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Bush Issues Arab To-Do List

Improve economies, women's rights, democracy to make peace possible

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted May 18, 2008 1:06 PM CDT

(Newser) – President Bush addressed Arab leaders at the World Economic Forum today, urging them to make the changes necessary to achieve peace in the region. Citing improving women's rights, strengthening their economies, and bolstering democracy as the major goals, Bush reprised some of the same language from his speech last week in Israel, the New York Times reports.

“Too often in the Middle East, politics has consisted of one leader in power and the opposition in jail," Bush said. "The time has come for nations across the Middle East to abandon these practices, and treat their people with the dignity and respect they deserve.” Bush may make another trip to the region before his term ends.

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On Sunday, the Arab world got a stern lecture from President Bush, on the need to spread freedoms and isolate state sponsors of terror that he said are holding the region back. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Egyptian First Lady Suzanne Mubarak, left, and U.S. First Lady Laura Bush, right, walk after her speech at the World Economic Forum in Sharm el Sheik, Egypt, Sunday, May 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

President George W. Bush is among 12 heads of state and government welcomed by President Mubarak at the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

U.S. President George W. Bush delivers remarks during the World Economic Forum on the Middle East, Sunday, May 18, 2008, in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

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Speaking at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East in Egypt, President Bush urged Arab leaders to promote democracy and isolate state sponsors of terror. (AssociatedPress)

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Bush Issues Arab To-Do List