Reply #8: Mideast Democracy Summit Marred By Disagreement

[stevedeshazer]

Nov. 12 - A U.S.-backed summit meant to promote political freedom and economic change in the Middle East ended Saturday without agreement, a blow to President Bush's goals for the troubled region.

A draft declaration on democratic and economic principle was shelved after Egypt insisted on language that would have given Arab governments greater control over which democracy groups receive money from a new fund.

<snip>

As intended, the 36-nation session launched a $100 million venture capital fund to promote economic enterprise. The fund includes $50 million from the United States, with contributions from Egypt, Morocco and Denmark.

<snip>

Both initiatives were shepherded by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Liz Cheney, the vice president's daughter. She accompanied Rice on a Mideast trip to Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and the West Bank.

As intended, the 36-nation session launched a $100 million venture capital fund to promote economic enterprise. The fund includes $50 million from the United States, with contributions from Egypt, Morocco and Denmark.

The conference also started a $50 million foundation aimed at promoting democracy and political change in the Middle East.

Both initiatives were shepherded by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Liz Cheney, the vice president's daughter. She accompanied Rice on a Mideast trip to Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and the West Bank.

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=nation_world&id=3627246
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Another Cheney U.S. foreign policy failure.