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Microsoft blames Israeli branch for outrageous advertisement By Molouk Y. Ba-Isa, Arab News Staff http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=14533 RIYADH, 21 April - Saudi E-Commerce 2002 opens under a cloud with one of the conference's Gold Sponsors, Microsoft, accused by the Israeli peace activist organization Gush Shalom of lending public support to the destructive war launched by the Sharon government against the Palestinians. According to Adam Keller, spokesperson of Gush Shalom, last week Israelis traveling on the main highways in the Tel Aviv area were treated to enormous billboards bearing the Microsoft logo under the text, "From the depth of our heart - thanks to The Israeli Defense Forces," on a background made of the Israeli flag. The organization mounted a worldwide appeal to its supporters requesting that they write to Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft Corporation, protesting Microsoft's dissemination of "crude nationalistic and militaristic propaganda at the Israeli population centers," and supporting a war "sharply censured by the international community and controversial among the citizens of Israel itself." A copy of Keller's personal letter to Gates was included in the e-mail campaign. It ended with the plea: "We urge you to take care that this activity is terminated forthwith, and that the estimated tens of thousands of dollars invested in the above mentioned billboards be used instead (for) activities aimed at stopping the bloodshed and promoting an equitable Israeli-Palestinian peace." In the Kingdom, Microsoft Arabia stated that they had yet to see the Gush Shalom e-mail. However, they were aware of the controversy. Mohammed Kateeb, GM, Microsoft Gulf, did not diminish the negativity of the issue, but he asserted that the billboards in Tel Aviv and one banner posting on the MSN Israel website had been removed. Jonathan Murray, VP, Global Accounts, Microsoft Corporation, who is in Riyadh to participate in Saudi E-Commerce 2002, did address the situation. He emphasized that Microsoft is very aware of the sensitivities in the region. He pointed out that Pan-Arab customers are extremely important to Microsoft and consequently the region has received significant investment and commitment of Microsoft's resources. "The billboards did not require and did not receive the approval of Microsoft Corporation," said Murray. "It was a Microsoft Israel decision alone." Murray felt that this was one of the disadvantages of operating local subsidiaries fairly autonomously. Under this system, local Microsoft management is given great leeway to function in the manner they consider best. While Murray did admit that there was a higher review policy for some public materials, such as press releases, he added that the billboards and banner posting had slipped through the policy cracks. When asked what action the company would be taking against those Microsoft employees responsible for the billboards and banner posting, Murray said that the "matter would be handled internally". Microsoft's assertions and actions thus far may not be enough to satisfy an outraged global community of human rights activists. Radio talk show host and human rights activist Andy Martin, the only American talk radio host who supports Palestinian rights, will hold an Internet forum on his radio program on Monday, April 22 at 1:00 p.m. to attack Microsoft Corporation for endorsing racism and genocide in Israel and to demand a worldwide boycott of Microsoft products. "I first learned of Microsoft Corporation's billboards in Tel Aviv endorsing racism and genocide on April 16," says Martin. "Now a major scandal is developing throughout the civilized world. I call on human beings everywhere to boycott Microsoft products in support of the Palestinian people." Microsoft, Gates and Martin are long-term adversaries. Microsoft has campaigned against Martin on its websites and Gates has criticized him in various forums. Martin founded the Committee to Fight Microsoft in 1995 and has actively opposed Microsoft products, which he calls "monopolistic, high priced, dysfunctional junk." "The Israeli Peace movement is outraged," said Martin. "Civilized human beings are outraged. What business does American business have endorsing mass murder of Palestinians? I salute the brave Israeli peace movement that has condemned Microsoft, and I join their condemnation." ===== Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace. Weekly peace walks around Lake Merritt in Oakland. Starts & ends at the colonnade between Grand & Lakeshore Avenues, 3 P.M., every Sunday. Info: (510)763-8712, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> or http://www.webwm.com/LMNOP __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Games - play chess, backgammon, pool and more http://games.yahoo.com/ --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9617B Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
