U.S. to help modernize Middle East societies

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration outlined a program Thursday to help modernize Arab society, offering an initial contribution of $29-million and pledging to seek more from Congress and rich Arab countries.

In the process, the administration hopes to deflect radicalism and combat illiteracy and poverty through scholarships and economic development.

"We are adding hope to the U.S.-Middle East agenda. We are pledging our energy, our abilities and our idealism to bring hope to all God's children who call the Middle East home," Secretary of State Colin Powell said.

"Hope begins with a paycheck," he said. "And that requires a vibrant economy."

Few details were released by Powell in a speech and news conference at the Heritage Foundation, a private research group.

Powell said 14-million Arab adults lack the jobs they need to put food on their tables, roofs over their heads and hopes in their hearts. He said 10-million school-age children are at home or working and half the Muslim women in the region are illiterate.

"Too many people there lack the very political and economic freedom, empowerment of women and modern education they need to prosper in the 21st century," he said.

Powell said the $29-million contribution from the United States was designed to get the program started. He said the administration would ask Congress for more money next year, which would be in addition to the more than $1-billion the United States provides annually in economic assistance to Arab countries.

Asked whether such rich Arab countries as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait should help finance the program, Powell said the United States would seek contributions from Arab nations.

Meanwhile, Powell said the administration would keep trying to establish a Palestinian state by 2005.

Acknowledging that peacemaking was moving at a snail's pace, he said: "We would do anything to find a way to move forward."

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