Tell you what seems odd about all this, most/all of the Egyptian press brings similar stories at about the same time. Camel Jock AP? Do they have an independent "free press" just like ours over here? No agendas ; )
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."
This taxpayer feels we shouldn't be giving any. We have enough problems of our own to solve. Charity begins at home. If only our gubmint would understand that.
Then again maybe not. Nothing useful there except their oil.
5.56mm
Adolescent fantasy.
In reality, the American tax serfs will continue making payments to any nation Big Daddy government tells them to.
The Saudis will continue to be our best pals. The death of a couple thousands tax serfs is no big deal between friends.
Now, onto your point.
If used properly, foreign aid can be helpful to the interests of the US and is a small portion of the overall budget. If the federal government concentarted on ending pork barrel spending and stopping waste, fraud and abuse in the annual budget, we'd be far better off. Tax reform would go a long way to acheiving those goals. Foreign affairs and international diplomacy is a different animal and so is isolationism.
Ohhhhh now *that's* real bright of 'em.
They *think* this'll make matters better, do they?
Hell's Bells, the Egyptian media sounds as if they're just as dumb as the imbeciles staffing our US Lamestream.
Maybe there's some kind of *secret* competition going on here between our globe's journalist-jokers?
The *Egyptian* media, huh?
Scary guys.
...sure makes me walk like an Egyptian, alright. :o)
Whoooaaa-ho-ho. Stop right there a minute and let's get a few things clear:
You don't have our respect.
You haven't earned our respect.
In fact, you shouldn't even worry about trying to earn our respect.
You boys've got all you can do to focus on not earning our emnity.
Cut all aid to Africa, imho, would be better.
LOL...ain't that called "Bitin' the Hand That Feeds Them"?!!
SHEEEESH...MUD
*g*
Tell you what seems odd about all this, most/all of the Egyptian press brings similar stories at about the same time. Camel Jock AP? Do they have an independent "free press" just like ours over here? No agendas ; )
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