NEVER BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU!
Posted on 08/23/2002 10:23:30 AM PDT by GaryMontana
Several pro-government Egyptian newspapers and media outlets are attacking the United States following the Bush administration's decision not to increase financial aid to the North African nation.
The Egyptian press has attacked U.S. policy and policymakers in the past, usually at low points in the oft-rocky relationship between Washington and Cairo. But the new attacks are particularly vitriolic and have even gone so far as to compare some U.S. officials to Nazi Germany's Third Reich.
"[Defense Secretary Donald] Rumsfeld is a new Hitler in America," wrote columnist Kamal Abd Al-Raouf for the government weekly Akhbar Al-Yaum last week, predicting the hawkish Cabinet member would soon "meet his fate, like the other crazies relegated to the dustbin of history."
Several of the most prominent attacks were translated recently by the Middle East Media Research Institute following the Bush administration's decision Tuesday to freeze new aid to Cairo.
The administration made its decision based on Egypt's prosecution of Dr. Sa'ad Eddin Ibrahim, a noted human-rights campaigner, and related treatment of pro-democracy organizations.
Among the translated items included in MEMRI's press release Wednesday was a commentary written by Al-Akhbar editor Galal Duweidar, who criticized the U.S. decision as an affront to Egypt's judicial system.
Duweidar said he had "hoped that the bout of human-rights defense that afflicts the U.S. – to the point of undermining the rulings of the glorious Egyptian legal system – would be characterized by justice and balance, not based on double standards and a constant attempt to politicize the American positions in a way that suits the general interests of its agents. ..."
"Where is the rage at the human-rights violations of the innocent Palestinian, who is killed everyday, imprisoned, banished and besieged by the Israeli occupation forces on the occupied Palestinian land?" he continued.
The Al-Akhbar editor went on to cite a recent Human Rights Watch report that accused the U.S. of "many violations" of human rights and repetitive violations "of the law and legal proceedings. ..."
In a separate Al-Akhbar column, writer Sa'id Sunbul said he believed the Bush administration's decision actually worsened Ibrahim's situation.
"If there was an intention to release Ibrahim because of his health and in response to the Egyptian intellectuals' [concerns] ... I think this would not happen, at least not now, so that the release would not be interpreted as surrender to American pressure and threats," he wrote.
Washington's policy decision has "not served [Ibrahim]," he said, labeling the administration's resolve "inconsiderate and provocative behavior."
"Egypt will not agree to any pressure on the part of the U.S., and the American authorities must realize this," Sunbul wrote.
In another Al-Akhbar editorial, the paper said Egypt's "role in the region cannot be marginalized and cannot be relinquished – but Egypt will not agree to pressure or intervention in its domestic affairs."
Other editorials accused Washington of attempting to turn Egypt and other nations into "agents," not allies.
"The American administration's statement was completely lacking in good manners and was uncivilized," said still another Al-Akhbar editorial last week. "America is proving it does not want friends but agents, which is unacceptable to [Egypt]."
"The great Egypt did not ask for this aid," the editorial continued. "It was America that declared ... [that it would] give economic aid ... to Egypt."
Cairo has been a benefactor of U.S. economic and military aid since it became the first Arab nation to formally make peace with Israel on March 26, 1979, during the administration of President Jimmy Carter.
Other papers also attacked the U.S.
"America is completely mistaken if it thinks it can protect its interests by applying pressure, arm-twisting, hinting at imposing sanctions, or implementing material and moral terrorism," said an editorial in the government daily Al-Gumhuriya. "Does Washington realize that international law states that a country has sovereignty over what takes place under its skies?"
The daily Al-Masaa adopted an even more threatening tone in one editorial.
"Play [your games] far away from Egypt," said the article, referring to Washington's Ibrahim decision. "Egypt is something else, something you do not know and [you] are incapable of withstanding the ramifications of this dangerous game with it."
But the government daily Al-Ahram was calmer: "Conducting relations between countries on a basis of mutual respect obligates the U.S. to forget about the idea of using economic pressure, because it creates an uncomfortable atmosphere and popular sentiment, which are not good for developing relations in favor of the interests of both peoples.
"If the U.S. gives Egypt economic aid, then Egypt gives the U.S. aid in other areas," continued the Al-Ahram editorial. "Even with regard to economic aid, the conditions of this aid opens horizons for American companies and American exports to Egypt. ..."
Still other papers were much more acerbic in their attacks. One – the opposition weekly Al-Usbu – said the U.S. was founded by European "criminals."
"The country [the U.S.] founded by the deported and criminals of Europe on the blood and flesh of an entire people [i.e. Native Americans] looks like someone who has adapted herself to her history [i.e. becoming criminal again]," said the op-ed. "Egypt is much too great to descend to the base and inferior American level – even at the price of the humiliating American aid ... Let America go to hell together with its aid."
Rumsfeld is not a new Hitler, clearly the Egyptians know nothing about Hitler
"The great Egypt did not ask for this aid," the editorial continued. "It was America that declared ... [that it would] give economic aid ... to Egypt."
Well than it is time to END AID to EGYPT. They do not want it, and we could use the money in the USA or give it to our ally Israel.
"... Let America go to hell together with its aid."
The next time Israel takes the Sinai we should let Israel keep it. Time to end aid to Egypt!
"If the U.S. gives Egypt economic aid, then Egypt gives the U.S. aid in other areas,"
I would like to know in what areas Egypt is supplying the US with aid? Is it in closing the canal to US military ships? Is it in keeping the Aswan dam running? Perharps a few camels?
Time to cut all aid to Egypt!
NEVER BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU!
INCREASE? Those terrorists are fortunate to get a dime from the U.S. taxpayer, let alone the 2 billion we give them. This funding for foreign dictatorships has to stop.
Well, so much for the "glorious Egyptian legal system."
They ain't getting our money, so they punish Ibrahim because of it. Why should this even be part of the equation in their "glorious legal system?"
Washington's policy decision has "not served [Ibrahim]," he said, labeling the administration's resolve "inconsiderate and provocative behavior."
Talk about hubris! Somehow it's our fault that they decided to take it out on Ibrahim because Daddy shut off their allowance. Those Egyptian "intellectuals" sure are powerful thinkers.
Agreed! We shut off the spigot, voila! No economic pressure!
Sounds like a deal to me.
WRONG!
The US has every right to determine what nations are qualified to receive foreign aid from the American taxpayers.
OTOH, the 9-11 attacks were the real uncivilized brutality.
I don't know. But $2B a year would probably support a decent feasibility study.
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