Egypt gets vows of $12b in support
Yeah, that ‘‘part of the world is blessed with a stunning amount of commercial potential,’’ and it's the military lynchpin behind all the policies in place, too.
"Obama lifts arms freeze against Egypt" by Peter Baker, New York Times April 01, 2015
WASHINGTON — Seeking to patch relations with a longtime regional ally at a time of spreading war and instability in the Middle East, President Obama lifted an arms freeze against Egypt that he imposed after the 2013 military overthrow of the country’s elected government.
Obama removed his holds on the delivery of F-16 aircraft, Harpoon missiles, and M1A1 tank kits and in a call assured President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt that he will continue to support $1.3 billion in annual military assistance for the Cairo government, the White House announced Tuesday.
While social services are cut here at home.
The White House said in a statement, “The president explained that these and other steps will help refine our military assistance relationship so that it is better positioned to address the shared challenges to US and Egyptian interests in an unstable region, consistent with the longstanding strategic partnership between our two countries.”
Yeah, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are the only two U.S. puppets still standing after all the U.S.-sponsored regime changes in the region!
While the White House said Obama continued to express concern about human rights abuses in Egypt, the decision to resume arms deliveries signaled a geopolitical trade-off for the US leader.
And they wonder why no one takes U.S. talk of human rights seriously?
In effect, he signaled that he was done punishing Cairo for toppling an elected president and that he was instead focusing on the shared goal of combating extremist elements in Libya and Yemen.
Egypt has said in recent days that it might send ground troops into Yemen if necessary to support an air campaign led by Saudi Arabia to counter the advance of Houthi rebels backed by Iran.
Egypt also helped announce a plan to join with other Arab countries to form a combined military force to stand against Iranian aggression and Islamic extremism.
Pretty nice of AmeriKa and its allies to create, fund, and direct that last group, 'eh?
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Also see: US Unfreezes Military Aid to Egypt
Egypt must be doing some good things:
"Hamas a ‘terrorist’ group, Egypt court says" by Brian Rohan, Associated Press March 01, 2015
CAIRO — A civil court declared Hamas a ‘‘terrorist organization’’ on Saturday, further isolating the rulers of the Gaza Strip who once found a warm welcome under Egypt’s past Islamist government.
Sucking up to Israel again.
The ruling by Judge Mohamed el-Sayed of Cairo’s Court for Urgent Matters described Hamas as targeting both civilians and security forces inside Egypt’s restive Sinai Peninsula, and aiming to harm the country. The Sinai has been under increasing attack by Islamic extremists since the Egyptian military ousted Mohammed Morsi as president in 2013.
‘‘It has been proven without any doubt that the movement has committed acts of sabotage, assassinations, and the killing of innocent civilians and members of the armed forces and police in Egypt,’’ the judge’s ruling said, according to state news agency MENA.
When governments say that it means they are lying.
In Gaza, Hamas official Mushir al-Masri condemned the decision and urged Egypt to reverse course. ‘‘This ruling serves the Israeli occupation. It’s a politicized decision that constitutes the beginning of Egypt evading its role toward the Palestinian cause,’’ he said.
So does the Egyptian junta.
The ruling further isolates Hamas, which once found open support under Morsi’s Islamist administration and from his now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group.
Egypt’s new government recently started clearing a buffer zone along its border with Gaza, aiming to destroy cross-border tunnels that Hamas considers a lifeline.
On Jan. 31, the Cairo court banned Hamas’ military wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, and also designated it a terrorist organization.
The ruling said Hamas fighters had used heavy weapons against the army, and was colluding with the Brotherhood.
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"Egypt orders trial in death of female protester" by Sarah El Deeb, Associated Press March 18, 2015
CAIRO — Egypt’s chief prosecutor referred a police officer to trial Tuesday for the killing of a female protester during a peaceful rally in a case that captured public attention largely because it was filmed and documented in detail.
They are better than AmeriKa!
The death of 32-year old Shaimaa el-Sabbagh, a mother of a young boy, in January on the eve of the 2011 uprising’s anniversary caused an intense public outcry. Despite widely circulated footage that showed two masked, black-clad officers pointing their rifles in Sabbagh’s direction as gunshots rang out and a voice commanded ‘‘fire,’’ authorities initially denied that police had any involvement in her death.
See? Their FIRST INSTINCT is to LIE, and there is simply no excuse for it!
The chief prosecutor general also referred 16 people to trial in connection with a fatal clash at a soccer match last month, accusing them of belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood and plotting the chaos in order to destabilize the country. At least 22 soccer fans were crushed to death outside a stadium in Cairo after police fired tear gas to break up the crowd waiting in a narrow corridor to enter.
I already kicked that around.
The two cases had renewed accusations from rights groups and activists that Egypt’s powerful police force enjoys almost blanket impunity. Amnesty International said authorities in Egypt are covering up excessive use of force by police, and taking no action to rein in abuses.
I'm sure AmeriKan authorities agree and admire them!
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Related:
"The government carried out the death penalty for the first time against an Islamist supporter of ousted president Mohammed Morsi on Saturday, executing a man convicted of murder related to the political violence after the military takeover of the government in 2013, the Interior Ministry said. The man, Mahmoud Ramadan, was seen among the attackers in a well-publicized video that showed teenagers being thrown from a rooftop water tower (New York Times)."
You want to try that again?
UPDATE:
Sorry I missed this:
"Egypt’s president on Sunday claimed broad support from the international community in a speech to an investor conference that saw billions pledged to boost an economy battered by four years of turmoil since a revolt overthrew longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi (left) acknowledged the road to recovery will be long and costly but called the three-day summit a success.‘‘You have no idea how happy you’ve made the Egyptian people,’’ he told attendees. Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab said the conference netted $36.2 billion in signed investments. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait kicked off the conference by announcing $12 billion in aid and investment. The United States, France, Britain, and Italy also praised the steps el-Sissi has taken, as did the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. El-Sissi singled out Siemens’ $10.5 billion agreement to boost Egypt’s power grid."
Yeah, $i$$i won't make the same mistake Morsi did, namely flipping his middle finger to those revered financial in$titutions. Egypt also critical right now -- as is Saudi Arabia -- because it is one of the two twin towers of US Arab allies left standing (strange how those two countries supplied the hijackers for the 9/11 cover story, too. So many tangled connections to read between the lines).
