The West: Bastion of hope of the tyrants

I was glued to the Al-Jazeera live telecast from Tahrir Square (Liberation Square) in Cairo, Egypt -- we do not have such a place -- our democratic governments have practically made it impossible for people to assemble in any of the open spaces like those at Paltan and Manik Mia Avenue. I couldn't stop watching and following the events unfold in Tunisia. Many others did the same with the hope that these events turn the fortunes of those nations and their teeming millions. But it all depends on the whims of big powers. The bastion of hope of all these tyrants are these powerful nations that talk of democracy, justice and human rights and, at the same time, help the dictators perpetuate their tyranny. The media and the people of the West often clamour for restoring democracy, justice and what not in the hapless countries. But the reality is and in the last few weeks it has become as clear as daylight, that their governments want these dictators to continue by any means. Berlusconi, Obama, Cameroon and Sarkozy came out with their eloquence that only provided Hosni Mubarak to hang on to power even further. Strange enough, the bloggers in the West who used to write against the subjugation of the Arabs have been mum during the period of great turmoil. The disgruntled Arabs in their peaceful yet very determined protests find no sympathy from the so-called citadel of democracy and human rights champions. Mubarak's wealth is said to be in the Swiss and British banks. The OFAC (Office of Foreign Asset Control) only filters money of hostile people or organisations, but not big money launderers like Mubarak. His US$70 billions or so find safe haven in their fortified bank accounts. A Swiss bank has frozen Mubarak's account, perhaps, to gobble it up, certainly not to return to the people to whom the money belongs. The Swiss people voted against the construction of Mosque minarets in Switzerland; can they now come out to vote to send back all the Muslim dictators money in their banks? That is a day-dream for any poor Muslim from this part of the world whose wealth is stolen and stashed in their banks. People not only protested peacefully on the street for weeks to bring dignity and honour to them, but also showed wonderful unity and fraternity; they prayed five times a day, while on the street, women protestors wore hijab, and challenged the so-called secularists, communists, fanatics or radical jihadists. An amazing strength to fight, never before in the history of people's uprising, was observed, as they gave lives but still remained non-violent. The West will make every effort to sabotage the achievements of the Arabs. But the oppressed youth in the Arab streets have learnt that for the sake of democracy, they have to look for, and rely only on, their own strength. The West will not be of any help; rather, contrary to that, they may try to reinstate another puppet government to serve their interests. Ominous signs are there.