Videos - Middle East Conundrum
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Video Text: President Kennedy:
This program today is the first public event hosted by UMaine's new
School of Policy and International Affairs. We're all at the university
very excited about the new school, and it's received a lot of interest
wherever we've talked about it, in the state and across the country. And
we're convinced that it will provide a foundation upon which we can
build a new strength in international affairs and policy studies, and I
think today's event really signifies that so very well.
Bahman Baktiari: Middle East is an issue that we will never have a
complete answer to, so our goal today is to talk about two of the most
remaining and constant conflicts in the region-- Arab/Israeli
conflict--which will be addressed by Ambassador Phil Wilcox, and
security in the Persian Gulf, which is the other part of the Middle East
conflict that will be addressed by Ambassador Wahba.
Ambassador Marcelle Wahba: As we look at the Gulf region, I think it's
fair to say that no other group or cluster of countries in the world
have as much influence in terms of their wealth--oil and gas--but also
just their impact on the global economy.
It's important to remember that throughout this region, I would say
anywhere between 30-50% of the population is under the age 30. In Iran,
it's quite astounding--52% of Iran's population are under 30, and this
group has the highest unemployment. A very volatile situation in terms
of unrest and political disaffection.
Ambassador Philip Wilcox: Americans, being part of a Judeo-Christian
society--we don't use that term as much as we used to because our
society's becoming increasingly diverse--we saw this conflict because
our deep attachment to the Bible, our emotional attachment to the Holy
Lands. We understood the drama of Jewish history, the tragedy of the
Jewish people, and we identified with them. We had no knowledge of the
Arab world or the Muslim world or the Palestinian people. We did not
recognize that there was another tragedy here, and another people who
deserved of our empathy.
Public opinion polls repeatedly, on both sides, showed that the
majorities on both societies still believed the way out was two states,
the evacuation of most of the settlements, even the division of
Jerusalem. Those are from polls on both sides. On the other hand, the
polls also showed that neither side believed this was remotely possible.
In this situation, only the United States can play this decisive role.
Only the United States can lead, can offer hope. It is no longer
possible, in my view, for the Israelis and the Palestinians to work it
out themselves.
The festering Israeli/Palestinian conflict is a main cause of Arab and
Muslim grievances, and indeed, often hatred of the United States of
America. And unless we can step up to the plate, grasp this nettle, deal
with it fairly and decisively, we will not be able to regain credibility
and respect in this part of the world where we desperately need it.
