G-8 summit launches Middle East, North Africa reform initiative

The G-8 summit on Wednesday formally launched a social and economic reform initiative in the Middle East and North Africa, stressing that the push for reform will go "hand in hand" with the effort to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"Our support for reform in the region will go hand in hand withour support for a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict," leaders from the Group of Eight said in a joint statement.

The leaders are having a three-day meeting on Sea Island, Georgia, discussing on a wide range of issues such as Iraq, anti-terrorism, global economy and poverty relief in Africa.

The "Partnership for Progress and a Common Future" program, or Broader Middle East Plan as initially known, is one of the key issues the United States has pushed for approval at this summit.

US President George W. Bush's effort to promote his Middle East reform initiative around the world has met wide skepticism and criticism. Most Arab countries say they do not want reforms imposed by the outside world and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be resolved before any reform initiative could be implemented.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia turned down Bush's invitation to the summit. Leaders from Afghanistan, Bahrain, Jordan, Turkey and some other countries participated in the summit and expressed support for the program.

Before the final adoption of the initiative, French President Jacques Chirac warned that excessive interference in the greater Middle East region could lead to a "clash of civilizations."

"We must stand ready to help. But we must also take care not to provoke," Chirac said in remarks at a summit lunch. "For democracyto take root solidly and durably in the Arab world, it must be an Arab democracy before all else." The initiative has gone through several revisions since a draft of version emerged in February and angered Arab nations.

"Successful reform depends on the countries in the region, and change should not and cannot be imposed from outside," the joint statement said. "Each country is unique and their diversity shouldbe respected. Our engagement must respond to local conditions and be based on local ownership. "

The statement also expressed the leaders' support for the fully sovereign Interim Iraqi Government and pledged support for holding elections in Iraq by the end of next January.

In accordance with the initiative, the White House said the leaders had agreed to create a "Forum for the Future" and a "Plan of Support" to foster regular discussions on reform and provide help in training and investment.

Source: Xinhua