Friday, May 28, 2004

Walker, Abington, Et. Al.

Nicholas D. Kristof admiringly quotes Edward Walker Jr. and describes him solely as "a former U.S. ambassador to Israel and Egypt" in an op-ed piece, "The Bush and Kerry Tilt", published in the May 26 issue of the New York Times. But that is a misleading identification.

Mr. Walker is, since 2001, president and CEO of the Middle East Institute, a recognized pro-Arab lobby. It promotes "understanding" of the Middle East. His puff pieces appear in various pro-Saudi Arabia forums and other outlets, inclduing his numerous speaking appearances.

Walker is a classic example of the 'Arabist" tilt in the State Department, an official who serves his personal ideology while in government service and then finds employment within the Arab propaganda network as did Edward Abington,former U.S. Consul-General in Jerusalem, who received payment as an official "advisor" to Yassir Arafat and the Palestine Authority.

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