October 1992, Page 62

Arab-American Activism

By Catherine M. Willford

ADC Condemns Bias at CBS

Following several demonstrations organized by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) at the Columbia Broadcasting System Washington, DC offices, representatives of ADC, Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) and African-American and Jewish-American groups held an August 20 press conference at the National Press Club to protest remarks by CBS boardmember and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, CBS News anchorman Dan Rather, and CBS Middle East consultant Fouad Ajami.

The remarks were made in New York June 3 at a panel discussion sponsored by the Jerusalem Foundation to raise funds for the absorption of Jewish immigrants into Jerusalem. During the discussion moderated by Rather, Kissinger told the audience that "You can't really believe anything an Arab says." Neither Rather nor anyone else on the program objected.

Fouad Ajami, whose views are anathema to some fellow Arab Americans, is a Shi'i Arab from Lebanon. He reportedly told the Jewish audience repeatedly that Arabs are not capable of practicing democracy. Later, describing a visit to a Bedouin camp, he told the panel: "I insisted on only one thing, that I be spared the ceremony of eating with a Bedouin."

CBS anchor Rather opened the discussion by saying that "Many of us celebrate 25 years after the city [Jerusalem] was united under Israeli rule," and warned that Israeli control of the city was at risk from an Arab "population explosion."

At the Washington, DC press conference, ADC President Albert Mokhiber described the appearance of top CBS personnel at the fund-raiser as a "partisan act which raises questions about the impartiality and balance of the CBS Network in news coverage of the Arab-Israeli conflict." In an August 6 letter to CBS President Eric Ober demanding a public apology from Rather, Kissinger and Ajami, Mokhiber noted that "If the word 'Arab' or 'Bedouin' were replaced with 'Jew,' 'Black' or 'Hispanic,' such statements would have been condemned, and rightfully so."

Mokhiber read an excerpt from a CBS statement of personnel policy which stated: "Employees in their private capacity who take a public position on a controversial issue. . . will either be removed from handling the news involving that issue. . . or be required to take a leave of absence." The ADC president then noted that in two previous cases of anti-Black and anti-gay statements allegedly made by CBS employees, Jimmy the Greek was fired and Andy Rooney was disciplined by CBS.

"CBS seems to have a rather odd double standard in which their jesters are held to a higher standard than their journalists," said FAIR's Sam Husseini, who alerted ADC to the Jerusalem Foundation remarks.

While representatives of ADC have met with CBS Washington bureau officials, and CBS President Eric Ober has privately distanced himself from the controversial remarks, neither CBS nor the CBS participants in the Jerusalem Foundation fund-raiser have offered explanations or apologies.

Arab Americans, Muslims at Republican Convention

Thirty Arab-American delegates, representing 15 states and the District of Columbia, participated in the Republican National Convention in Houston. Delegates included former South Dakota Senator James Abdnor, Dearborn, MI City Councilwoman Suzanne Sareini and Republican National Congressional Committee Co-Chairman E. Spencer Abraham.

Arab American Institute (AAI) President James Zogby said this year's Republican delegation is further evidence that Arab Americans have learned how to operate within the mainstream of both parties and have become a respected ethnic constituency. "Not only are Arab Americans participating in campaigns, but they are established on key presidential campaign committees and within the party's structure," Zogby said.

A convention reception co-sponsored by AAI and the U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce was held on August 18 at the Westin Galleria Hotel. Guests included convention delegates, public officials, party leaders, Arab diplomats and corporate members of the U.S.-Arab Chamber.

Six American Muslim organizations hosted a convention hospitality suite at the Sheraton Grand at Galleria Hotel. Participating groups included the American Muslim Council, the Islamic Circle of North America, the Islamic Society of North America, the American Muslims and Friends Republican Club, the National Council of Islamic Affairs, and the United Muslims of America.

Palestine Aid Society Convention

The Palestine Aid Society (PAS) will hold its Seventh Annual Convention Oct. 2-4 at the Livonia West Holiday Inn in Detroit, MI. The event will feature a reception honoring Samiha Khalil of Inash Al-Usra, the well-known West Bank family aid society.

Scheduled speakers include Dr. Edward Said of Columbia University, Los Angeles Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Issam Abdelhadi of the Palestine National Council. Members of a recent PAS human rights delegation to the occupied territories will be on hand to discuss their findings. For information, contact PAS at 2025 Eye Street NW, Suite 1020, Washington, DC 20006 or call (202) 728-9425.

Catherine M. Willford is the circulation director of the Washington Report.

 

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