TUNIS, Tunisia, May 23 (UPI) -- Arab League members may say they want rights-minded reforms, but don't expect women to start driving in Saudi Arabia any time soon.
After much behind-the-scenes wrangling, members meeting at a two-day summit in one of the most open countries of the Arab world agreed to a statement calling for things many people in the western world take for granted.
Presidents, kings, foreign ministers and other representatives who actually showed up signed a document calling for more women's rights, greater human rights and democracy, Amr Moussa, Arab League secretary general said in closing remarks.
The actual pledge promises "broader participation in public affairs," ensures "responsible freedom of expression," and calls for strengthening women's role in society "in line with our faith, values and traditions."
Open-minded Tunis appears to be the perfect place to sign such an agreement, with its teenagers in tight jeans mingling with matrons pushing baby strollers on the main boulevards. The ratio of men to women in popular café district streets may be 80-20 in the later evening hours, but there's nary a head scarf in sight, unlike the streets of many countries in the Arab world.
For the first time since the 22-member group was created in 1945, it plans to amend its charter to reflect the reforms, said Habib Ben Yahia, Tunisian foreign minister, insisting that they came from "grassroots" discussion among modern Muslims -- not from outside leaders. Arab League members, including a Palestinian delegation, come from Muslim countries in northern Africa and the Middle East.
Western leaders have called for the Arab world to accept international norms on such ideas as democracy and human rights. And it appears the summit was scheduled to wrap up immediately preceding the G-8 meeting of leaders of the world's largest economic leaders scheduled for next week.
Such reform discussion is big talk for a region where most women play virtually no role in public life. In many Arab countries, at least half the women have no education past sixth grade. Virtually all countries in the region are kingdoms ruled by long-running family dynasties.
Moussa sounded hopeful as he said discussion and implementation of reforms could start "right away." But in fact, member countries have a whole year to debate and discuss the document, which must be approved legally by various member countries' courts before being incorporated into the Arab League charter.
"This doesn't mean all problems will be solved right away," Ben Yahia said. "We cannot wave a magic stick. We need to go through the process."
Plans to actually implement the amendments are vague. They'll be discussed by member states who can then decide internally how they want to proceed, Ben Yahia said.
"Without any backing, we will not be in a position to enforce the decisions we make," Moussa admitted. "Reforming the Arab League requires assistance, including financial assistance."
Leaders had already delayed the gathering two months, mainly because of disagreements about proposed reforms. By Saturday, it became clear that eight leaders weren't going to show. Moammar gadhafi, Libya's leader, walked out during opening statements. Four others left soon after the first session.
