During a meeting at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo yesterday [22/06], information ministers from various Arab states discussed a number of media-related issues. At the top of their agenda was the resolution by the US House of Representatives which describes a number of Arab satellite channels as “terrorist” organisations.
Sources at the Arab League have revealed to Quds Press that following a consultation with the Council of Arab Ambassadors, the information ministers will be discussing a memorandum by the Arab League’s mission in Washington on the dimensions of this subject and ways of tackling it. The focus will be on conveying to the US the necessity for Arab states to be allowed to address the information issue in accordance with their national legislation and without US interference.
According to the source, the mission observed that it would be better for Arab states to communicate primarily with the US administration rather than with Congress to prevent any escalation in the situation. Escalation, which could lead to sanctions, would be counterproductive to the new approach toward the Arab and Muslim world initiated by Obama based on mutual respect and common interests. Particularly given that this US stance is tantamount to US interference in the domestic affairs of the states concerned which should be addressed using their own means.