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[Scrapbook of Articles Related to First Lady’s Remarks on Islam and the West] [photo album]
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[Scrapbook of Articles Related to First Lady’s Remarks on Islam and the West] [photo album]
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PRESS RELEASE
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton
Videotaped Remarks for Cultural
Symposium at Janadriah Festival
I am very pleased to have this opportunity to address the 1996 Janadriah cultural festival,
and to contribute in some small way to a discussion as important as "Islam and the West."
Here in the United States, Americans are beginning to learn more about the rich traditions
of Islamic history and culture and to appreciate the contributions of Islamic people to our own
culture.
I, myself, have become an eager student of Islam in recent years, thanks in part to my
daughter, who took a course on Islamic history in high school. As a result of her studies, she
proved to be an invaluable tour guide to me when we traveled to South Asia together last year.
I also had the opportunity last month to host the first-ever White House celebration of the
Eid Al-Fitr holiday. As I shared in this historic celebration of joy, love and family life, I thought
of how Western society too often mischaracterizes Islam and those who adhere to its teachings.
We have allowed a tiny minority to define an ugly stereotype. The reality is that the vast
majority of the estimated 4 million Muslims in the United States are loyal citizens whose daily
lives revolve around work, family and community.
As Americans, we are proud of our history as an open, pluralist society that respects all
religions, including Islam. During last month's Eid celebration I met a young Muslim American
girl who spoke to the group, saying, "only in America, people from different parts of the world
can come together and become one community. I am proud to be an American. And I am proud
to be an American Muslim." In the past, children of other faiths have had the opportunity to
observe their major holidays at the White House. Now Muslim children also know that their
religion has a place in their President's house.
These opportunities to share in Muslim life have enriched my own experience, and I am
hopeful that Islamic countries and the West will continue to expand their dialogue so that we can
learn to appreciate the many values and aspirations we share as people and nations. Thank you
for your part in enriching this dialogue. I wish the festival and its distinguished participants the
best of success.
Thank you very much.
Released by U.S. Information Service, U.S. Embassy - P O. Box 94310 Riyadh 11693, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - - Tel. 488 3800
Riyadh Daily
Islam has
March 12, 1996
Front Page
a place in
US history,
says Hillary
By ABDULAZIZ AL-NOFAL
Riyadh Daily Staff
RIYADH - American First Lady
Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke to the
participants and audience of the cultu-
ral symposium, "Islam and the West,"
at the 11th National Festival for Heri-
tage and Culture being held currently
in Riyadh. Her address, which was
videotaped and then rebroadcast to
the King Faisal Auditorium at the Ri-
yadh Intercontinental Hotel, came
during the session on Islam and the
West and its Historical Roots.
Mrs. Clinton spoke about how her
daughter, Chelsea, had turned her into
"an eager student of Islam." Here is her
address:
"I am very pleased to have this oppor-
tunity to address the 1996 Janadriya cul-
tural festival, and to contribute in some
small way to a discussion as important
as 'Islam and the West."
"Here in the United States, Americans
are beginning to learn more about the
rich traditions of Islamic history and cul-
ture and to appreciate the contributions
of Islamic people to our culture.
"I, myself, have become an eager stu-
dent of Islam in recent years, thanks in
part to my daughter, who took a course
on Islamic history in high school.
"I also had the opportunity last month
to host the first-ever White House cele-
bration of the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. As I
shared in this historic celebration of joy.
love and family life, 1 thought of how
Western society too often mischaracter-
izes Islam and those who adhere to its
teachings.
"As Americans. we are proud of our
history as an open, pluralist society that
respects all religions, including Islam.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
Arab News
March 12, 1996
Front page
Hillary calls for
more dialogue
with Muslims
RIYADH, March. 11 - U.S. First Lady
Hillary Rodham Clinton today hoped that
Muslim countries and the West will con-
tinue to expand their dialogue so that "we
can learn to appreciate the many values and
aspirations we share as people and nations."
(See also Page 2)
In a videotaped address to the on-going
Janadriya festival, Mrs. Clinton said West-
ern society too often mischaracterizes Islam
and those who adhere to its teachings.
"We have allowed a tiny minority to de-
fine an ugly stereotype. The reality is that
the vast majority of the estimated 4 million
Muslims in the United States are loyal cit-
izens whose daily lives revolve around
work, family and community," she said.
Mrs. Clinton said in the United States,
Americans are beginning to learn more
about the rich traditions of Islamic history
and culture and to "appreciate the contribu-
tions of Muslims to our own culture."
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
Al-Riyad
March 12, 1996
Page 14
Headline: Americans are beginning to learn more about the traditions of Islamic history
and Culture and to appreciate the contributions of Islamic People
(Text of statement only)
agrill
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
Al-Jazira
March 17, 1996
Page 21
Dr. Abdulaziz As-Sabeel writes in an article in "AI Jazira" entitled "Al Janadriya and
the Dialogue with the Other":
"Hillary Clinton's statement pleased some with its message, but the number that she gave
of Muslims in America is less than the one we have from Islamic workers in the field."
"One who follows the situation of Muslims in America feels that the picture of Islam is
starting to change, even if only slightly. The American First Lady's statement and the
measures taken by the White House to celebrate Eid Al Fitr and such positive moves as
appointing the first Imam in the American Army and other things all have a positive
effect on people."
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PRESERVATION
Al-Riyadh
March 17, 1996
Page 12
In a ommentary entitled "Dialogue Between The West and Muslims" in the influential
rab C daily "Ar-Riyadh," Muhammad Reda Nasrallah writes:
The surprise of the festival was the White House statement presented by Hillary
Clinton, the wife of the President, which presented a positive message to the festival on
slam and Islamic history. She said that she had more of an opportunity to learn about
slam after her daughter Chelsey took a course on Islamic history."
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PRESERVATION
Al-Eqtisadiah
March 12, 1996
Page 2
Headline: An Interesting Debate between Hillary Clinton and Hoffmanton
Hillary Clinton Breaks Through (the Exclusion of Women) in King Faisal Hall at Al-
Janadria)
Jaser al Jaser in "Al-Eqtisadiah" praises the First Lady for her concern for social issues
and notes that she hosted for the first time an Eid celebration. "No doubt such actions
will help to counter stereotypes and help people to interact in a non-political context."
the article also says that Hillary Clinton's address will help lessen tensions generated by a
German scholar's presentation the night before, in which he stated that it is unlikely any
dialogue between Islam and the West will be possible. "The festival opened a very
important door and succeeded in enriching and enlightening dialogue and discussion, a
door through which Hillary Clinton was able to enter to carry the white house's
invitation to engage in dialogue and contact."
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Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat
March 12, 1996
Front page
Headline: Islam Has a Place in the House of the US President
"This American initiative comes as an important effort to enrich contact and dialogue,
and it comes on the heels of the White House's celebration of Eid al Fitr: Hillary Clinton
was the catalyst for both events."
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Al-Jazira
March 12, 1996
Page 10
Headline: A Seminar on "The Danger of Islam to the West: Between Truth and Illusion"
"Before the symposium, they presented Hillary Clinton's statement to the festival
expressing her high estimation of the importance of this festival and the subject, "Islam
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Al-Madina
March 17, 1996
Page 15
Headline: The Danger of Islam to the West: Truth or Illusion.
"Before the debate began, Hillary Clinton, the wife of the American president, spoke in a
televised message: [full text of statement]."
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March 13, 1996
Back page
Headline: The U.S. is convinced of the necessity of Dialogue between Religions
Al-Hayat added a commentary saying, "The contribution of Hillary Clinton came as an
initiative from the White House, which asked to participate in the symposium on Islam
and the West. Observers interpreted that it (the address) aims to carry a message
confirming to Muslims and Arabs that the U.S. believes in the importance of dialogue
between religions and cultures."
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Al-Muslimun
March 13, 1996
Front page
Headline: "Hillary Clinton" An Eager Student of Islam
"The most important symposium of the cultural festival on Islam and the West began
with a videotaped statement by American's First Lady, Hillary Clinton." and [Full text
of statement]."
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March 12, 1996
Front page
Headline: Hillary to Al Janadriya: I'm Eager to Study Islam
[Full text of statement]
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Al-Jazira
March 19, 1996
Page 29
Biography of Mrs. Clinton
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news
SPECIAL REPORT ON
TUESDAY. MARCH 19, 1996
THE
A SEMINAR ORGANIZED IN CONNECTION WITH THE JANADRIYA FESTIVAL FROM MARCH 8 TO 13 IN RIYADH
Bold effort to build a bridge of understanding
Clash or
By Dr. Abdul Qader Tash
friction over the past few years and the
wrote equating Islam with the West is
attempt from their side to understand Is-
faith as directed by the Holy Qur'an and
Editor-in-Chief
extensive media coverage they received,
not the right expression. According to
lam in its true sense in order to correct the
practiced by Prophet Muhammad
the "internationalization" of the con-
the writer, Islam is a religion whereas the
misconceptions they carry about it or do
(PBUH) and his followers during the
peaceful
The selection of "Islam and the West"
troversy surrounding what is termed as
West, although originally represents a
they see in this dialogue an opportunity
early days of Islam. To face the malicious
as the theme of the 11th session of the
"Islamic fundamentalism", the rising
line of development and approach, is in
to impose certain ideas and pressure us
campaigns in Western media we are re-
Janadriya National Heritage and Culture
star of anti-Islamic extremist forces in
fact a combination of liberal countries
into becoming part of what they see as
quired to double our efforts and build
Festival which ended in Riyadh last
the West and of anti-Western groups in
whose civilization is dominating today's
the highest of civilizations.
more bridges for dialogue.
coexistence?
week was a timely choice. It reflected
Muslim countries, the emergence of
world.
The Janadriya festival succeeded in
I suggest to the organizers of the fes-
intellectual maturity and boldness from
theories like the "The Clash of Civiliza-
The writer adds that although in the
consolidating the merits of dialogue and
tival the formation of a permanent com-
Are Muslims and the West bound to
the side of the organizers.
tions" and the "other enemy" following
West we find secularists, Christians and
helped enrich our cultural and in-
mittee to follow up this dialogue until it
The dialogue between Islam and the
the demise of communism have all con-
Jews, there are Muslims too. "While
tellectual life. It provided a healthy at-
bears fruit. The committee members
clash? Dr. Jaafar Sheikh Idris, professor of
West is now the topic of the day, draw-
tributed to broadening the public interest
there are those in the West who criticize
mosphere that enabled the speakers to
should be drawn from prominent in-
ng interest and generating much debate
in the relationship between Islam and the
tellectuals and thinkers from both Mus-
Islamic studies, Institute of Islamic and
Islam there are many others who prefer
freely express and exchange con-
and controversy among intellectuals,
West.
to remain silent and still others who ac-
structive ideas free of any sensitivities.
lim and Western countries. Its mission is
Arabic Sciences, Washington, gives
politicians and strategic planners as well
This in turn has given rise to the
cept Islam and appreciate its values and
There is a growing need for dialogue
to lay down comprehensive ideas on how
an answer which supports
as religious scholars in both Muslim and
pressing question of whether this re-
teachings."
to prevail among civilizations and cul-
to ensure the continuity of serious di-
Western societies.
lationship is heading toward co-
The point raised by Dr. Fawzan is
tures in a world experiencing bizarre
alogue. It should recommend programs
the idea of peaceful coexistence
The subject is especially important
existence or confrontation.
worth considering. We should first de-
calls and attempts designed to provoke
of action and the mechanisms needed for
because it touches on the strategic re-
The festival organizers should also be
fine the objectives behind the dialogue
and stir confrontation and conflicts.
this.
ations - cultural, religious, political
credited for the selection of the speakers
between the two parties, As Muslims we
To onfront these threats the world
Arab News feels it its duty to provide
Is it possible for the inhabitants of our global village to
and economic - of two competing civ-
drawn from the most prominent Arab,
have to set the goals and results we ex-
must believe firmly in the need for civ-
its readers with excerpts of research pa-
live peacefully together and reap the fruits of science and
lizations. Apart from this, the general
Muslim and Western names engaged in
pect to accomplish. Do we want to see
ilized dialogue to prevaií and for attempts
pers and lectures presented during the
technology whose pace of advancement is ever in-
public is showing increased interest in
this dialogue. Perhaps the most obvious
knowledge about Islam spread and its
seeking to ignite the flames of war to be
festival. We hope to offer our readers a
creasing? Or are their religious, cultural and civilization
he dialogue. The debate is no longer
obstacle facing this dialogue is the dif-
distorted image corrected or do we want
thwarted.
unique service that could help push the
differences bound to create clashes and wars among
confined to the intelligentsia in the two
ficulty in identifying the parties to the
to enter into a debate with Westerners
The need for Muslims to open new
dialogue forward and broaden its scope
them? The matter is so important that it behooves Muslim
societies but has broadened to cover a
equation of Islam and the West.
and call them to embrace our religion?
channels with the others, specially the
of interest among the public. It is only
intellectuals and statesmen to give it serious thought.
wide spectrum of the public.
The problem was highlighted by Sau-
We should also seek to know what ob-
West, is more pressing. We are required
through active contribution that such di-
Western intellectuals are very much concerned with
There is no doubt that incidents of
di writer, Dr. Abdullah Al-Fawzan, who
jectives the Westerners are after: Is it an
to argue in a gentle manner and in good
alogue could continue.
this question. But they are by no means agreed on the
answer. One view is that the clash between Western civ-
ilization and others is inevitable, nay that it is already
Muslims & West
under way. Another view is that the real clash is within
Western culture itself.
A third view is that people all over the world are
heading toward Western political liberalism and ec-
should expand
onomic capitalism, and that these systems constitute the
end of history in these respects.
A fourth view is that peaceful coexistence among
dialoque: Hillarv
people of different cultures and civilizations is possible
provided they adopt secular pluralistic democracy.
lations - cultural, religious, political
credited for the selection of the speakers
between the two parties, As Muslims we
To onfront these threa
and economic - of two competing civ-
drawn from the most prominent Arab,
have to set the goals and results we ex-
ilizations. Apart from this, the general
must believe firmly in the
Muslim and Western names engaged in
pect to accomplish. Do we want to see
ilized dialogue to prevaii an
public is showing increased interest in
this dialogue. Perhaps the most obvious
knowledge about Islam spread and its
seeking to ignite the flames
the dialogue. The debate is no longer
obstacle facing this dialogue is the dif-
distorted image corrected or do we want
thwarted
confined to the intelligentsia in the two
ficulty in identifying the parties to the
to enter into a debate with Westerners
The need for Muslims
societies but has broadened to cover a
equation of Islam and the West.
and call them to embrace our religion?
channels with the others,
wide spectrum of the public.
The problem was highlighted by Sau-
We should also seek to know what ob-
West, is more pressing. We
There is no doubt that incidents of
di writer, Dr. Abdullah Al-Fawzan, who
jectives the Westerners are after: Is it an
to argue in a gentle manne
Muslims & West
should expand
dialogue: Hillary
I am very pleased to have this op-
portunity to address the 1996 Janadrya
cultural festival, and to contribute in
some small way to a discussion as im-
portant as "Islam and the West."
Here in the United States, Amer-
icans are beginning to learn more
about the rich traditions of Islamic
history and culture and to appreciate
the contributions of Islamic people to
our own culture.
I, myself, have become an eager
student of Islam in recent years, thanks
in part to my daughter, who took a
course on Islamic history in high
school. As a result of her studies, she
proved to be an invaluable tour guide
to me when we traveled to South Asia
together last year.
I also had the opportunity last month
to host the first-ever White House cel-
ebration of the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. As
I shared in this historic celebration of
Prince Miteb ibn Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz, deputy president of military affairs at National Guard (c) is 1
joy, love and family life, I thought of
for technical affairs at National Guard (I) and Muhammad Ahmad Al-Okaili.
how Western society too often mis-
characterizes Islam and those who ad-
here to its teachings. We have allowed
a tiny minority to define an ugly ster-
eotype. The reality is that the vast ma-
A battle of ideas over futu
jority of the estimated 4 million Mus-
lims in the United States are loyal
citizens whose daily lives revolve
sume that the West exists as a single
dependence. Today, hunc
By Amir Taheri
monolithic bloc with uniform interests
around work, family and community.
sands of jobs and whole
As Americans, we are proud of our
and policies. Several speakers were
many Western nations de
history as an open, pluralist society
A week of debates and discussions
able to show that the different Western
with the Muslim countrie:
that respects all religions, including
reveals some interesting realities in re-
powers adopt different policies vis-a-
This interdependence
Islam. During last month's Eid cel-
lations between Islam and the West
vis Muslim nations on the basis of their
rapidly, and is likely to 1
ebration I met a young Muslim Amer-
The King Faisal Conference Hall in
own national interests.
tegration of many Musli
ican girl who spoke to the group, say-
Riyadh, designed for solemn state oc-
The second point evolves from the
into the global economy
ing, "only in America, people from
casions, has been the scene of much
first. We live in a world of nation-states
Western powers remain n.
different parts of the world can come
rhetorical fireworks in the past few
in which there are no permanent friends
The sixth point is that d
together and become one community.
days as scholars from a dozen or so
and foes. A nation's long-term interests
that Islamic themes now p
I am proud to be an American. And I
countries have debated the future of re-
cannot be developed on the basis of
part of the political discc
am proud to be an American Muslim."
lations between Islam and the West.
emotional considerations alone.
Muslim countries, no cor
In the past, children of other faiths
The debate has often continued long
The third point, hammered in by at
position exists on any m
have had the opportunity to observe
after the conclusion of the formal ses-
least two speakers, is that the West and
international politics.
their major holidays at the White
sions. The organizers of the debate,
Islam are in fact, two halves of the same
The theme of "clash
House. Now Muslim children also
within the annual festival of culture and
whole. They have much more in com-
tions", first raised by an /
know that their religion has a place in
heritage, had promised a concluding
mon than each of them has with Asiat-
fessor, was examined
their President's house.
statement which would have pre-
ic, African and native American civ-
whelmingly rejected on
These opportunities to share in
sumably summed up the points of con-
ilizations.
The first was that neither
Muslim life have enriched my own
vergence reached after nearly a week of
The fourth point is that the world of
West could be regarded
experience, and I am hopeful that Is-
deliberations. In the end, however, they
Islam and the West have major stra-
The second was that the
lamic countries and the West will con-
apparently decided not to do so, leaving
tegic interests in common. They share
much more in common b:
tinue to expand their dialogue so that
everyone to draw his or her own con-
the Mediterranean and have a direct
nership than by seeking c
we can learn to appreciate the many
clusions.
stake in the security of the Middle East
Nevertheless, some are
values and aspirations we share as
Let me, therefore, share with you
and the Gulf region.
were detected in relation
people and nations. Thank you for your
some of the conclusions I draw from
The fifth point is that the economies
West and the Islamic c
part in enriching this dialogue. I wish
the debate. The first point is that
of many Muslim states are now closely
such area is a deep sus
the festival and its distinguished par-
sweeping generalizations must be
linked with those of the Western pow-
some Muslims that the V
ticipants the best of success.
avoided at all cost. It is wrong to as-
ers. This, of course, is not a one-way
impose its own secular
PRESERVAT PHOTOCOPY now a force to be reckoned with
in Dalnh Duke U
Arab News, February 25, 1996
Your baby trusts
you
as you trust the
Sayidaty range
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PAGE 16
Celebration of Eid in White House was long overdue
This week, for the first time in
tion of joy, love and family life, I
sixth-graders. But listening to her, I
American history, the White House
couldn't help thinking of how we, as a
hosted a celebration of an Islamic hol-
TALKING IT
thought about how hopeful it is for our
society, too-often mischaracterize Islam
country that children here can grow up
iday. It was long overdue.
and those who adhere to its teachings.
like Marwa, fluent not only in the ways
To mark the end of the holy month
Think back to the Oklahoma City
of America but also in their own cul-
of Ramadan, the most important Mus-
bombing, and some of the reactions that
tural and religious traditions.
lim holiday of the year, I welcomed 200
immediately followed, and you'll know
I am grateful that my own daughter
men, women and children (and even
what I'm getting at.
has had the chance to study Islamic
some sleeping babies) from across the
Moments after the explosion, Mus-
HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
history in high school, certainly not an
country to the Indian Treaty Room of
lims were publicly presumed to have
option for my generation. In fact,
the Old Executive Office Building.
been responsible. While police
Chelsea was so enthusiastic about the
There were prayers and speeches,
searched for suspects, many Muslims in
course that when we traveled to South
and a feast of traditional dishes, in-
this country felt afraid to leave their
ton Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon to
green felt hat barely reaching above the
Asia together last year, she provided a
cluding meat dumplings, pita bread,
homes. Mosques and Islamic centers
community leaders like Dr. Laila Al-
microphone, she offered the most poig-
running commentary on everything we
hummus (a spicy garbanzo bean dip),
received threatening phone calls.
Marayati, a California physician who
nant reminder of why a celebration of
did and saw.
baba ganoush (an eggplant dip), tab-
While news stories about Muslims
served on the U.S. delegation to the
Ramadan at the White House was as
Leaming about all of the cultures
bouleh (a salad of parsley, tomatoes
often focus on the negative side, it's not
Women's Conference in Beijing, to
important to all Americans as to those in
that have enriched our society also en-
and cracked wheat) and pastries.
fair to apply such a negative stereotype
scholar Abdul-Rasheed Muhammad,
the room.
hances our understanding of what it
Like 1 billion other Muslims around
to all Muslims.
the first Islamic scholar in the U.S.
"Only in America, people from dif-
means to be American. We are, after
the world, these American Muslims
The reality is that the vast majority
Army, who offered a prayer at the
ferent parts of the world can come to-
all, a nation of immigrants and diverse
had just finished fasting from sunrise
of the estimated 4 million Muslims in
White House ceremony.
gether and become one community,"
religious beliefs.
until sundown for 30 days. Ramadan is
the (United States are loyal citizens
They are also children like Marwa
she said. "I am proud to be an American.
In the past, children of other faiths
a special time for families, when par-
whose daily lives revolve around work,
Al-Khairo, a Girl Guide and aspiring
And I am proud to be an American
have had the opportunity to observe
ents and their children practice self-
family and community.
doctor who loves books by Judy Blume
Muslim," she added, before ending her
their major holidays at the White
discipline and deny themselves food
People who find spiritual guidance
and Mark Twain. She, her two younger
speech with a plug for her favorite pas-
House. Now, I hope, Marwa and other
and water to gain greater compassion
and sustenance in Islam represent all
brothers and her parents joined many
try.
Muslim children will also feel that their
for the poor.
walks of American life. They range
other families at the White House cel-
Marwa's life is no different in many
religion has a place in their President's
As I shared in this historic celebra-
from well-known celebrities like Hous-
ebration. Standing on the dais, her
respects from that of other American
house.
PRESERVATION
PHOTOCOPY
Arab News
March 15
Back page
Newsmakers
Suha Arafat says she is
a women's rights activist
PARIS (R) - Suha Arafat, wife of
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, de-
clared in an interview published on
Wednesday that she is a fervent wom-
en's rights champion who has often
sought advice from U.S. first lady Hil-
lary Clinton. "At first, I was very ex-
treme on women's rights. I wanted too
much. Now I act more concretely, put-
ting pressure on the Palestinian Au-
thority to move forward on a rights is-
sue that will be a victory for women,"
Suha, 32, told the French weekly Paris
Match.
Suha insists she has the ear of her
husband. "My life is surrounded by
politics, and often I cannot keep quiet.
I have my opinion and my husband
listens to me," she said. She has sought
advice on several occasions from Mrs.
Clinton, widely seen as an influential
adviser to husband Bill, and from for-
mer French Health Minister Simone
Veil, she said.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION