Editor,

Refer to the article, "Experts denounce countries that impose democracies on Africa” (The New Times, July 1). This is a long struggle that might take at least a hundred years to win.

First, it is well documented that the majority of some former and current African as well as Asian leaders could not ascend to power without the blessing of Europe or North America. Even the current African and Asian opposition leaders (in exile or in their home countries) can’t survive without Western support.

We see them on regular basis in Washington, London, Paris, Ottawa, Berlin, Brussels, etc., seeking external help.

Second, it is difficult (even impossible) for most of African and Asian countries to survive without financial and in-kind support from the West.

On the other hand, I do understand that "real democracy must put into context the cultural systems of countries”. However, African and Asian peoples need to think twice about this approach because there is a possibility of going back to the old monarchy or kingdom systems. In other words, leaders who are in power or those who will come to power might not accept to leave. Consequently, internal political tensions, ethnic conflicts, wars and chaos will emerge.

All in all, I think that Europeans and Americans are to blame as well as African and Asian leaders.

It is illogical to be somebody’s friend during the day and be their enemy at night. Thank you.

Eddy Chico, United States

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"Imposed democracy” is a perfect example of that Americanism an "oxymoron”— a contradiction in terms; democracy cannot be forced on a people, it must grow organically and gradually or it does not do so at all. In fact, in and of itself, the very act of external imposition negates democracy.

It must be a result of a people’s own free choice that comes about as the natural outcome of necessary internal processes of struggle and compromises, not something that is bestowed on them by fiat from magnanimous foreign powers.

Mwene Kalinda, Rwanda