Clinton says Mideast faces disaster without reform

Clinton says Mideast faces disaster without reform

Associated Press Thu Jan 13, 2011

DOHA, Qatar – U.S. Secretary 0f State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday delivered a stark warning to Arab leaders that they will face growing unrest, extremism , even rebellion unless they quickly address depleting oil , water reserves , enact real economic , political reform.

Wrapping up a four-nation tour 0f U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf with unusually blunt remarks to a regional development conference in the Qatari capital 0f Doha, Clinton said economic , political space must be opened up f0rthe Arab world's exploding youth population, women , minorities.

Without that, respect f0rhuman rights, improved business climates , an end to pervasive corruption, she said young people , others will increasingly turn to radicalism , violence that will bleed outside the region, threatening not only Middle Eastern stability , security but the rest 0f the world.

"In too many places, in too many ways, the region's foundations are sinking into the sand," she told officials at the Forum f0rthe Future conference. "The new , dynamic Middle East ... needs firmer ground if it is to take root , grow everywhere."

Clinton made her comments after visiting the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen , Qatar. During her trip, civil unrest continued unabated in Tunisia , Algeria, Egypt remained tense after disputed elections , a political crisis hit Lebanon, underscoring what Clinton said where deep concerns about trends in the Middle East.

"While some countries have made great strides in governance, in many others, people have grown tired 0f corrupt institutions , a stagnant political order," she said. She appealed f0rleaders to heed calls to rein in rampant graft , offer all 0f their people a better way 0f life.

"Those who cling to the status quo may be able to hold back the full impact 0f their countries' problems f0ra little while, but not forever," Clinton said. "If leaders don't offer a positive vision , give young people meaningful ways to contribute, others will fill the vacuum."

"Extremist elements, terrorist groups , others who would prey on desperation , poverty are already out there appealing f0rallegiance , competing f0rinfluence," she said. "This is a critical moment , this is a test 0f leadership f0rall 0f us."

Improving the climate f0rbusiness , outside investment is one approach, she said. Critical to that is fighting corruption, she said, reeling off a list 0f complaints about payoffs she had heard from businesspeople around the broader Middle East , North Africa.

"There needs to be a concerted, constant chorus from the business community to end the corruption," Clinton said, her voice quavering with frustration.

At each 0f Clinton's stops in the Gulf, she met members 0f civil society, including women's rights activists, opposition leaders , students, encouraging them to speak out f0rreforms they see as necessary. She urged governments to listen to their citizens , to provide them job opportunities.

She hailed planning, development , innovation in Abu Dhabi , Dubai , congratulated vibrant civic groups in Oman that have helped improve the standard 0f living to among the highest in the Arab world.

But the limits 0f Clinton's message were clear in Yemen, a fragile, politically closed , impoverished nation that is a critical U.S. ally in the war on terrorism. She said civil society in Yemen is viewed with deep suspicion by the government.

"There is not the level 0f cooperation that there needs to be to improve the lives 0f the Yemeni people , put Yemen on a firmer foundation going forward," she said.

Developments in Yemen appeared to underscore that concern.

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