Posted on 08/16/2013 9:09:18 AM PDT by kristinn
WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) released the following statement on President Obama’s comments concerning violence in Egypt:
“President Obama’s detached and abstract statement yesterday on deteriorating conditions in Egypt is only the most recent manifestation of this Administration's failed policy in that country. As there can no longer be any reasonable doubt that what occurred in July was a military coup, the first step is to send an unequivocal message that the United States is a nation of laws and suspend aid to Egypt.
“The United States has invested billions in Egypt since the Camp David peace accords, and should have significant influence with its government. President Obama, however, has squandered this leverage. In 2010, the Obama administration failed to pressure Hosni Mubarak to make an orderly transition to a more democratic system of government. Then it failed to extract any concessions from Mohammad Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood regime in return for the additional billion dollars in aid it inexplicably pledged. As Morsi’s rule became increasingly dictatorial, this administration failed to support those calling for more inclusive and tolerant leadership.
“When a military coup occurred, it failed to follow current U.S. law and suspend aid to Egypt, something that could have been done to encourage the new government to move swiftly toward democratic reforms. Not illogically, the Egyptian military took this as permission to act with impunity against the Muslim Brotherhood, which in turn is provoking violence and committing savage crimes against Coptic Christians.
“The one sentiment uniting these disparate groups—as President Obama noted in his remarks—is to blame the United States, the country that continues to pour taxpayer dollars into Egypt. The situation demands recognition that our country's current aid system is utterly and irretrievably broken. Not only are we giving arms and money to people who hate us around the world—in Egypt, we are managing to give arms and money in a way that makes our former friends hate us. It must stop now.
“When and if the United States does resume aid to Egypt, it should be clearly targeted at producing a result that is in the best interests of the United States, which would be a secular, inclusive and stable administration that supports Camp David and will be able to maintain the Suez Canal.
“But the President concluded his remarks, tellingly, with, 'We don't take sides with any particular party or political figure.' That was his policy in 2009 when he failed to vigorously support the Green Revolution in Iran. It was his policy in 2011 when he failed to swiftly call for the removal of the Syrian dictator Bashir al-Assad when there was a unified, peaceful and secular opposition to him. And it has been the basis of the Obama Administration’s failed policy in Egypt, which, by refusing to use our leverage to advance U.S. interests and priorities, has contributed to that country’s descent into chaos.”
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I do not see his statement as ‘supporting’ the MB. It is not time to go that far in sorting out his statements IMHO. I have read both articles and it appears to me, that while his stance is conflicting, it is not supporting the MB at all.
There are elements in the Egyptian military that probably concern some right now. That is all I can figure.
0bastard sent the MB 8 billion dollars. Egypt’s election that out Morsi as head was no cleaner than the 2012 that gave 0bastard a second term.
Tainted to the max. Election fraud, IRS going after conservative groups, etc.
Neither election was the least bit clean.
A Rino...that’s interesting. Rinos are the ones telling Cruz to be quiet. Cruz is any thing but a Rino. He is a thorn in the sides of the Rinos.
What amazes me is how many people on FR remain ignorant of what is actually going on in Egypt.
Too lazy to read the Live Egypt thread? Too many linked articles strain the brain?
Who knows.
The many signs held by anti-Morsi demonstrators over the weeks made it very clear it is 0bastard and his MB supporting regime they hate, NOT the American people.
So Cruz is outraged because the Egyptian people don’t want a US president giving $ and support to the MB.
What happened to Cruz? Threatened? Bribed? Or just gone native in deecee?
Our politicos in government are shortsighted and are being Dumb.
The efforts here of the Muslim Brotherhood again trying to take direct power in Egypt will fail.
If the United States continue in their course of actions and words could very well push the Egyptians towards China and Russia.
In the end, the U.S. will lose out in power and ‘sphere of influence’ with Egypt that has consequence as a whole for the Middle East.
Well, he’s not as outfront as Paul (who whined about the miltary tanks running over innocent people), but now he’s calling it a “coup” and he was calling it democratic uprising 6 weeks ago. He’s really changed his tune.
I’m sorry, I have to disagree with Ted.
We shouldn’t have been giving them as much aid in the first place, and certainly shouldn’t have given Egypt a bunch of F16’s as the MB gained power and started to show their colors.
From my point of view, the MB was a political coup; this is a counter-coup, or in the language of the State Department, a “reset.”
I don't know as of yet. Haven't given it a good look yet.
IMHO that is one of 0bastard’s handlers goals. If they couldn’t get the MB to remain in power (best plan), then at least Putin would gain influence, which he obviously is, in Egypt.
Sort of like “If we (MB/jihadis) can’t have Egypt, then might as well have Russia influence it”.
Anything to reduce the influence of the US. Sort of a fall back plan.
Well soon it will be impossible to ignore. Hopefully people will wake up. It is important to remember that most politicians are on vacation too and reading the corrupt press accounts. If they are being briefed, it is likely by the same intelligence agencies that are corrupted as well. Our country is in grave danger. When the Suez gets closed....all bets are off.
OMG these guys are soooooo short-sighted and ignorant to boot. Depressing.
You know- the more I see the more I’m convinced the neo-cons are nuts. This part of the world cannot deal with democracy. The reasons are myriad.
It seems Mubarack and Qadaffi knew that.
Someone posted a link yesterday to Sultan Knish’s very recent article about the Republican Party. It was the best I’ve ever read. In fact I was going to post it on FR today, but I can’t find it. Here’s his blog, if you can find it, could you let me know? He describes EXACTLY what is wrong with the R party. And it’s deep.
http://sultanknish.blogspot.com/
Muslim Brotherhood and al Qaeda getting beat down is a good thing Ted, you're on the idiot Obama's side on this.
A lot disappointed with this statement by him.
Sad I really like Cruz, but he jumped the shark by supporting the MB. Hopefully he will realize that inpowering the MS is not in the best interests of the USA.
Bingo! You are so right..... And the sooner they lose influence over conservative politicians and policy makers, the better.
I use to think that they served a purpose in protecting our alley Israel’s national security, but now, even Israel is siding with Egyptian military to crush the MB!! It makes no sense!!
Good analysis. It fits Obama's thinking.
Now that I've read Cruz's statement. :-)
Cruz did recognize that Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood was a very bad government that had to be replace, but he believes that the way it went down violated US law. It also appears Cruz 'in principle' does not like the idea of Foreign Aid because of the pit falls and hazards as he stated above, and he probably thinks it does not fit well with conservative principles.
However, he's not totally against the idea for the right reasons.
Moreover, Cruz recognizes the inconsistencies of Obama's Middle Eastern policy and that it has been a driving force that has caused chaos. Cruz did leave short in conclusion to why Obama is doing what he is doing.
Scanned the blog and did a quick FR search- no luck.
I think Cruz did this in part as a hit against undue foreign aid. Cut it off by whatever reason you have handy. I definitely agree we are beyond stupid to pour our money onto people who are clearly against us.
I do not agree with siding against the Egypt Mil, they are the most right in this sorry situation. Morsi and the MB was certainly heading in a worse direction.
I see that Pooty Putin has already begun smoozing the Egyptian Mil as they too see nobama’s failings there.
Yep- and not only that- the military is being politically smart- just read they are going to help rebuild the CHRISTIAN churches that the MB burned.
Iknow Morsi was trying to fill the military with MB but apparently that didn’t go so well..
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