I thought of sending this article to Secretary Rice but I did not know how to do that. I agree with many of Miss Rice's statement and ideas, but when I look at the application on the ground particularly in the Middle East I discover that the State Department under the leadership of Miss Rice is repeating the same mistakes of the Era of Vietnam and Afghanistan.Secretary Rice said and I totally agree: "...We believe that a democratic, modernizing, moderate Middle East is the best chance for peace in this region, it is the best chance for true stability in this region, and it is the only way -- democratic institutions are the only way that people who have differences resolve those differences peacefully."But my question to her: Is Democracy in the Middle East is different from that in the States or any other Western Country? Is what happening in Iraq is Democracy according to the standards of US and the West? Is Democracy is only about Elections? Isn't it such Democracy that brought Hitler to power in Germany and is bringing in Iraq and Palestine parties that in reality do not believe in Democracy and is completely theocratic? In Vietnam the US backed local Regimes that were not democratic and paid a heavy price for that and then repeated the same mistakes in Afghanistan, It backed radical Islamic movements in its attempt to break down the Soviet Union and paid the price in September 11 and still paying the price in the War against Terrorism.Yes Democracy in the Middle East is the best chance for peace in this region, it is the best chance for true stability in this region, and it is the only way, but Real Democracy, the same kind of Democracy the American Citizen is enjoying.Democracy is a complete pact of principles and not only Elections. I think Miss Rice agrees with me that Democracy means the rule of law, a separation of powers, and protection of liberties of speech, assembly, religion, and property and this is the kind of Democracy we expect the United States and the Secretary of States will back in the Middle East . Democracy and secularism must go hand in hand and parties in Democracy compete according to Political Programs , not because they represent Kurds or Sunni or Shiaats . Such kind of Democracy must lead to the catastrophic situation emerging in Iraq and eventually a more Dictator regime , even worse than that of Saddam will emerge just to implent Security and the States along with Secretary Rice or whoever will replace her will swallow their pride and accept that Regime. In fact Iran and its allies in Iraq and its allies in the Middle East are winning , just because the United States and Bush Adminstration is Repeating the same mistakes of Vietnam and Afghanistan.My last word to Secretary Rice , you are not doing what you previously said about Transformational Diplomacy:" I would define the objective of transformational diplomacy this way: To work with our many partners around the world to build and sustain democratic, well-governed states that will respond to the needs of their people -- and conduct themselves responsibly in the international system…Transformational diplomacy is rooted in partnership, not paternalism""So , Either to be up to your words , and up to the Principles of Democracy and mostly the Principles of the American Constitution or pull back from the Middle East and leave us to our Destiny. At the time being you are doing more harm than good and your last trip to the Middle East is a good proof , tying to make a coalition among regimes that are not Democratic and hated by their people. You only made radical Islamic movements win more grounds and Popularity. I hope I could convey the message as a Middle East Citizen who is dreaming of the Day that Real Democracy will be a fact in the Region, the same Democracy the Western Citizen is enjoying, there is no compromise in that aspect and US should not make any Compromise about what kind of Democratic Governments States thatin democratic, well-governed states that will respond to the needs of their people -- and conduct themselves responsibly in the international system…Transformational diplomacy is rooted in partnership, not paternalism""
So , Either to be up to your words , and up to the Principles of Democracy and mostly the Principles of the American Constitution or pull back from the Middle East and leave us to our Destiny. At the time being you are doing more harm than good and your last trip to the Middle East is a good proof , tying to make a coalition among regimes that are not Democratic and hated by their people. You only made radical Islamic movements win more grounds and Popularity.
I hope I could convey the message as a Middle East Citizen who is dreaming of the Day that Real Democracy will be a fact in the Region, the same Democracy the Western Citizen is enjoying, there is no compromise in that aspect and US should not make any Compromise about what kind of Democratic Governments States that we will be considered partners in this troubled region.
It is the time of real Transformational Diplomacy.

Dr Amr Ismail