America's Aid and Egypt's Indifference

(Wall Street Journal Europe) Dina Khayat - The State Department released a statement on Oct. 9 saying that it would be "recalibrating" its assistance provided to Egypt, while it would continue working with the interim Egyptian government to help it move toward democracy and inclusiveness. However, what the millions of Egyptians who protested Morsi's rule on June 30 heard was that the Obama Administration stands firmly behind the Muslim Brotherhood. To call the curtailing of U.S. aid a prod to the Egyptian government toward democracy is disingenuous. There was neither outrage nor threats from Washington last November, when Morsi issued a constitutional declaration that effectively put him above the law. When Gen. Sisi appeared on television on July 3, the day Morsi was ousted, he was flanked by the Sheikh of Al Azhar University, the Coptic Pope, women, youth, politicians left and right, and representatives of Salafist groups. That contrasts starkly with Morsi, who surrounded himself solely with members of the Brotherhood. Calls by the Obama administration for inclusiveness should have begun then.


2013-10-17 00:00:00

Full Article

BACK

Visit the Daily Alert Archive