Easier to negotiate with dictators

The G8 heads of state and government meet in the French seaside resort of Deauville today for a two-day summit to discuss the situation in the Arab world. The West will have to adjust to seeing the young democracies make backwards steps, the left-liberal daily La Repubblica concludes: "The Western countries of the G8 maintained shady relations with Arab rulers. This didn't exactly enhance the credibility of Western values aimed at promoting democracy and defending human rights. ... Now the time has come to make amends, and perhaps even a collective apology. ... The young Arab democracies will make slow progress, suffer severe setbacks and experience counter-revolutions and restorations in the coming years. ... Despite its generous aid the West will have a hard time overcoming its distrust of the consequences of the Arab Spring. For negotiating with dictators was dishonourable, but at least easier than negotiating with provisional governments."

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