Former Malaysian Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim makes a number of valid and vital points, e.g., rejecting race- and religious-based affirmative action policies, claiming that Islam and democracy are compatible, and criticizing Muslims’ violent reactions to the Danish cartoons and the recent speech of Pope Benedict XVI.

He is off base, however, in his criticism of U.S. policy for refusing to negotiate with regimes like Hamas. The U.S. has decided, quite wisely, that our foreign policy is not to negotiate with terrorists. Title 22 of the US Code, Section 2656f requires the Department of State to provide an annual report to Congress on terrorism. The latest report, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/45323.pdf, lists 40 terrorist entries, the majority of whom are radical Islamic terrorist groups, including Hamas and Hizbollah.

Using Hamas as an example, as did Mr. Ibrahim, it is obvious that its presence on this list of terrorist organizations is no fluke. Its charter states, "Israel will exist, and will continue to exist, until Islam abolishes it, as it abolished that which was before it.” Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal declared on Feb. 3, 2006, “Before Israel dies, it must be humiliated and degraded.” These chilling words have been supported by ongoing horrific acts of terrorism against innocent Israelis for many years. When Hamas is truly interested in recognizing the legitimacy of Israel’s existence, and renouncing its terrorist rhetoric and actions, then the U.S. government will be more than willing to negotiate with it.

Seems like the relationship between the Muslim world and the western world would be much better with more leaders such as Anwar Ibrahim. At least there would be more rational dialog.
However, I believe his comments can only be made in an environment such as in the United States. He already found out how poorly his views are tolerated in Malaysia. If he is indeed willing to contront extremist elements of the Muslim world as he stated in his speech, I believe he is in for a massive struggle.

Miss Larry

If America doesn't want to negotiate with so called terrorist by America's own definition, how could you think that people want to negotiate with so called American and Israel as a real terrorist country which defined by them?

Mr. Anwar should play a more prominent role in Malaysia. Ruling party,UMNO, is a party of corrupt people out to make themselves rich while using race issues as their selling point. KEADILAN should be more aggressive in promoting its agenda before Malaysia goes bankrupt. Then, it would be like Afghanistan. The rich Chinese are already moving their investments overseas. History will repeat itself. UMNO will create chaos to make its existence relevent.

The Ruling party might be corrupt but that doesn't mean the Opposition is better. The ruling party needs some reformation.

Datuk Anwar Ibrahim, the former Deputy Prime Minister, had raised some interesting points.
He is right in stating that America should engage ina dialogue with HAMAS which won the majority of seats in the election. American democracy may not be the same as democracy in the Middle East. The fact, howeevr, remains that in the elction. Hamas obtained the majority. America should accept the fact that it won! You may not like the look of the organisation. But it is immaterial. Accept it!

Of course, Hamas had vowed to erase Israel from the map of the world! It is words only. Wait for the actions. Draw the line on the sand, if you like. America should accept Hamas as it is. But once it crosses the line and really brings destruction to Israel and her people, it is a different story and Hamas will have to pay a very heavy price for its destruction of another country. Then, America should be down the FULL FORCE of its military prowess on Hamas. Of cpurse, innocent lives will be lost in the cross-fire and amny NGOs and human righst5 activisst will cry FOUL and condemn America! Well, it is TOO late to condemn America. Has she not given notice that Hamas should not "cross the line" ?

This is a question of PRINCIPLE; it is a question of SINCERITY. If peopel start hitting belwo the belt, then they should pay the ultimate price. In the meantime, accept Hamas in good faith.

Terrorism is everywhere. But Muslims should NOT be condemned for all terrorist activities.

MO8

Anwar is a great man who needs the support of his people. for the Hamas issue, as he said, democracy is not to support America. If I don't agree with you, I'm a terrorist, right? I think itis the person who holds such mentality is the real terrorist and fanatic. Israel doesn't recognise the palestinians, that's why it occupies, so what is the point of recognising someone who does't beleive in your exsistence? Why are you occupying the land if you recognise them? Don't the palestinians have the right to elect whom they want? Must you love the person who comes to th helm? Thay's being terrorists. Democracy is not the Anglo-Saxon concept of purity, itis not sacrilege and insults. It is not slander and subjugation, itis not stealing other people's resources under the banner of freedom. Anwar, come back to politics and let's dislodge corrupt UMNO who thrive on divide and rule, duplicity and deceit. Howevere, everyone knows the Malays have every right to have some special rights, after all they have accepted others to join their nation, let's not be too niggrad and ambitious........