Arabs and Muslims share a "positive view" of America's way of life and its "defense of democratic values" but obstacles to understanding remain, according to two Egyptian and Pakistani television journalists addressing Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).

Speaking at RFE/RL’s Washington office on March 27, Ms. Taghrid Hussein Youssef Mohamed of Nile TV in Egypt and Ms. Shaheen Salahuddin of Pakistan's private PTV, stated that the positive view of Americans is often overlooked, in what they called the "superficial coverage" delivered to the Arab and Muslim world by most Western news media.

West must show sensitivity
Mohamed and Salahuddin suggested American media should show more sensitivity to the psychology of the Muslim and Arab audience. Ms. Salahuddin cited anger generated in Pakistan when the U.S. military action in Afghanistan was initially named "Infinite Justice," and when President Bush's referred to the "axis of evil" and the "crusade." To Muslims and Arabs, said Ms. Salahuddin, such terms with religious overtones are not justified when used in reference to a very justifiable war on terrorism. The speakers also objected to the continued use by Western journalists to the term "Muslim terrorists," noting that similar religious labels were not applied to terrorists in other parts of the world.

Ready for democracy
Arabs and Pakistanis are "ready for democracy," according to the speakers but will need American assistance in convincing regional governments to hold elections.

Saddam Hussein hated
Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has earned the nearly universal "hatred" of both Arabs and of his own Iraqi people, according to Mohamed and Salahuddin. While most people in the region supported removing him as Iraqi leader, Ms. Mohamed stated that Egyptians opposed any action to oust Hussein which could result in civilian casualties.

Middle East conflict "biggest obstacle" 
The Arab-Israeli conflict remains the "biggest obstacle to better U.S.-Arab relations," according to the speakers, calling on the American news media to present a "more balanced view" of the issues between Israel and Palestine.

U.S. history in Afghanistan casts doubts
Ms. Salahuddin noted that the almost immediate withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan after the defeat of the Soviets in 1989 had caused many Pakistanis to doubt America's resolve to remain in the region long enough to oversee the establishment of a lasting democratic Afghan government.

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