(Senator Lugar joins European, Mideast leaders on panel discussion) (900) By Berta Gomez Washington File Correspondent Dead Sea, Jordan -- Most Arab countries would welcome greater democracy and economic freedom, but want to generate reforms from within their own societies and not have them imposed from without, say global leaders gathered for a special annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). "Arab countries are eager for change, but want (to achieve it through) their own people and institutions ... as well as support and encouragement from the United States," U.S. Senator Richard Lugar, a Republican from Indiana, said during one of several panel discussions that opened the June 21-23 event on the Jordanian shores of the Dead Sea. Lugar, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was summing up comments made by a range of leaders from the Middle East, Europe and the United States on the political, security and humanitarian issues facing the Middle East following the Iraq war. A recurring theme, particularly among Arab representatives, was the need for countries to find their own way as they move to open up their political systems and integrate themselves more fully into the global economy. And while many expressed skepticism over U.S. goals for Iraq and the Middle East roadmap, delegates generally agreed on the need for close U.S. cooperation with the region. They also said that U.S. help and guidance could be crucial to building a freer and more prosperous Middle East. Amre Moussa, secretary-general of the League of Arab States, said the Arab world "cannot be comfortable" with an ongoing U.S. presence in Iraq, but also expressed hope for a "serious dialogue" with the United States on its future role in the region. As for the prospects for democracy in the region, Moussa said, "We believe we have to change, but this should be done by us. It cannot be imposed." For his part, Lugar said he "could not agree more" with Moussa on the need for a "very deep" Arab-U.S. dialogue on the future of the Middle East and on U.S. goals for Iraq. The United States, he said, is working to build an Iraq that is democratic, has a vibrant economy, and is a friend to its neighbors. He acknowledged that the reconstruction of post-war Iraq has been "slow," but said he believed that Ambassador Paul Bremer, the U.S. civilian administrator in Iraq, "is making headway." He rejected flatly the idea that the United States would use its presence in Iraq as a platform for re-shaping the entire region. "That is not a correct perception," Lugar stressed. The United States is instead seeking to work constructively with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other close friends in the region on their pro-democracy initiatives, as well as on global security, Lugar said. "The war against terror involves all of us," he said. "It will not succeed without the Arab League, and I also believe there is a very important role for Europe and for the U.N." Lugar also applauded President Bush's decision to play a "personal role" in promoting his administration's "roadmap" for Middle East peace. "Never underestimate the president when he's committed," the senator said of Bush. Other conference participants expressing confidence in Bush's commitment to the peace process included Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani. "I believe, in the end, that we have a serious president in the United States," he said during discussion of the roadmap. German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer noted that European leaders had long urged the Bush administration to play a more active role in ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "Now the U.S. is back in the driver's seat, and we're very happy about that," Fischer said. "It's a tremendous opportunity." Martin Indyk, who served as U.S. ambassador to Israel during the Clinton administration, praised Bush's policies and "bold vision" for the region. "The United States has come in not only to change a horrendous regime in Iraq ... but is also determined to make peace in the Middle East," said Indyk, who is now policy director for the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution. Indyk said that Bush envisions a democratic, prosperous and peaceful Middle East "and is prepared to move forward with that vision." He also pointed to promising signs in the region, noting that countries such as Bahrain, Morocco, Jordan and Qatar are all embarking on pro-democracy initiatives. Indyk said he hoped that such moves would inspire countries that continue to resist change. Moussa, in his comments on the importance of local institutions in promoting democracy, noted that the Middle East now has about 150,000 non-governmental organizations. "We have to change, and the process of change has started," he said. Striking a less positive note, some delegates worried that there is not yet a "model" for Arab democracy and wondered if governments now experimenting with reform would eventually back down. "Is it genuine change?" asked a panelist. Describing the situation in Qatar, Foreign Minister Al-Thani said that democratic reform is incomplete but nevertheless dramatic -- particularly compared to the situation in his country 10 or 20 years ago. "We have a base from which to start," he said. (The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)