Condi/Cheney Achieve Partial Victory at Mideast Summit

Mainstream Media Rule of Thumb -- In stories about the administration, always accentuate the negative.

AP reports:

MANAMA, Bahrain - A U.S.-backed Mideast democracy and development summit ended in rancor Saturday despite adoption of two initiatives that are part President Bush's push to expand political freedom in a region dominated by monarchies and effective single-party rule.

A draft declaration on democratic and economic principles was scuttled after Egypt insisted on language that would have given Arab governments greater control over charitable and good-government organizations.

Read it here.

Despite the negative tone of the piece, one that is evident in all MSM reports, the conference was not without positive results. The article notes:

Participants in the Forum for the Future session announced a $100 million fund to promote economic enterprise in a region where populations are growing and unemployment is often high for young men. The fund includes $50 million from the United States, with contributions from Egypt, Morocco and Denmark.
...
The conference also launched a $50 million foundation aimed at promoting democracy and political reform in the Middle East. Both initiatives were shepherded by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Liz Cheney, the vice president's daughter...

Liz Cheney! I had wondered what had become of her since the election.

Granted this is pretty small beer, but it is a step in the right direction and the negative tone of the overall coverage is certainly not warranted. The Egyptian objection to allowing NGO's to operate in their country without even registering with the government is valid and unremarkable, but that is what the MSM chose to emphasize, rather than the small victories.

Sigh!

Gateway Pundit is all over this story, making much the same point as do I, but he goes where the MSM dares not tread and puts the conference within the context of democratic change throughout the Middle East. He writes:

This was the second year that representatives from Middle Eastern countries met to build commitment to democracy in the historically troubled region. Since the countries first met last year there have been tremendous moves towards democracy and human rights in the region, including:

* Successful elections twice in Iraq
* Successful elections twice in Afghanistan
* Violence free (for the most part) change of government in Lebanon
* Democratic Elections in Palestine
* Pardons for jailed democracy reformists in Saudi Arabia
* Women rights guarantees in Kuwait
* Movement in Egypt towards reform
* Reform in Libya
* Historic talks between Israel and Pakistan
* Israel pullout from Gaza
* Massive Protests against Al Qaida in Morocco
* Protests against Al Qaida in Jordan

Surely, there is work to be done, but...
has the Mideast ever had a year like this past one?

Indeed!

Read it here.

UPDATE:

Condi has extended her stay in the region because there is a possibility that there might be a breakthrough on the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

LA Times reports:

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Under intense lobbying from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Israel and the Palestinians edged toward an agreement today on opening a border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

The crossing, at Rafah, along Gaza's southern border, has been viewed by Palestinian leaders as an essential gateway for ordinary Gazans, and a potentially critical portal for trade.

Read it here.

Go Condi..., go Condi..., go Condi..., go Condi!!!

She did it.