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From the
April 2002 issue of
World Press Review
(VOL. 49, No. 4)
Viewpoints
Bush's 'Axis of Evil'
Doctrine
Views
from the international press
Tokyo
Asahi Shimbun (liberal), Feb. 1: President Bush’s State
of the Union address was couched in the disturbingly tough,
hard-line rhetoric that harkened back to the Cold War era....But
Iran and North Korea, if not Iraq, have supported the United
States in the war on terrorism, although with considerable restraint.
Polls show Bush’s speech went down well with American voters.
But there is considerable doubt on whether his speech helped
his standing in the international community.
Cairo Al-Ahram al-Messai
(state-owned), Feb. 13: One is surprised at the number of times
U.S. President Bush used the term “war” in his recent State
of the Union address, and even more surprised at the applause
he received every time....That the entire U.S. administration
has gone astray augurs badly for the entire world, which could
be transformed into a huge battle zone.
—Mohammed Wahib al-Sayed
Jakarta Kompas (independent),
Feb. 13: When Bush stated the “axis of evil”...on Jan. 29, people
were stunned. Bush’s choice of words...[is] regarded as overreactive,
unnecessary, and improper....Bush’s accusation against Iran,
Iraq, and North Korea is counterproductive to efforts to create
global cooperation against terrorism.
Kingston Jamaica Gleaner
(centrist), Feb. 14: The United States increasingly appears
to be taking the position that whoever is not for us is against
us. In times like these, there are friends, and there are enemies....The
danger is that the United States may create enemies for itself
where before only strangers were present.
—John Rapley
Karachi Daily Jang
(pro-government), Feb. 13: American President Bush’s pronouncement
terming Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as an “axis of evil” is
simply dangerous. He has clearly stated that it is the historic
responsibility of the United States to protect justice and security
in the world and to play a leading role to this effect. Western
European states will resist the U.S. operation only to some
extent, as they also have their designs of economic hegemony
over Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The difference is only
on the share of plunder.
—Zahida Hina
Amman The Star (English-language
weekly), Feb. 9: There is a morbid sense of impending disaster
sweeping the Middle East following last week’s bombastic speech
by President Bush, in which he drummed up support for a long
war against terrorism and what he termed as an axis of evil....It
now appears that the United States will act unilaterally if
need be in the next phase of its open-ended war on terror and
“evil.” Its European allies have been left out of the latest
deliberations as the United States redraws the basic foundations
of its foreign policy.
—Osama El Sherif 
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