ADC IN THE NEWS REGARDING THE EMBASSY BOMBINGS & U.S. ATTACKS ON SUDAN & AFGHANISTAN
ADC representatives, activists and members were quoted extensively in the
media immediately following the embassy bombings in Tanzania and Kenya and the U.S. attacks on Sudan and Afghanistan.
Below are a few samples of the numerous media appearances, excluding a
dozen interviews with national and local radio stations.
**THE NEW YORK TIMES**
“America Runs Out of Patience for Building Concensus Against Its Enemies,”
by Steven Erlanger, The New York Times, 8/23/98. This article was also
distributed by the New York Times Service and reprinted in The International
Herald Tribune (8/24/98).
The article quoted ADC President Hala Maksoud as saying that the strikes
“reinforce the impression that the U.S. is trigger-happy when it comes to the Arab world… The impression is that the United States preempted the results of its investigation, did not give Afghanistan a chance to hand over bin Laden, did not go to the Security Council or show evidence or rally world opinion or consult its allies, but just is going it alone and undermining the international community and its will.”
**THE WASHINGTON POST**
“Terrorism Contrary to Islam, U.S. Stresses,” by Thomas W. Lippman, The
Washington Post, 8/22/98.
Excerpt:
“Throughout his presidency, Clinton has tried to convince the world’s 1 billion Muslims that U.S. policy is not hostile to their faith… This has been a hard sell with Muslims who see the United States locked into a longstanding pattern of hostility and conflict with Islamic nations and groups — including Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya — and as more willing to use force against Muslims than against other foes.
‘I think the Muslim world is prepared to believe [that Clinton] is not doing
it as an anti-Muslim gesture; he tries to preempt that kind of reaction,’ said Hala Maksoud, president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. ‘But the United States is trigger-happy when it comes to Muslim
lives. It seems that, somehow, launching attacks on Muslim countries is done
with more ease than anywhere else.'”
**THE WASHINGTON TIMES**
“American Muslims Respond to Terrorism; U.S. Officials Help to Limit Backlash,” by Larry Witham, The Washington Times, 8/11/98.
Excerpt:
“Muslim leaders credited U.S. officials, who have not named any suspects in
the Friday bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, with not
carelessly implicating Muslims. While some media outlets have speculated
about who was responsible, they have been more responsible than in the past
by reporting Muslim concerns about stereotypes and avoiding headlines that
cite the Islamic religion.
‘We have sensitized the media,’ said Hala Maksoud, president of the
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. ‘The press is getting more
responsible.’
If Islamic groups end up being suspects in the African terror, which killed 12 Americans, it must be taken as insane actions by individuals, she said. ‘An act by a Muslim should not reflect on all Muslims. Like all communities, we have crazies.'”
**THE BOSTON GLOBE**
“Saudi Exile Vows ‘War’ on U.S; Missiles to Be Answered ‘With Deeds, Not Words,’ Says Bin Laden Associate; U.S. Strikes Back/Reaction and Fallout,”
by Colum Lynch and Adam Pertman, The Boston Globe (8/22/98)
Excerpt:
“President Clinton, in a televised address after the mission, stressed his
belief that the majority of Muslims condemn terrorism and his understanding
that Islam forbids violence against innocent people. His words did little to
alter the conviction among many Muslims, as well as Arabs, that the United
States exercises a ‘double standard’ in dealing with them.
‘I think there remains a general impression in the Muslim and Arab world
that the U.S. is trigger-happy… when it concerns Arabs and Muslims,’ said
Hala Maksoud, president of the Washington-based American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. Even if the evidence eventually shows that military action was warranted in this case, she added, ‘America nevertheless rushed to judgment… in a way that indicates it feels Arab and Muslim lives are dispensable.’
**NEWSDAY**
“U.S. Strikes Back; Arabs in City Critical of Strike,” by Mohamad Bazzi and
Olivia Winslow, Newsday, 8/21/98.
Excerpt:
“Arab and Muslim leaders in the metropolitan area and across the country
lashed out yesterday at the missile strikes ordered by President Bill Clinton, questioning the justification and timing of the attacks on targets in Afghanistan and Sudan…
‘None of us is really satisfied that the original pronouncement blaming Osama bin Laden has been confirmed,’ said Hala Maksoud, president of the
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in Washington, D.C. ‘It seems
like the U.S. wanted a quick target.’…
Maksoud said she was suspicious the strikes were an attempt to divert the
country’s attention from Clinton’s political troubles. ‘This is how I think it will play in the rest of the world unless much more information is shared with the American people,’ she said.
She was also concerned that the military action might create a climate of hatred against Arab and Muslim Americans and spark an increase in bias crimes. ‘We’re concerned every time when there is such an incident,’ Maksoud
said. ‘Our community braces itself for repercussions… Individual guilty
translates into collective punishment in our case.'”
**INTERPRESS NEWS SERVICE**
“U.S. Missiles Hit Targets in Afghanistan and Sudan,” 8/20/98
Excerpt:
“Hala Maksoud, president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in Washington, deemed the strikes ‘rash.’
‘I don’t think we’re satisfied that there is enough information leading to a final decision that bin Laden was involved (in the Aug. 7 bombings),’ said Hala Maksoud. ‘It was rush judgement.’ Maksoud added that she was ‘not sure the targets were properly chosen’ and that the way in which the target in
Sudan in particular was described by U.S. Secretary for Defense William
Cohen, left much room for doubt.”