plan.” All the TV networks continued to analyze his speech during the night and the news channels included in-depth interviews with leading Republicans and Democrats who criticized Bush’s policy of preemptive war and voiced their concern over the dangerous course that the US is heading toward.

American media until today continues to criticize these policies, and a large demonstration against the war in Iraq indicated how a large portion of Americans are angry with their president and feel strongly against this war.

I truly appreciated the opportunity to discuss my concerns from an Arab perspective with several members of American media organizations, and the exchange was very enriching and rewarding. I was fortunate to be in the US on a study mission that was sponsored by the National Democratic Institute to allow journalists from the Middle East to observe the convening of the 110th US Congress, a new congress that ushers in new political leadership for the first time in 12 years that could influence a new direction in US foreign policy.

During the course of this study, I was able to learn how political issues are covered by the American media and to exchange views with media representatives as well as civic and political leaders on global issues that are of major concern to us all. Most importantly of all, I was fortunate to exchange views on Bush’s policy and how it is perceived in the Arab and Muslim world. His State of the Union address was the focus of many discussions, and I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss it. Here are some of the statements with which I take issue.

Bush spent more time talking about Hezbollah than finding a mutually agreeable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has spilled over into Lebanon since the early 1980s and continues to destabilize the Middle East. The United States could be a powerful broker for peace and should be, but its inattention to this root-cause of Arab enmity perpetuates the region’s mistrust of American intentions and undermines global stability.

America called for democracy in Palestine and then told the Palestinians they elected the wrong people. Is it not the right of people in a democracy to elect whoever they wish? The reaction of America and its allies to the democratic election of Hamas indicates that the West wants something less than democracy in the Middle East.

The American people deserve the chance to get a better understanding of the issues involved in this conflict. An earlier president and one who took the greatest strides toward the resolution of this conflict — Jimmy Carter — recently likened the treatment of Palestinians to the blacks of South Africa under Apartheid. It is an intolerable situation and one that should have been resolved long ago. It has served as fuel for extremism that has festered along with the suffering of displaced Palestinians. Clearly the cornerstone of the Bush’s “War on Terror” should be the resolution of what has become an outrage against basic human rights and decency rather than a continuation of it.

Bush also talked about the situation in Iraq and a new strategy that was not new. It promised more of the same military solutions to protect Iraq. He said: “Our goal is a democratic Iraq that upholds the rule of law, respects the rights of its people, provides them security and is an ally in the war on terror.”

His statement shows how much he is detached from reality and how far he is from achieving his goals. His military course puts a government in place that is not accepted by the people of Iraq, robbed Iraq of its security that was there even during the rule of Saddam, the dictator, and shows no respect to the rights of Iraqis when American troops bomb the wrong location or arrest the wrong Iraqis.

A diplomatic solution is the only way to achieve this. Bush needs to respect the rights of all the Iraqi people, Sunni and Shia, and not to label them as terrorists or extremists. They once lived side by side and intermarried without prejudice. It is your war, Mr. President, that caused the conflict between them and created the bad blood existing today. It is a cycle of revenge and retaliation and five years of barbarity that has destroyed Iraq, killed innocent people and tortured and humiliated proud Iraqis in the Abu Ghraib prison.

I agree with the statement that “If American forces step back before Iraq is secure, the Iraqi government would be overrun ... the region would be drawn into a conflict.” But the way forward is to use diplomacy and a reconciliation strategy between Sunnis and Shias of Iraq, to help them live together in peace, help them forget their pain, to respect their grief and not to pass judgment on them.

Mistakes were committed on all fronts, and the first to apologize should be the United States for committing all the atrocities in Iraq to take revenge against Saddam. His people were innocent. You, Mr. President, made them what they are today.

It is heartening to know that many Americans are opposed to the war. I have met many who are compassionate and conscientious, who are against the policies of Bush and are working hard to change the direction of the war policies of America today. May they succeed in their endeavors, and may the world have the peace that is so desired by all.

— Samar Fatany is a Jeddah-based radio journalist. She can be reached at [email protected]