The Foreign Service Journal, March 2003

F O C U S M A R C H 2 0 0 3 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 35 during the initial Israeli siege of the West Bank and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat’s compound in Ramallah. At that time, Powell made a trip to Europe before heading to the scene of the events in the Middle East. “The fact that Powell delayed his trip to the Palestinian territories gave the impression that Sharon has a green light to carry on his campaign of destruction against the Palestinians,” says Sa’id, who spent 2002 as Washington bureau chief of Al-Ahram newspaper. Second, Sa’id condemns as “heavy-handed” Washington’s diplomatic pressure on the U.N. to drop its call for sending an international fact-finding team to the Palestinian territories to look into reports of an Israeli massacre of Palestinians and human rights viola- tions at the Jenin refugee camp. Savior or Sellout? At the same time, Sa’id (who has a Ph.D in political science from the U.S.) gives Powell credit for a mea- sured, “sophisticated approach” when it comes to Arab and Muslim issues. “Powell has been trying to be more accommodative to Arab needs and rights, as is clear from his backing for the U.S. policy statement that there should be a viable Palestinian state.” He also notes that Secretary Powell was the administration’s point man in announcing a major initiative for political, economic, social and educational reform in the Arab and Islamic states in a speech at the Heritage Foundation in December 2002. For Egyptian lawmaker Feki, the initiative — titled the U.S.-Middle East Partnership — has won some credibility merely due to the fact that it was launched by Powell himself. “Had the initiative been announced by someone other than Powell, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld for example, the reaction would have been totally different. There would have been more negative attitudes,” says Feki. Sa’id believes that the initiative has many positive and constructive aspects worthy of consideration in the Arab HOW TO BUY AUTO INSURANCE OVERSEAS T HERE’S REALLY ONLY ONE WAY. Select the agent who offers broad experience and a high level of repeat business. Experience that helps you avoid the pitfalls of a highly complex business. Repeat business that results from providing what’s best for the customer not the agent nor the insurance company. Since 1969, Harry M. Jannette has provided dependable coverage with U.S. carriers with a financial rating of A+ or higher to thousands of Foreign Service Personnel worldwide. Thus you gain the broadest U.S. terms and conditions and flexible value limits often not available from other insurance carriers. MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED: SEE OUR WEBSITE APPLICATIONS WHILE IN WASHINGTON, D.C, AREA PLEASE CALL TOLL FREE 1 800 256-5141 Harry M. Jannette International, L.L.C. A Wood-Wilson Company 8111 LBJ Freeway, Suite 585 Dallas, Texas 75251-1334 Telephone (972) 783-4915 • Fax (972) 783-0545 Call (800) 256-5141 • E-mail: jintl@jannetteintl.com www.jannetteintl.com • WORLDWIDE COVERAGE Fire, theft, comprehensive and collision protection are available at foreign posts. • U.S. AUTO LIABILITY Available for short term on home leave, change of assignment, and new auto purchase prior to foreign departure. This coverage must be issued in combination with an “Embassy Plan” auto policy. • OCEAN/AIR CARGO COVERAGE Transit available from U.S. to post, post to post, and post to U.S. • PERSONAL COVERAGE Household goods and transit, valuable articles, personal liability, life insurance. • EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION INSURANCE Including Directors and Officers.