Arabs Question U.S. Role in 'Arab Spring', Effective Aid & Progressive Islam vs Increased Regional Militarization, Drones & Al-Qaida Expansion Tues. MAY 15, 9:00AM

WHAT:

A Press Conference

ARABS QUESTION U.S. ON "ARAB SPRING"

WHY:

After the Arab regional uprisings, the 12 Arab NGO civic society delegates from Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain, Palestine, Morocco, Lebanon and Iraq are in D.C. MAY 14-18, 2012, to assess and advice U.S. role in the 'Arab Spring', U.S.-Arab new relations, the credibility of US foreign policy, effective economic development, centrality of the Palestinian rights, aid & USAID reform, trade, investment relations, debt, and specifics about their respective countries like military escalations, indefinite detention and drones, prison hunger strikes, Egyptian elections and the different roles of political Islam. ANND delegation declares:

"Ongoing changes in the Arab region necessitate the revision of various areas of the United States. foreign policy towards the region in several areas."

WHEN:

Tuesday MAY 15, 2012, 9-11AM

WHERE:

The National Press Club, 14th St. NW, 13th Floor, Zenger room - Washington, DC 20045

*photo ops & individual interviews, TV/radio please RSVP

WHO:

*The Arab NGO Network for Development (http://www.annd.org) -- founded in 1997, is a regional network operating today in 11 Arab countries with 7 national networks and 23 NGO members, focusing on economic and social policies and rights in the Arab region.

ANND DELEGATES

*Hanaa' Edward

Iraqi Al-Amal Association`

*Izza-Deen El Asbahi

Yemen – Human Rights Information and Training Center

*Salah Al Jourchi

Tunisia – Researcher and Political Analyst Coordinator of the Civic Constitutional Commission - Al Jahez Center, co-founder of Progressive Islamic Group

*Saad Felali Meknassi

Morocco – Transparency

*Abdel Nabi Al Ekry

Bahrain – Transparency Association

*Nada Alwadi

Bahrain Press Association

*Allam Jarar

Palestinian NGO Network

*Magdy Abdel Hamid

Egypt – Egyptian Association for Civic Engagement

*Ossama Safa

Lebanese Association for Electoral Reform

*Ziad Abdel Samad

Lebanon – ANND executive director

*Mohamad Ali Loutfy

Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union

*Kinda Mohamadieh

Lebanon – ANND visit coordinator, economist