'Ashamed of Lautenberg", Aref assaf, Bergen Record, 2/10/2006

The Record’s call on Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., to offer an apology to the Arab-American community is most appropriate (“Anti-Arab rant,” Editorial, March 2).

What we saw at Port Newark on Feb. 26 was not a seasoned statesman carefully measuring his words and pursuing matters with a reasoned tact but an ill-advised politician seeking to foster animosities and prejudicial sentiments. My dismay was furthered when I read his unapologetic letter “A reason to kill port deal: Dubai” (Your Views, March 5) minimizing our community’s objections and reasonable demands.

Sadly, Lautenberg and other hate-mongering politicians capitalized on hate-the-Arab sentiments not only to outmaneuver President Bush but also to harm our relations with fledgling modern societies in the Middle East. I venture to say that Osama bin Laden now feels vindicated for attacking America’s hypocrisy and its disdain for everything Arab.

Security of our shores begins and is verified on the shores of our trading partners and allies. If we trust Dubai with our nuclear-powered vessels, thousands of troops and hundred of jetfighters, then I think we can find a way to trust it with our ports.

As a New Jersey constituent, Lautenberg’s grandstanding shames me. My hurt is further deepened by his arrogance and disregard for our reasonable demand for an apology. As to add insult to injury, other prominent politicians who have joined in the anti-Arab rant have yet to distance themselves from Lautenberg’s slurs. Such rhetoric only adds fuel to backlash against Arabs, the great majority of whom are desirous of our friendship and support.

Aref Assaf

March 6

The writer is president of the American Arab Forum.