Global Voices Online » International Relations

UAE: .il unblocked?

Amira Al Hussaini — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:10:56 +0000

samuraisam, from the UAE Community Blog, asks: “Has anyone else found the Israeli TLD to be unblocked from the UAE? On my Etisalat connection it seems to be open.”

Kyrgyzstan: Water Management

Adil Nurmakov — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:37:08 +0000

Misha reflects on the problems of water management in Central Asia against the background of the news about glacial retreat in Kyrgyzstan.

Egypt: A fine line between patriotism and chauvinism

Marwa Rakha — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:33:05 +0000

From ferocious marketing campaigns to Facebook wars, the hacking of websites, and owl burning, the November 14th football match between Egypt and Algeria has turned into an ugly war which got worse after Egypt's defeat on November 18 in Sudan. Egyptian and Algerian youth got sucked into a Twitter war and in real life Egyptians went on demonstrations, attacked the Algerian Embassy, and demanded revenge. Egyptian-Algerian actor Ahmed Mekky dedicated a song called “Wake Up“ to the hypnotized mobs before the first match, where he asked Egyptians and Algerians to remember their legacy of Arabism. Alaa Mubarak, the Egyptian President's eldest son, turned into a national hero when he called live on TV and beat the drums of war.

From the President's son to renowned actors and actresses, media figures, writers, and Facebook users, fury has blinded common sense; Dr. Mostafa Al Naggar was there the night of the demonstrations in Zamalek and he hated what he saw:

الغضب يمليء الجميع يتحدثون بانفعال وحدة ويكيلون الشتائم التي كنت اخجل وهم يتحدثون امام فتاة بمثل هذه الالفاظ ، اسألهم عن وظائفهم ؟ اتفاجيء ان منهم مبرمج كمبيوتر ، واخر خريج فنون جميلة ، واخر محاسب والبعض طلبة والبعض صنايعية في حرف مختلفة وكلهم قادمون من اماكن مختلفة من القاهرة ، تتعالي الهتافات والشتائم البذيئة وحرق اعلام الجزائر واشعال النار عبر زجاجات السبراي ، الحماس يشتعل اكثر ، الشوارع الجانبية تبدوا كصنابير مياه تضخ كل لحظة مزيدا من البشر يدخلون في زفة وهياج وصراخ ، يحملون اعلام مصر ، السيارات التي اخطأ اصحابها وتركوها تحت الكوبري يصيبها التلف من وقوف المتظاهرين عليها وقفزهم عليها ، اسرع الي بعضهم
اقول : يا رجالة حرام كدا دي فلوس ناس مالهاش ذنب انزلوا يا جدعان ، واحد منهم يصرخ : انت جزائري ؟؟ قلت له : انا مصري وادي بطاقتي بس انزلوا حرام عليكم ، لا يسمعون ويتقافزون ليخبطوا بأقدامهم علي سقف السيارات كلما اشتد الحماس

Their anger-loaded words and intense rage put me to shame in front of the girl who was with us and had to listen to all their curses and cuss words. I asked them about their jobs and to my surprise they were a melange of a computer programmer, an applied arts graduate, an accountant, students, handymen, and labor workers coming from different areas of Cairo with no prior knowledge of one another. I watched as their angry cheers, obscene slogans, flammable bottles, and the smoke of burnt Algerian flags filled the air. Enthusiasm escalated as masses coming out of side streets joined the hysterical mobs, waved their hand-held Egyptian flags, howled in anger and jumped on top of cars that were parked in the streets. I tried to tell them to stop, to cool down, to stop damaging the cars of fellow Egyptians whose only crime was parking their cars in the street. They accused me of being Algerian! I showed them my Egyptian ID card! They refused to listen and got carried away with anger!

Wael Nawara knows that a hairline separates patriotism from chauvinism:

هناك فرق شعرة بين الانتماء القومي والتمييز العرقي، بين حب الوطن وكراهية الآخر.
الليبرالية الحقيقية لا تعرف التعصب العرقي الأعمى ولا الشوفونية، الليبرالية الحقيقية تجعلنا جميعاً أخوة ليس في الإسلام ولا في العروبة، ولكن في الإنسانية.
هذا لا يعني أن نتنازل عن حقوقنا، يجب أن نتقصى الحقائق بكل موضوعية، ونبحث عن حقوق من أهدرت دماؤهم أو روعوا أو أوذوا في ممتلكاتهم أو أعمالهم سواء كانوا مصريين أو جزائريين أو سودانيين، علينا أن نسعى للحصول على حقوقنا بكل الطرق، بما فيها إمكانية قطع العلاقات الديبلوماسية مع الجزائر، رداً على ما يبدو من تواطؤ رسمي من النظام، علينا أن نحصل على حقوقنا المادية والمعنوية كاملة، حتى لو وصلنا لمجلس الأمن، لكن هذا لا يبرر بأي صورة من الصور، أن نصم شعباً بأكمله بأنه همجي أو بربري أو محب للعنف أو نحقر من شأنه بأي تعميم وكأن هذا يرفع من شأننا نحن

Their is a fine line between nationalism and racism; between loving your country and rejecting the other. True liberalism does not approve of racial discrimination, intolerance, fanaticism, and chauvinism. True liberalism makes us all brothers - not in the name of Islam nor in the name of Arabism! We are brothers in the name of humanity! This is by no means a call to give up our rights; we should investigate thoroughly, yet objectively, all the facts, return the right of all those whose blood was shed, scared out of their wits, or vandalized, whether they were Egyptians, Algerians, or Sudanese. We should do our best to pursue our rights even if we reach the Security Council. But this is by no means a justification to call an entire nation barbaric, tribal, or trigger happy! Talking down to them does not make us any better.

Ahmed Naje is disgusted with the Egyptian cultural scene

لسنا معنيين بما صرح به فلان من أهل السياسة على هذه الشاشة أو تلك. فمعظم هؤلاء مدانون ومخططاتهم واضحة. لكن ما يبعث على القلق في القضية ان هذا الصراع الغوغائي البائس والخاسر سلفاً، اسقط الأقنعة عن وجوه الكثيرين. وحسناًفعل. مرة أخرى: ليس أقنعة السياسيين ورجال ما يسمّى الاعلام، انما الأقنعة التي يلبسها أهل الفن في بلد كانت فيه السينما، ذات زمن غابر، مفخرةللعالم العربي، قبل أن يتحول في قسمه الغالب مهزلة.

What this or that politician blurted on this or that screen is none of my current concerns for most of them are guilty and convicted of having hidden agendas. What I find truly alarming is the pathetic barbaric doomed conflict that revealed the true faces of many - Not politicians! Not the so-called media personalities! No! I am talking about the masks that hide the real faces of film makers in a country that prided itself on its cinema industry a very long time ago - before it all turned into a farce!

Naje goes on to denounce the shameful statements of those who should carry the torch of enlightenment. He actually believes that they have tricked us into looking up to them for decades and tricked those in charge of film festivals into believing that they were worthy of honors and awards:

عادل امام كان زعيم هذه الجوقة. وما الذي تتوقعونه من فنان يتسامح مع اللقب الذي اطلق عليه؟ لقب الزعيم. هل الزعامة في بلدان التوريث والشمولية شيء يرفع الرأس؟
أياً يكن، فهو لم يكن مضحكاً عندما قال: مصر أم الدنيا. ويللي بقول غير كده حندوسو بالجزمة. كلمة الجزمة هذه استحضرت مرة أخرى على لسان فنانة يبدو انها كانت خارجة من حفل ختام مهرجان القاهرة السينمائي، فسألتها المذيعة ما رأيها ان المهرجان كان قد كرم قبل أيام معدودة السينما الجزائرية، فقالت ان (هؤلاء) لازم نكرمهم بالجزم. أما المهرجان المذكور، فتحول في سهرة ختامه حفلا زجليا لتمجيد الشوفينية. أمسك فتحي عبد الوهاب جائزته أمام الجمهور، ونار العصبية تخرج من عينيه المرعبتين وأهداها الى منتخب بلاده
في لحظة تعصب وعودة الى الغرائز البدائية، خلط الجميع بين الناس والسلطة والفن

Adel Emam - The Leader - was truly the leader of this chorus! But what do you expect from an artist who enjoys being called a “leader” in a country that embraces succession and totalitarianism? He did not make me laugh when he said that “Egypt is the mother of all nations and he who says otherwise can kiss my shoes!” This reference to shoe throwing reminded me of another actress who was on her way out of the Cairo Film Festival. Upon being asked her opinion of Algerian cinema being celebrated in the festival a couple of days before, the actress said “They should be celebrated with shoes.” Speaking of festivals, the closing ceremony of the Cairo Film Festival turned into a poetic celebration of chauvinism; Actor Fathy Abdel Wahab held his award as he looked his audience with fearful intolerant eyes, and dedicated his award to the national football team! In a moment of prejudice and a return to primitiveness, the people, politics, and art melted in one crucible.

Naje continues the saga of prejudice saying:

أما أن تقولها ممثلة(يسرا)، تنظر اليها الجماهير في 22 بلدا عربيا، على انها نموذج يحتذى به، فهذه مسألة يجب أن تجعل الكثيرين يعيدون النظر في مفاهيمهم. هل الكلمة اصبحت رخيصة وغيرمسؤولة الى هذا الحد؟ أعتقد ذلك.
لم تكتف الممثلة بهذا الحدّ، بل احتدت وتحدت وتوعدت الجميع بأن مصر ستكون المارد ولا أحد يستطيع هزمها. وتابعت خطابها الانفعالي: نحن هوليوود الشرق. نحن الثقافة .نحن البلد العربي الوحيد الذي نال جائزة نوبل. نحن لدينا كل شيء والآخرون لا يملكون شيئاً، لهذا السبب يغارون منا. سينمانا عمرها مئة سنة. مين دي الجزائر؟ لاشيء! مصر هي البلد الوحيد المذكور في القرآن، وهي بلاد الله المختارة
في هذا الصراع العبثي، لم توفرالعنصرية أحداً من شرها. وترجمت أحياناً بالتهديد بالقتل: اذ ذهب فنان آخر الى أبعد من مجرد السبّة، مصرحاً بأنه اذا لمح جزائرياً في الشارع أمامه فسيقتله ويستشهد.

An icon like Yousra who has been a role model in 22 Arab countries proved that talk is really cheap as she lashed out irresponsibly on TV saying that Egypt is the unconquerable giant … the Arab Hollywood … the essence of culture … the only Arab country that was awarded a Nobel Prize … we have it all and the others have none of it … they are envious of us … our cinema industry is a hundred years old … who is this Algeria? A big nothing! We are God's chosen country! Egypt has been mentioned in the Qura'an! Another actor took this frivolous conflict to another dimension; he said that if he spotted an Algerian in the street he would kill him and become a martyr!

When asked to choose sides, Egyptian-Algerian actor Ahmed Mekky chose Egypt. Zeinobia cheered for his new song “I am Egyptian“:

Ahmed Mekky has released a new Rap song but this time he is singing for Egypt. Egyptian-Algerian Mekky demands an official apology from Algeria for what happened. It is the best among all these songs released lately may be because it is more honest and it is not about the crisis rather about Egypt itself.

Instead of separate Egyptian and Algerian statements, Wael Nawara published a joint Egyptian-Algerian statement signed by 140 people from all over the Arab world:

نحن - الموقعين أدناه - وقد أفزعنا ما وصلت إليه العلاقات المصرية الجزائرية من تدهور فى الأيام الأخيرة إثر مباراة المنتخبين المصرى والجزائرى وما سبقها وتلاها من أحداث مؤسفة أضرت بالعلاقات التاريخية بين الشعبين، نؤكد إدانتنا الكاملة للتصرفات غير المسئولة التى أقدم عليها متعصبون من الجانبين ونرفض الاعتداءات التى تعرض لها مصريون فى الجزائر والخرطوم بذات القدر الذى نرفض به تعرض أى مواطن جزائرى للأذى على أرض مصر.
كما ندين تصرفات بعض الإعلاميين غير المهنية من الجانبين ونطالب الجهات المسئولة بالبلدين بإجراء تحقيق عاجل مع هؤلاء وتوقيع الجزاء المهنى على من تثبت إدانته فى تعميق الخلافات بين الجانبين.
ونطالب بوقف الحملات الإعلامية المتبادلة فورًا.
كما نطالب المسئولين فى البلدين بالتحلى بأعلى قدر من ضبط النفس والعمل المشترك على وقف التدهور الحاصل فى العلاقات بين البلدين مع الحفاظ على الاحترام والود المتبادلين.

We - the undersigned - are horrified at how the Egyptian-Algerian relationship had deteriorated in the aftermath of the football match between the two national teams, and the shameful acts on both side before and after the match that damaged the bond between the two countries. We fully convict the irresponsible acts on both sides of prejudiced fanatics. We denounce the attacks on Egyptian civilians in Algeria and Khartoum just as much as we denounce the attacks on Algerian citizens on Egyptian grounds. We condemn the attitude of unprofessional media members on both ends; we urge both countries to investigate their behavior and punish anyone who is convicted of inflaming the conflict. We also demand that both countries cease media fire and adopt an attitude of self-discipline and cooperation to restore the once healthy relationship between Egypt and Algeria.

Karim El Beheiry of Egyworkers posted ” A common Decision … We Won't Separate” in English, Arabic, and French:

وفي زمن عجزت فيه النخبة عن قيادة الرأي العام، بل وسقط بعضهم في الامتحان، وظهر أن كل أغاني العروبة والوحدة التي قدموها كانت من رحم النفاق اللهم إلا قليل.. ثم تركت الساحة للبعض من غير المهنيين وأصحاب الرأي الفاسد لتضليل الناس وشغلهم عن عظائم الأمور.. ولذلك فالأولى بنا أن نأخذ زمام المبادرة.. ونوقع على هذا البيان المبدئي ترفعاً منا عن كل تلك المناوشات اللا أخلاقية

At a time when the elite have failed to take leadership of public opinion, and some of them failed the test of tolerance, it seems that all songs of Arabism and unity that they presented were born to the womb of hypocrisy - except a few .. Then the scene was left to the non-professionals and bad opinion makers to mislead people and engage them in petty issues. It is therefore better for us to take the lead and sign this initial statement to help us rise above such petty and unethical acts.

Ahmed Al Sabbagh posted an initiative to reconcile the two countries on Facebook and on his blog:

ووقع الشعبين فى الفخ وتناصبا العداء، وقام الإعلام فى كل بلد بتقديم الصور والفيديوهات التى تفيد بأن الطرف الأخر مجرم وبربرى، وبدأت الأصوات فى البلدين بمقاطعة الأخر ومنع الفنانين والمثقفين والناشرين من إرتياد البلد الآخر، وتغيير أسماء الشوارع التى تذكر البلد الآخر.
لا ننكر أن هناك مخطئون ومجرمون، ولا ننكر أن الإختلاف وارد، لكن العداء مرفوض، فلو إختلفنا دعونا نختلف برفق وبدون إهانة

Both Egyptians and Algerians fell for the trap of animosity; the media in both countries showed evidence that “the other” is the barbaric criminal; people at both ends began calling for breaking all ties, for ending mutual artistic and cultural cooperation, and for erasing “Egypt” off any street sign in Algeria and “Algeria” off any street sign in Egypt. We are not denying that there are people who are at fault and we are not denying them the right to disagree but hostility is not an option and if we have to differ, let's be civilized about it.

Trinidad & Tobago: The Queen & the PM

Janine Mendes-Franco — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:38:36 +0000

B.C. Pires pokes fun at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which kicked off in Trinidad and Tobago today.

Pakistan: A Letter To The Neighbors

Rezwan — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:50:55 +0000

To mark the anniversary of Mumbai terror attacks, Yasser Latif Hamdani at Pak Tea House writes a letter to the Indians: “let this day signify an awakening on both sides that (says) enough with this ‘geo-strategic thinking' of one-upping each other.”

Venezuela: Thoughts About a Possible Conflict with Colombia

Laura Vidal — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:44:09 +0000

The Venezuelan blogosphere also had their opinions about the new conflicts arising between the Venezuelan and Colombian governments. As it is common in the political atmosphere of the country, opinions are divided between the views on the ongoing conflict. On one hand, the conflict is seen as another way to distract attention away from the problems inside the country; whereas, on the other hand, others see it as a move to preserve sovereignty in the face of a US military presence on bases in Colombia.

Photo of Venezuelan flag in smoke by ··· Mango Verde con Sal ··· and used under a Creative Commons license.

The international and Venezuelan public opinion still wonders if Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's intentions of war are serious, while they explore the real possibilities of Venezuela getting into an armed conflict for which the nation does not seem prepared. Meanwhile, violent incidents along the border raise tensions and puts a veil on a situation, making it difficult for a reconciliation between the two countries anytime soon. However, the most expanded opinion in the blogosphere makes it clear that a war in ths region would be a conflict among people with a very close historical background and a very deep cultural attachment.

Daniel, through his blog Venezuela News and Views quotes a very controversial Venezuelan ex-president and gives his point of view:

… Translating this communique and publishing me puts me on record as someone that will not go to war against Colombia. If Colombia were to attack is a different matter but I would need proof of it since, courtesy to the FARC and even the ELN, Chavez could create a pretext to make it look like Colombia attacked.(…)

In other words, unless proven that indeed the US and Colombia are preparing an invasion to Venezuela, which odds for me are about <0.01% , I am in open refusal and thus a traitor by chavista canon. Not to mention that I am a pacifist, a conscience objector, and cannot justify any war unless overt aggression is clearly proved. And even then I would be unable to hold a gun and shoot, and would be of any use only at some hospital or such service(…)

Gandica, from the blog Enigma Press [es] gives an original idea:

Ahora bien esta es mi posición: Si estalla la guerra entre Venezuela-Colombia invito a la comunidad virtual de blogs de Venezuela a salir con la bandera colombiana. Y a toda la tribu electrónica colombiana a salir con la bandera de Venezuela. Y combatiremos -en esta guerra entre Venezuela y Colombia- a punta de balas de aguardiente y balas de ron en una zona temporal autónoma bajo los explosivos tonos del vallenato y nuestros joropos llaneros. Y después del combate, ebrios de felicidad, nos abrazaremos y reiremos como nunca antes. Que los políticos de Venezuela y Colombia y sus poderosos intereses y los perros de la guerra-Venezuela-Colombia se despedacen entre ellos.

This is my position: If a war breaks out between Venezuela and Colombia, I invite the Venezuelan online community to go to the streets with the Colombian flag… and all the Colombian online community to go to the streets with the Venezuelan flag. We will fight –in this war between Venezuela and Colombia- with hard liquor and rum bullets in a temporal autonomous zone subjected to the explosive sound of (musical styles) vallenato and joropos llaneros. And after the battle, drunk with happiness, we will hug each other and laugh as never before. Let the Venezuelan and Colombian politician and their powerful interests and the Venezuela-Colombia’s war dogs tear each other apart.

Facebook has also been a tool to express the disapproval on this growing conflict. The group “Paz entre Colombia y Venezuela (Peace between Colombia and Venezuela)” looks for people online to join and discuss.

This is their main objective:

Este grupo no es para discutir si Chavez es bueno o malo o si Uribe hace las cosas bien o no, es solo para que, independientemente de la ideología política de cada uno de los miembros de este grupo nos unamos para RECHAZAR ROTUNDAMENTE UNA POSIBLE GUERRA ENTRE LOS PUEBLOS HERMANOS!.

This group is not aimed at discussing whether Chavez is good or bad or whether Uribe is doing things right or not, but, regardless of the political ideas of the members of the group, we get together in order to STRONGLY REJECT A POTENTIAL WAR BETWEEN SIBLINGS.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines: No!

Janine Mendes-Franco — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:54:55 +0000

The people have voted no to the proposed new constitution in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Abeni and Repeating Islands report.

Algeria: An Open Letter to Egyptians

Amira Al Hussaini — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:35:52 +0000

From a football match for a place in the South Africa World Cup in 2010 to a full fledged face off and diplomatic stand off, Egyptians and Algerians continue to score points against each other on the ground - off and online.

Following the loss of Egypt in the qualifying match, Algerian blogger Abdulsalam Baroudi from Bilad Talsiman writes an ‘open letter' to the people of Egypt. He writes:

أبدع المصريون هذه الأيام في”اختراع” الأوصاف القبيحة التي يطلقونها على الجزائر شعبا وحكومة ونظاما كما يقال في لغة المعارضة في العالم العربي .أبدع المصريون في الشتم والسب والقدح والتلفظ بعبارات سوقية وكلام لا سمح المقام هنا بذكره . فنانون ومطربون ومفكرون وكتاب وصحفيون ووو ساسة كبار من الحزب الوطني الحاكم أمعنوا كثيرا في إظهار الولاء لبلدهم ليس بواسطة اللعب النظيف والاعتراف بالهزيمة الكروية ثم البحث عن مصادر الخلل الكامن في الشوفينية الزائدة التي حولتهم إلى حاملين بمجد لن ينالوه ماداموا يفكرون بأسلوب كان يامكان . في المقابل لم أسمع مسئولا جزائريا واحدا سب وشتم المصريين حتى بعد التعدي على حافلة المنتخب الوطني يوم 12 نوفمبر في مطار القاهرة.

The Egyptians are becoming innovative in creating the worst descriptions for Algeria, its people, government or regime, as the opposition in the Arab world refer to it. They have become creative in swearing and cursing and slurring, using derogatory language which cannot be repeated here. Actors, singers, intellectuals, writers, journalists and high officials in the ruling National Democratic Party have gone through lengths to show their allegiance towards their country, not through playing it clean and admitting their loss in football and then looking for the sources of ill in this increased chauvinism which changed them into dreamers of a might which they will never attain as long they have a mentality of the past. In return, I have not heard one Algerian official who has cursed Egyptians even after the attack on our national team's bus on November 12 in Cairo Airport.

On the aftermath of the match, the blogger adds:

ومنذ نهاية مباراة 18 نوفمبر التي جرت في “المريخ” وانتهت بتأهل الخضر إلى مونديال 2010 والإخوة في القاهرة يشعلون دكاكين الفتنة نارا ويصبون الزيت وينفخون في الرماد إلى أن خرجت الجماهير “المصدومة” لمحاصرة سفارة الجزائر والمطالبة بدم السفير الأستاذ عبد القادر حجار هذا الرجل الفاضل، العربي الأصيل، الذي كان يتلقى ومنذ أن ظهر على الساحة السياسية في الجزائر الضربات القاتلة بسبب دفاعه المستميت عن المشرق العربي ومصر وعلاقة الجزائر بالدول العربية وهو الذي تصفه بعض الأوساط الإعلامية بالبعثي المتطرف.

Since the end of the match on November 18, the match that was held in Mars, which ended with Algeria qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and our brothers in Egypt are continuing to fan the flames of sedition. They poured oil and blew on the ashes until the 'shocked' fans surrounded the Algerian Embassy and called for the blood of the Ambassador Mr Abdulqader Hajjar, that nobel man, and pure Arab, who has been receiving deadly blows since his emergence on the political scene because of his undying support for the Arab East, and Egypt, and the relationship between Algeria and Arab countries. He has also been described as the extremist Baathist in media circles.

Mr Baroudi continues his letter noting:

لجماهير المؤدبة في القاهرة وأولاد الناس المتسامحين المتعلمين حرقوا العلم الجزائري أمام السفارة الجزائرية في القاهرة . الجماهير المؤدبة الراقية والمتعلمة المتحضرة حاولت التسلل لإقامة السفير حجار و لحرقها …كل هذا و”بندير” المداح “شوبير” والغندور ومصطفى عبده وغيرهم من مزامير الفتنة في مصر شغالة على مدار الساعة من أجل المزيد من التجريح والتهجم والتطاول على بلد عربي وشعب مسلم وصلت حد وصف السيد الفاضل محمد روراوة باليهودي .

The well behaved spectators and the sons of the educated and tolerant people burned the Algerian flag in front of the Algerian Embassy in Cairo. Those civilised and educated fans tried to break into the residence of Ambassador Hajjar and burn it down. All this was happening while the voices of sedition on Egypt were continuing round the clock, hoping for more hurtful attacks against an Arab country and its Muslim people to the extent that Mr Moahmmed Rawarah was described as a Jew.

He then asks:

ما هذا .. أم الدنيا.. ؟؟؟ أم الدنيا التي تسمح بتزوير الشهادات وفبركة قصص الاعتداء وتحرض شعبها على بلد عربي وتثير الأحقاد والضغائن بين 120 مليون عربي ؟؟؟ ..

What is this? The Mother of the World? And does the the Mother of the World allow the forging of testimonials and the fabrication of stories of attacks - and inciting its people on an Arab country as well as stirring hatred and envy among 120 million Arabs???

On Algerian-Egyptian relations, he writes:

قبل شهر فقط قطع الرئيس عبد العزيز بوتفليقة كل علاقاته بصديقه وابن بلدته وزير الخارجية السابق محمد بجاوي بسبب مصر …بسبب مرشح مصر في اليونيسكو وزير الثقافة الحالي وليته يتكلم ويقول للشعب المصري كيف تبرأت الجزائر من وزير خارجيتها السابق محمد بجاوي الذي حاول الترشح ضد حسني واضطر تحت الضغط إلى الانسحاب بتدخل أعلى مؤسسات الدولة الجزائرية و تحصرت الجزائر لخسارة حسني لأنها كانت خسارة عربية وليست مصرية…

About a month ago president Abdelaziz Bouteflika cut off all his relations with his friend, compatriot and former Foreign Minister Mohammed Bajawi because of Egypt, because of the Egyptian candidate for the Unesco post, the current Culture Minister. Why should he talk and tell the Egyptian people how Algeria abandoned its former Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammed Bajawi because he tried to run against Hosni. He withdrew his candidacy after top Algerian international organisations exerted pressure on him. Algeria was anguished by the defeat of Hosni because it was an Arab loss and not just an Egyptian loss.

Baroudi tries to dispel accusations against his country saying:

أما حكاية الرهائن المصريين في الجزائر فأريد أن أسأل: هل يعقل أن ترهن الجزائر آلاف المصريين وتلتزم الحكومة المصرية الصمت كل هذا الصمت على أبنائها؟ اسألوا هل يعقل أن تعتقل دولة 15 ألف مواطن من رعايا بلد آخر؟ لقد اطلعت على بعض الحالات لمصريين يعملون في الجزائر ووجدت أن الشرطة قامت بوضع المصريين من العمال في اقامات محمية بشكل عالي من طرف رجال أمن مع توفير كل ما يحتاجونه من ضروريات وكماليات. فلماذا هذا التهويل بحق المصريين أنفسهم وبث الرعب لدى أهلهم في مصر وعائلاتهم في كل محافظة مصرية؟؟

As for the Egyptians being held ransom in Algeria, I would like to ask: Is it possible to believe that Algeria can hold up thousands of Egyptians and the Egyptian government would continue to remain this silence over the fate of its citizens? Ask if it is possible for one country to detain 15,000 citizens of another country? I asked about the conditions of some Egyptians living in Algeria and found that the Egyptians were placed in “reservations” with high security and were being provided with all their needs and essentials. So why are they exaggerating the situation and horrifying their families across Egypt?

The blogger also discusses the role of video spread across websites showing young Algerian men wielding knives. He explains:

حكاية أخرى أشبه بالمسلسلات السابعة المصرية وتخص فيديو اليوتيب لمشجعين جزائريين قدموا الخرطوم وبيدهم السكاكين ، وجدت هذا الفيديو وقد انتشر في المئات من المواقع الكترونية وهو بكل بساطة تصوير لتجمع شباني خلال فترة العدوان الإسرائيلي على غزة من الفترة الرابطة ما بين نهاية شهر ديسمبر 2008 ومطلع شهر جانفي 2009 كما أن الفيديو ظهر على موقع اليوتيب قبل مباراة الخرطوم وظهر أن صاحبه الذي استخدمه للفتنة والإثارة من خلال ما كان موضحا من تحذير كتب عليه ، صاحب الفيديو قام يوم الجمعة 20 نوفمبر 2009 بحذفه من الموقع ويكفي القيام بعملية بحث بسيطة لمعرفة ذلك وهذا بعدما أكتشف العالم أن الفيديو هو فضيحة تدين مروجي الفتنة والأكاذيب ضد الجزائر وشبابها وشعبها.

Another story which looks like a scene from an Egyptian soap opera concerns a YouTube video which shows Algerian spectators in Khartoum with knives in their hands. I found that this video had spread in hundreds of website is simply football of a youth gathering during the Israeli aggression on Gaza shot in the period between the end of December 2008 and January 2009. This video resurfaced on YouTube before the match in Khartoum and its owner used it to spread sedition through the warnings/threats which it contained. On November 20, 2009, its owner deleted it from the site. It is enough to know that after a simple search and the world has realised that this video is a scandal which implicates those who want to spread sedition and lies against Algeria and its citizens and youth.

In conclusion, Baroudi writes:

في الأخير أريد أن أضيف كلمة واحدة فقط … أعرف الكثير ممن سافروا للسودان ..طلبة من جامعات تلمسان وهران سيدي بلعباس وغيرهم صيادلة وأطباء و مسؤولي مصالح إدارية وتجار ورجال أعمال وأساتذة ومعلمين “خاصة وأن قطاع التربية في إضراب” لكنني لم أعرف صاحب سوابق واحد سافر للخرطوم وبالمناسبة أدعوا أتمنى من كل الزملاء التعريف بالذين سافروا للسودان وإجراء المقابلات الصحفية معهم وتقديمهم للعالم لأن الجزائريين في النهاية لم يحملوا لا سكاكين ولا سيوف ولم يجدوا لا نعاج ولا كباش… فمتى يتوقف هذا العبث يا أهل مصر ومتى يتكلم أخياركم يا أهل مصر ..

At the end, I would like to add one word only… I know a lot of those who travelled to Sudan.. students from the universities of Talsiman, Wahran, Sidi Belabbas and others. They also included pharmacists, doctors, officials, merchants, businessmen, professors and teachers - especially since the education sector is holding a strike. However, I don't know anyone with a bad record who has travelled to Khartoum and I would like to call upon everyone to identify those who went to Sudan and conduct interview with them and introduce them to the rest of the world. This is because the Algerians did not carry knives or swords and did not find any goats or sheep. When will the people of Egypt stop this fallacy and when will the good Egyptians speak up.

Egypt: Where are the Algerian Intellectuals?

Amira Al Hussaini — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:04:05 +0000

Egyptian blog Justice for All [Ar] asks: “Where are the intellectuals in Algeria when the nation wakes up..on curses? This is another reading to the question: Why do they hate us?”

Egypt: Egyptian Politics, Arab Nationalism and Football

Amira Al Hussaini — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:51:22 +0000

What is the relationship between Egyptian politics, Arab nationalism and a football match? Egyptian Dalia Ziada sheds her thoughts on all those issues in this post.

Bangladesh, India, Pakistan: One State Solution Week 2009

Rezwan — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:29:51 +0000

The One State Solution Blog invites bloggers to express their opinions to redress the problems the Partition of India has created: “it did not achieve the goals or resolve the problems that the two-nation theory promised us as a subcontinent.” If you are blogging on this issue then tag your post with ossw’09.

Trinidad & Tobago: Waste of Time?

Janine Mendes-Franco — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:51:50 +0000

“Most citizens still think CHOGM is a few-hundred-million dollar joke and will not benefit citizens in any way”: Trinidad and Tobago's This Beach Called Life weighs in on the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Bermuda, St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Here Comes The Queen

Janine Mendes-Franco — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:47:06 +0000

Shawn and Sue and Repeating Islands blog about the Queen of England's visit to Bermuda.

UAE bans Talk Show On Request From Pakistan

Rezwan — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:28:57 +0000

Teeth Maestro informs that on request from Pakistan UAE has imposed a ban on the airing of Geo TV program ‘Meray Mutabiq’ by Dr. Shahid Masood. The blogger comments: “I’m sure he may have been touching on some sensitive topics which more-or-less will most likely have to do with the NRO and Mr. Asif Ali Zardari being the top celebrity featured on that dis-honest list.”

Egypt: President Mubarak and the Egyptian Dignity

Marwa Rakha — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:55:09 +0000

In the aftermath of the Egypt-Algeria match in Sudan, Egyptian football fans demonstrated in Zamalek in front of the Algerian embassy in Cairo on Thursday night and on Friday afternoon. The President's eldest son, Alaa Mubarak, instigated the riots live on national TV. On the morning of Saturday November 21, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak gave a speech in a joint session of the parliament's two house (People’s Assembly and Shura Council) where, without directly mentioning Algeria, he said that the dignity of Egyptians is part of the dignity of Egypt and vowed that Egypt will not tolerate those who insult its citizens.

Mubarak's Speech

Sarah Carr is skeptical about Mubarak's speech:

Mubarak: “The welfare of our citizens abroad is the responsibility of the country. We look after their rights and reject violations and transgressions against them.” - and he continued saying and they are violated under our auspices inside Egypt!

Jasmine Aladdin is keeping her fingers crossed

I really wish Mr. President that this is not just cheap talk to let some steam out. I also hope that Egyptians stop giving Egypt a bad name abroad by allowing others to step all over their pride in the name of making a living! What have we got left other than our dignity?

Sharif Hafez is a political analyst who admires the President's wisdom when he asked Parliament Members to keep their calm and not act on impulse

This is a true lesson in politics for everyone; politics is not about speaking your mind on impulse, it's rather the ability to stay in control and walk your talk - we do not need more defeats!

Perwin Ali is not happy with BBC News headlines!

Dr. As`ad AbuKhalil - The Angry Arab is angry at lawmakers in Egypt for “applauding”

What is the job of Egyptian lawmakers except to applaud the comments of the president. Some of the lawmakers were friends of my father, and they applauded for Nasser, and then applauded for Sadat, and then applauded for Mubarak. Do you know that the Mustafa Khalil, who led Egypt's peace with Israel process was a staunch Nasserist, under Nasser?

And Zeinobia wonders about Egyptian's dignity inside Egypt

Mubarak said in his speech in front of the people’s assembly and the Shura Council that the Egyptian citizens abroad are the responsibility of the state and that the dignity of Egyptians is from the dignity of Egypt !!

I do not know what to say except that Mr. President none of this could have happen if we are enjoying our dignity as Egyptian citizens inside Egypt in the first place !!?? Please tell these words to the victims of police brutality , please them again to thousands of Egyptians abroad who haven been humiliated enough around the globe because of your economic policies for 28 years. Mr. President please these words to the families who lost their members on the borders with Israel , on the board of flight 990 , on the board of Al Salam ferry and on the board of Badr I.