Departing Egyptian Ambassador Salutes Increasing Influence of Arab Americans

Departing Egyptian Ambassador to the U.S. Ahmad Maher has hailed “the Burger King episode” as “an extraordinary manifestation of the importance of the Arab voice in the United States.” In a farewell speech delivered to some 150 guests at a Sept.1 reception in his honor at the Center for Policy Analysis on Palestine (CPAP), Maher, who is retiring after a long diplomatic career, also paid tribute to CPAP itself, the principal Palestinian-American think tank in the U.S. national capital.

“We share the goal of a real friendship between the U.S. and the Arab world, based upon justice,” Maher said. Noting that “many times the Arabs found that the reality did not match “the lofty principles upon which the U.S. was founded,” he added, “Arab Americans are becoming an important force and an important power in this capital. I think that this will grow and Dr. [Hisham] Sharabi [CPAP’s founder and chairman] has played an extremely important role in giving the Arab Americans their voice in the United States.

“When I came many people inquired why isn’t there an Arab lobby,” Ambassador Maher continued. “I think what you have achieved is an important factor in the political arena. My greatest satisfaction is to realize that Arab Americans count and that their opinions are listened to. I wish to congratulate you. I wish to congratulate every Arab American in this country for supporting justice and causes that are just.

“It seems to me that in the past Arab Americans shied away from playing a role. But no more. Arab Americans have become an important factor in the political life of the United States.”

Maher also said “the U.S.-Egyptian relationship is a mature relationship where we can agree on many things. Friendships can only be based upon equality, seriousness and candor. We agree on one thing—the necessity of the Middle East to finally find peace. We agree on the necessity of prosperity and stability of the countries of the Middle East.

“We have not always agreed on the method, but we always agree on finally finding a common denominator that we can both share. We will work together when we can and we will not work at cross-purposes when we cannot. Never during my work here did I feel that U.S. aid to Egypt was an obstacle to expressing my opinion.”

Turning to the peace process, the Egyptian envoy said, “We all believe that illegal occupation of Arab lands should come to an end and that the Palestinian people have a right to achieve their own future and their own state…We are determined to help our brothers, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, to achieve their goals.

“What we have today is a Palestinian state. It is not all that we want. But it is a foothold. The most important aspect of the 1973 war was that it enabled us to obtain a foothold on the other side of the Suez Canal. It is an important example as we proceed toward the independent Palestinian state....Now the Palestinians will get more land, will get more control of the land. It is not the end of the story. We would like to be with the Palestinians all the way as they achieve their goal, which is peace and security for all the Arabs....

“The struggle continues. The fight continues. It is a very important fight, a very important struggle. And here we are confident of an American role. We have seen in the last few years an evolution in the American position. Sometimes we don’t like that position, but there is an inherent faith in this country in justice.

“I think that our friendship with the U.S., our cooperation with the U.S. will help to achieve our goals. This is the role of every Arab American.”

In addressing questions, the Egyptian ambassador said that “it is important to reaffirm that once we sign an agreement, it has to be implemented. The idea that a change of government implies that one has to renegotiate agreements that have been signed has never been heard of before.”

Asked about Egyptian policy toward Iraq, Maher said, “We believe that the people of Iraq should not be made to suffer and that any changes in Iraq should come from within. I have never before seen legislators voting to oust foreign governments.”

Asked about Sudan, Maher said “the unity of Sudan is very important. We are trying with the Libyans to find a solution.”

Asked to comment on the role of public opinion in the Middle East, Maher said, “I think people realize more and more that public opinion is a very important component in making decisions. There are things that can be done, and things that cannot. Public opinion is the very important aspect.”

Chided about Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel, Maher said, “Egypt is not neutral and never will be and when we intervene it is to share with our Palestinian brothers our experiences to achieve what they can....The Palestinian cause is part of our personality, our history, and our legacy. Our advice is always geared to what is better for them. They can take it or leave it....”

Asked about Egyptian-Syrian relations, Maher said “basic relations between Egypt and Syria are good. We will continue to talk. We share the same goals and the same aims.”

The Egyptian envoy also was upbeat when he was asked what can be done about the spoiler role of Jewish Americans in constantly tilting the scales against the Arabs in the Middle East, “Jewish public opinion is not as solidly one-sided as in the past,” he said. “This is new and this is encouraging. There has been an evolution.” He added, however, that the reality of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute is that the “people living in the land have been deprived of the land.”

—Richard H. Curtiss