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Source: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4659699&pageNumber=1
Arabs Face Stark Choice: Reform or Ruin
(Reuters) Samia Nakhoul - The Arab world, which failed to catch the wave of change that brought Latin America, eastern Europe and swathes of Asia into the democratic fold over three decades, now faces the choice of reform or ruin, analysts say. Arab leaders, however, long entrenched in power they owe to their armies and hordes of secret police, are nervous of change, saying the choice is between reform and stability. Arab leaders meeting at the annual Arab summit in Tunis on March 29-30 are scurrying to find a model of reform to counter Washington's new "Greater Middle East" initiative, which calls for free elections, empowerment of women, civil society, modernization, and fighting poverty.