Is American Being Blackmailed by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak?
To: National & International Desks
Contact: Rafique Iscandar, American
Coptic Union, 201-798-1451,
americancu@hotmail.com
MEDIA ADVISORY, June 6 /Christian
Newswire/ -- The U.S. Congress recently approved $1.7 billion in aid to
Egypt. The reason given is that Egypt is a U.S. ally in the Middle East. While
human rights violations, the genocide, and persecution of Coptic Christians and
other minority groups, the imprisonment of pro-democratic reformers, and the
imprisonment and torture of protestors has been aired in the media, the U.S. has
chosen to ignore these violations and grant aid to Egypt.
Though the American Coptic Union (ACU) agrees with some of the reasons for
approving this aid, we believe that the withholding of U.S. aid along with other
means of pressure should be used as leverage to strongly encourage the Egyptian
government to stop abusing Coptic Christians and other minority groups in Egypt.
This leverage could also be used by the U.S. to help mediate peace between
Israel and the Palestinians and provide support for the U.S. military in the
region.
In addition to asking for U.S. aid, and silence, Egyptian President Hosni
Mubarak has asked for additional paid services for his personal and family
interests. The blackmail price is the U.S. silence, and endorsement of the
Egyptian government’s increased persecution of the Copts, and the
intensification of repression against all opposition. This blackmail is also
responsible for the increased hatred against the U.S.
Since the Camp David Peace Accord agreement between Israel and Egypt in 1979,
Egypt has received more than $50 billion in military and economic aid. According
to analysts, these funds barely benefit the welfare of the people.
Many Egyptians do not see U.S. aid as a way to improve their quality of life,
but rather see it as a bribe(1) to the Egyptian government’s influential and
corrupt members, as most of the aid has gone into the deep pockets of the
Mubarak family and not to the impoverished sources where it was originally
slated. The U.S. Middle East policy has given even more leverage to the Mubarak
family, which is using American interest for their personal benefit(2) and not for
the needs of the people of Egypt.
The continued support of the U.S. for the Mubarak family will only generate more
hatred and terrorism. It will cost America the support of at least 25% of
Egypt’s population, who admire American values and principals.
The International community (and America in particular), should understand that
Mubarak and his two sons, Allaa and Gamal, are responsible for corrupting and
sabotaging the life of Coptic Christians and most of the moderate Muslims who
disagree with Mubarak’s policies. Mubarak’s older son Allaa(3), for example, has
spoiled, extorted and looted billions of dollars during his father’s reign.
Currently, Allaa has become an Islamist and is suspiciously responsible for
financing some radical Islamic factions. Mubarak’s other son, Gamal(4), is being
prepared to hijack the country’s political infrastructure against the will of
most Egyptians. Unfortunately, Mubarak and his sons would not be able to do all
of this without the blind eye of tacit U.S. consent.
America’s explanation for its disadvantageous position is that there is no one
in Egypt’s entire population of 72 million, (including those who support
America’s policy), who is qualified to rule the country. If true, this would
indeed be a humiliation for Egypt whose civilization spans seven thousand years.
Ironically, in 2005, and in the name of democracy and reform, the U.S. added
even more repressive strength to Mubarak’s regime by allowing Islamists from the
Muslim Brotherhood to join the Parliament. This support has not only fortified
the Islamization of Egypt, but has consequently stepped up efforts to eradicate
Coptic Christians.
Another reason for America’s position is given by Mubarak himself, who says that
the regime is still helping the peace process between Israel and the
Palestinians. He also claims responsibility for the peace process in Lebanon,
Syria, Iraq, Iran and Sudan. This is not true because it is the Mubarak regime,
and not Egypt, that has been rejected from playing a valuable role in assisting
American policy in these countries.
The American Coptic Union contends that it is the US government’s continued
support for the Mubarak family, which will result in the escalating hatred and
declining support of Egyptians for the U.S. Therefore, America’s support for the
Mubarak family is a mistake similar to the previous acknowledged mistakes the
U.S. has made in Iran in 1979 and in Iraq in 2003.
It is now up to those Congress members who have opposed the passage of U.S. aid
to Egypt and are playing an important role in seeking to save not only America’s
interest, but also Egypt from the American-Mubarak foreign policy to push their
agenda forward, before it is too late.
----------------------------------------
1.) US Ambassador in Egypt, Francis J. Ricciardone on May 19, 2006. “The US Aid to Egypt actually is a charity fund, or donation”, Ricciardone said in a meeting with NGO, and businessmen. Publish in Al-Massrioun Newspaper, 5-19-06.
2.) Colonel Muhammad Al Ghanam, Former director of legal research, Egyptian Interior Ministry. Geneva, Switzerland. Corruption in Egypt, 4 June 2006, http://english.pravda.ru/mailbox/22/101/399/12823_Egypt.html.3.) As Alaa left the picture around the year 2000, Mubarak's second son Gamal started rising in the National Democratic Party and succeeded in getting a newer generation of neo-liberals into the party, and eventually the government. Due to Gamal's increasing visibility and influence). rumours about his being groomed for the presidency became common. Nevertheless, this was publicly refuted by the president several times. Many believe that his succession would mean a hereditary pseudo-monarchy.
4.) Mubarak and corruption :A dramatic drop in support for Mubarak occurred with news that his son Alaa was favoured in government tenders and privatization. Transparency International (TI) is an international organisation addressing corruption, including, but not limited to, political corruption. The Index of perception of corruption rates Egypt as follows: index:3.4 and ranks 70/159 countries.