Creating Irritants In US-Egyptian Relations

Hassan Tahsin,
hassan_tahsin@hotmail.com
Friday, 30, March, 2007
(11, Rabi` al-Awwal, 1428)
ArabNews

Western colonialism used to violate the sovereignty of many countries and tribal communities in the past. After many years and in some cases after years of fierce fighting they were able to win their independence. But now there is a new colonialism practiced by America who wanted to inherit the legacy of the Spanish, English and French emperors and colonialists.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union the US became the sole superpower of the world. It started using threats and economic aid as strategic weapons. When the US found these were not enough it resorted to military force and occupation as a means of accomplishing its strategic objectives. Again the US is failing not because the weapons and bombs it uses are not lethal enough but the American solider doesn’t believe in what he’s fighting for.

Still the American administration, and especially the current one, continues to violate the sovereignty of different countries and interfere in their internal affairs.

A few days ago, Sean McCormack, the US spokesman officially condemned Egypt. Why? The Alexandria court (the supreme court) upheld the verdict of a lower court to sentence an Egyptian student blogger, Abdel Karim Suliman, to four years in jail for defaming Islam and insulting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in his blog writings. The official spokesman added that America was deeply concerned by Suliman’s conviction and prison sentence for expressing his views.

By any standard the statement was clear interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation. This is totally unacceptable. The Egyptian court verdict invited American ire because the current thinking in the US approves of anything that slanders Islam and Muslims. Therefore, whoever defames Muslims and Islam must be supported by Washington.

The US Department of State, without being requested or assigned by the UN, issues its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. It charges Egypt and the majority of the Arab countries with violating human rights.

The report about Egypt is based on incomplete information concerning some cases that are still under the purview of the courts. The report also criticized the way Egyptian jails and prisons are run and the system of police administration.

However, the report didn’t mention anything about Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo prisons because everything that is happening inside them is permissible as long as they are managed by Americans and are part of the so-called war on terror.

Neither did the report mention anything about the CIA’s trips to Europe and other places in connection with the secret sites where those arrested and kidnapped, most of them innocent, are locked.

In the beginning of last week and before heading to Aswan in Egypt, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice commented on the proposed amendments to Egypt’s constitution. She told reporters before she left Washington for the Middle East that she was “really concerned” about the referendum on constitutional changes.

Even before Rice’s arrival in Aswan, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit harshly criticized the Bush administration’s top diplomat. “Even if Egypt and the United States have a friendly, strategic relationship, Egypt can’t accept interference in its affairs from any of its friends,” Aboul Gheit said.

Here I would like to add that a majority of people in Egypt hates the US and resents its interference in Egyptian affairs.

In Egypt and all the Arab countries we still have our ethics and traditions that Americans can’t seem to comprehend.

Even in America there is a feeling their country is losing its moral moorings and the reason is the media. This is the conclusion of a survey that was conducted by one of the specialized research centers in Washington.

Some 74 percent of the Americans think the young generation’s idea of good and bad, cooperation and appreciation have become so distorted and different. 87 percent said that they’re religious but when they were given a choice between religion and life’s interests, only 36 percent chose religion and 64 percent preferred personal interests. It’s a very clear indication of the moral deterioration of American society.

Should not the American administration fix its own problems before invading other countries to “reform” them?