Saudi Women Have Message for U.S. Envoy - New York Times

Another example of a lack of understanding and finesse in U.S.-Saudi relations... Had Ms. Hughes spent any appreciable amount of time in the Middle East prior to making her presumptuous comments?

Saudi Women Have Message for U.S. Envoy - New York Times: "But the response on Tuesday was not what she and her aides expected. When Ms. Hughes expressed the hope here that Saudi women would be able to drive and 'fully participate in society' much as they do in her country, many challenged her.

'The general image of the Arab woman is that she isn't happy,' one audience member said. 'Well, we're all pretty happy.' The room, full of students, faculty members and some professionals, resounded with applause."...

Ms. Hughes, the under secretary of state for public diplomacy, is on her first trip to the Middle East. She seemed clearly taken aback as the women told her that just because they were not allowed to vote or drive that did not mean they were treated unfairly or imprisoned in their own homes...

But it was the meeting with the women that was the most unpredictable, as Ms. Hughes found herself on the defensive simply by saying that she hoped women would be able to vote in future elections.

In June, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice talked of democracy and freedom in the Middle East but declined to address the question of driving. By contrast, Ms. Hughes spoke personally, saying that driving a car was "an important part of my freedom."

A woman in the audience then charged that under President Bush the United States had become "a right-wing country" and that criticism by the press was "not allowed."

"I have to say I sometimes wish that were the case, but it's not," Ms. Hughes said with a laugh.