After the successful uprising since the overthrow of the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, the United States of America today said Egypt has made significant progress toward democracy in the last 15 months.
On her remarks today at DC, Department Spokesperson underlined that Egypt has made remarkable gains after the revolution, particularly by conducting free and fair parliamentary elections and the transfer of legislative authority to the new People’s Assembly, and a date announced for complete transition to civilian leadership.
She announces that Secretary Clinton has certified to Congress that Egypt is meeting its obligations under its Peace Treaty with Israel.
“The Secretary has also waived legislative conditions related to Egypt’s democratic transition, on the basis of America’s national security interests, allowing for the continued flow of Foreign Military Financing to Egypt.” -Ms. Nuland
These decisions reflect America’s over-arching goal: to maintain our strategic partnership with an Egypt made stronger and more stable by a successful transition to democracy, Ms. Nuland.
However, Ms. Nuland pointed out that Egypt’s transition to democracy is not yet complete, and more work remains to protect universal rights and freedoms.
Reports say the Egyptian people themselves have made this clear to their own leaders.
According to Ms. Nuland, Secretary’s decision to waive is also designed to demonstrate US strong support for Egypt’s enduring role as a security partner and leader in promoting regional stability and peace.
Egypt has maintained thirty-plus years of peace with Israel, Ms. Nuland added.
She stresses tt contributes to efforts to stop proliferation and arms smuggling and facilitates missions from Afghanistan to counterterrorism in the Horn of Africa.
“We are committed to supporting the Egyptian people as they strive for the dignity, opportunity, rights and freedoms for which they have already sacrificed so much.” -Ms. Nuland
The United States is committed for the protection of civil society and NGOs, which have a critical role to play in building Egypt’s democracy.
The United States remains deeply concerned regarding the trials of civil society activists-non-Egyptians and Egyptians alike–and have raised these concerns at the highest levels, urging an end to harassment.
The political transition underway is bringing about a new, more democratic Egypt, Ms. Nuland emphasized.
The United States is looking forward forward to engage with Egyptians on how it can best support and advance the interests we share.
She notes that Egyptians are living through one of the most remarkable periods of their thousands of years of history.
“Today we reaffirm our support for Egypt, for its historic accomplishments to date, for the democratic journey it is on and for our enduring partnership.” -Ms. Nuland
On February 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced that the United States stands ready to provide assistance to Egypt to advance its efforts. Secretary Clinton announced $150 million budget to assist Egypt in its economic recovery after turmoil.
Earlier this year, President Obama has proposed a $1 billion cancellation of Egyptian debt to support Egypt’s economic recovery.
Egypt has made progress on human rights since the revolution that toppled the regime of Hosni Mubarak earlier in 2011.
Long-standing regimes were toppled by a wave of pro-democracy protests that have engulfed much of North Africa and the Middle East in 2011, particularly in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya.
