Posted on 06/05/2013 11:06:22 AM PDT by listenhillary
Cairo: Top Egyptian politicians were left red- faced after they were caught on live TV hatching plots to sabotage a dam in neighbouring Ethiopia during talks with President Mohammed Mursi, leaving viewers stunned.
The gaffe happened as an official failed to inform them that they were live on air during talks with Mursi.
"It was initially planned that the national meeting would be recorded and aired the next day, as is usually the case, but due to the importance of the topic it was decided at the last minute to air the meeting live. I forgot to inform the attendees about the changes," presidential aide for political affairs Pakinam El-Sharqawy said via Facebook late yesterday.
El-Sharqawy later apologised for the gaffe but the damage had been done, Ahram Online reported.
Seated around a large table, the politicians thinking this was a closed meeting began to suggest ideas, including spreading of rumours and using underhand means, for ways to stop the dam project.
"We will work on absorbing the shock caused by the Millennium Dam", Mursi said during the meeting, aired by Egypt's state TV, adding that the dam will affect only 8 per cent of the total of Egypt's electricity generation.
Commenting on some experts' predictions that the dam might collapse and pose a danger to Egypt, the president said: "This, of course, will be in Egypt's favour, but we cannot say that (officially)".
Several political figures expressed anger at the mistake because they expressed views they thought would remain secret.
Liberal Ghad Party leader Ayman Nour said he was shocked that the meeting had been screened live without informing the participants.
The most controversial comment was made by him as he suggested that Egypt disseminate rumours that it is seeking advanced aircrafts, the Egypt Independent reported. He said this is an intelligence technique of intimidation.
"It might not be realistic, but it will bring results on the diplomatic path," Nour said.
It was a "big mistake" because sensitive information was being discussed, Nour said later. Younis Makhyoun, chairman of the Salafi Nour Party, said the last chip Egypt has is using its secret services to demolish the dam, describing the project as a declaration of war.
Chairman of the moderate Islamist Wasat Party, Abul Ela Mady, suggested sending army destroyers to the Bab al-Mandab strait and spreading rumours that Egypt is about to strike the dam.
Former information minister Osama Heikal said broadcasting the meeting live was "a farce" that reflects "the state of absurdity Egypt is experiencing".
Who needs sabotage when your friendly Muzzie US President gives you F-16’s?
"Gaffe"? That is a rather mild word for saying this on live television.
So peaceful...
Mursi (Morsi?) should have just said, "After the dam breaks, we'll have more flexibility." and, then, left it at that.
Gee ... thank God for open mics.
These are Obama’s people whom HE INSTALLED
after have Mubarek taken out.
Obama OWNS the Arab Spring and the murders that
have come since, and all the MANPAD deaths that
will come, after the Obama-DNC-MANPADs are distributed.
Like anyone’s surprised. They’re moslem, evil is what they do.
What he said was an act of war.
Wouldn’t blowing up that dam cause some problems for the citizens living downstream?
“Somebody’s gonna get hurt real bad.”
Yes it is.
I wonder if any of the USA media will report it.
Egyptian politicians caught in on-air Ethiopia dam gaffe
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22771563
Actually, what they did was the exact opposite of a 'gaffe'.
A gaffe is when you are trying to say the right thing, and mess your words up.
These guys were being honest, and said exactly what they intended to say.
These are Obama’s people whom HE INSTALLED
after have Mubarek taken out.
Obama OWNS the Arab Spring and the murders that
have come since, and all the MANPAD deaths that
will come, after the Obama-DNC-MANPADs are distributed.
**************
Sen. John McCain — are you listening?
What was that scandal.. where the terrorists told our guys in the safehouse ‘..don’t shoot! Morsi sent us!’ name is on the tip of my tongue...
Just dam.
The gaffe was made by El-Sharqawy, the presidential aide who failed to let the leaders know they were live. That was the gaffe. For the leaders, it was a disaster of incredible proportions.
They’ve limited their options they can take going forward. Look for another group to destroy the dam on hopes that Egypt will be blamed?
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