I hope that the sentence will not affect our relations with Hezbollah
Ahmed Abu El-Gait
28th of April 2010
This is how Ahmed Abu El-Gait our foreign minister commented on the court's sentence in the so-called Hezbollah trial cell. So now we have relations with Hezbollah !!?? Where were these relations last year when our regime used its media and its allies from the gulf to the ocean to attack Hezbollah !!
In fact just from few hours ago Ahmed Ezz of NDP and one of the brains of NDP has just attacked Hezbollah and spoke about negatively on CNN !!??
I know that this is politics and clearly the Egyptian regime is getting closer to the Syrian regime again after taking a green light from the States or may by it is just a game the Egyptian regime playing with the States reminding the Americans that Egypt can return to that front concerning the succession and democratic reforms back in Cairo !!??
Anyhow I do not understand why Abu El-Gait suddenly admits that we have relations with Hezbollah !!?? This is an official recognition for Hezbollah in Egypt as far as I could tell.
May be I am missing something !!??
What is ElBaradei's position on Hezbollah? I just tried to find out, but other than interviews where he condemns the US for supporting repressive Arab regimes and seems to be saying the US should establish relationships with Hezbollah and Iran, I can't find anything.
ReplyDeleteThis is important to me, and I think it's important to all Americans. If ElBaradei is presenting himself as an alternative to "repressive regimes" that the US currently supports, then he needs to stand against terrorist groups/states that are America's enemies. It's simply not realistic to think that the US would go against its own national interests and support a leader in the ME who is in bed with America's enemies.
ElBaradie can of course do whatever he wants but he has no right to expect American backing for it if he's standing against America. That's a double-game he's playing where he wants to get popular support in Egypt and the Arab world at large by playing up his anti-American credentials, and at the same time expects America to back him while he does it. Silliness.
What a horrible mess...!!!!!
ReplyDelete@Craig: just because one group is presumed terrorist by the US that doesnt mean thats the way they are perceived by Egyptians. What makes Hizballah terrorists? are they a threat to the US or to Israel? Is Israel= the US or is it a sad state of Americans loosing sight of what is their country's interests and mixing them up with Israeli interests?!!
ReplyDeleteNo one wants any thing from the US other than to just stop supporting repressive regimes and blindly support Israel.
We as Egyptians do not want any one who comes with American support or blessings. In fact any person who seems to be supported by the US immediately looses his/her credibility among Egyptians. We also want one who puts Egypt's own interests and not US interests ahead. No one is happy that we dnt have proper relations with Iran and a lot of ppl do think we need to strengthen our relations with other powers in the World particularly the Turks and Iranians, instead of just relying on a one-sided relationship with the US that has undermined our position in the region and cost us a lot. The Americans need to realize that unless the ppl of MENA have real democracy the US interests wont be safe at all and look how many years has your country been fighting its so-called MENA enemies and loosing. Its about time ppl like you shed their imperial-like thoughts and realize we are equals to them and have our own interests and needs and are not just there to serve American interests.
@Anonymous3:38: What mindless drivel. Egypt does not have a good relationship with the U.S.; that is why Mubarak didn't go to the U.S. for several years, and why Bush supported funding pro-democracy groups over Egyptian objections. The relationship is purely one of convenience. This has started to change with the election of the coward Obama, who doesn't support civil society like Bush. For the record, the U.S. does not support candidates in foreign elections. Just look at Iraq and how much influence the U.S. had on their election (very little). By the way, if Arabs are so unhappy with U.S. policies, they should start lobbying just like the Israelis have.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 3:38 PM,
ReplyDeletejust because one group is presumed terrorist by the US that doesnt mean thats the way they are perceived by Egyptians.
I'm not Egyptian. I'm American. It doesn't matter to me how HA is perceived by Egyptians. It matters to me how HA is perceived by me.
No one wants any thing from the US other than to just stop supporting repressive regimes and blindly support Israel.
And we should support anti-US groups who support terrorists, instead? Illogical.
PS
ReplyDeleteNo one wants any thing from the US other than to just stop supporting repressive regimes and blindly support Israel.
Egypt and Jordan are both LESS repressive than Libya, Syria and Iran. The US does not support Libya, Syria or Iran. I've never seen on any Arab blog Arabs praising the US for NOT supporting those extremely repressive regimes.
As far as Israel, do Israelis believe their government is repressive? I think Israelis believe they have a representative and democratic government.
So can we please dispense with this intellectual dishonesty about the repressive regimes? You are motivated by an anti-US and anti-Israel agenda, so why not just admit to that and stop whining about the fact the US doesn't actively HELP YOU in your effort to be anti-US? Do you think we are stupid?
@craig
ReplyDeleteYou said: "I've never seen on any Arab blog Arabs praising the US for NOT supporting those extremely repressive regimes." The world is not America-centric and there are many Arab bloggers who do not condone US support for Israel because of what many in the Arab, Middle Eastern and International Communities have described as blatant Israeli disregard for Human Rights, not to mention International Law.
"As far as Israel, do Israelis believe their government is repressive? I think Israelis believe they have a representative and democratic government." REALLY? So just because the Israelis believe their government is representative and democratic, that means it is. [Of course, you've completely ignored any and all Israeli dissent to Israeli government, military and court action and decisions, which is ridiculous]. Well, Hezbollah believe that they are fighting against an enemy which still occupies parts of Lebanese lands. This, according to your statement, means we should treat them as freedom fighters resisting an occupying power.
And your joke of jokes: "You are motivated by an anti-US and anti-Israel agenda, so why not just admit to that and stop whining about the fact the US doesn't actively HELP YOU in your effort to be anti-US? Do you think we are stupid?"
You don't say. So you're saying that one has to be pro-US and Israeli policy or just shut up? There was not a single sentence mentioned that said or implied that the US should actively help us to be anti-US. It was explicitly stated that: "No one wants any thing from the US other than to just stop supporting repressive regimes and blindly support Israel." AND "The Americans need to realize that unless the ppl of MENA have real democracy the US interests wont be safe at all and look how many years has your country been fighting its so-called MENA enemies and loosing. Its about time ppl like you shed their imperial-like thoughts and realize we are equals to them and have our own interests and needs and are not just there to serve American interests." It's amusing that the only demand made of you in that comment was to stop supporting repressive regime and to stop supporting Israel blindly. Apparently, you consider this anti-US. That says a lot about how you want us to behave: Subservient and accepting of whatever the US deems is good, right and necessary for Arabs, Middle Easterners and the region as a whole. Eh? Do YOU think WE are stupid?
(contd...)
ReplyDelete@Anonymous 5:59 hit the nail on the head when they said: "By the way, if Arabs are so unhappy with U.S. policies, they should start lobbying just like the Israelis have." I agree completely.
The world is what it is. The US is considered a super-power and thinking that is isn't will not change that. The US supports Israel. Whether they are "right" or "wrong" will not change the fact that they do (if it, and everyone else, did and there was a universal "right" which everyone adhered to, we'd all be living in a heaven on earth, wouldn't we?).
The ridiculous part is the double standards that are clearly obvious when it comes to US foreign policy. If US statesmen had said: well, we support Israel no matter what they do, no one would have been able to blame them. But, to say that the invasion of Iraq, to cite an example, was a precursor and a direct first step in the spreading of democracy in the Middle East and then supporting oppressive regimes in countries which have strategic importance (or, at the very least, countries that you do not want to be a thorn in your side) is an act of pure hypocrisy, to say the least. The examples are extensive and encompass many different aspects of politics, society, government, industry etc.
Zeinobia, sorry for cluttering your comments with such a long response.
(contd...)
ReplyDeleteYou don't say. So you're saying that one has to be pro-US and Israeli policy or just shut up? There was not a single sentence mentioned that said or implied that the US should actively help us to be anti-US. It was explicitly stated that: "No one wants any thing from the US other than to just stop supporting repressive regimes and blindly support Israel." AND "The Americans need to realize that unless the ppl of MENA have real democracy the US interests wont be safe at all and look how many years has your country been fighting its so-called MENA enemies and loosing. Its about time ppl like you shed their imperial-like thoughts and realize we are equals to them and have our own interests and needs and are not just there to serve American interests." It's amusing that the only demand made of you in that comment was to stop supporting repressive regime and to stop supporting Israel blindly. Apparently, you consider this anti-US. That says a lot about how you want us to behave: Subservient and accepting of whatever the US deems is good, right and necessary for Arabs, Middle Easterners and the region as a whole. Eh? Do YOU think WE are stupid?
The only meaningful thing you've said is that you're American and will support American interests. The way things are at this point in time, for most but not all Middle Easterners/Arabs, American interests do not converge with ours. This is how we react. Do not expect us to react the way you want us to or through methods that you think we should employ. If you do, then it would make perfect sense that we demand and expect you to stop supporting repressive Arab regimes and Israel. Quid pro quo. So, as naturally as US foreign policy continues to support repressive Arab regimes and Hezbollah, there will be natural support for Hezbollah... even by the likes of me: a sworn agnostic who would die before even thinking of allowing any religious person, party or entity to come to power. They're the thorn in Israel's side that allows us some reprieve from the injustices that we are forced to swallow because we lack economic and military might. The moment you begin to understand this, will be the moment you BEGIN to understand how many (but not all, of course) Arabs currently view American foreign policy vis-a-vis the current situation in the Middle East.
@Anon: You seriously think American-Egyptian relations were at real risk during the Bush administration? Wasnt it the same administration that kept silent after initially pressing for more democracy?! You know why the change of tone happened bec Mubarak pulled a smart move allowing some MBH members into Parliament sending a false message to the West that if you want democracy this is what you will get, another Hamas. And we all know Western democracy talk freezes once any MENA ppl make a democratic choice that doesnt appeal to the West. Funny, no one asked us when stupid Bush was elected twice.
ReplyDelete@Craig: enough w the self-victimization. Im not pro or anti US, my concern is my countrys own interests. Love and hate doesnt apply to politics for me and what im seeing is that after many years of mainly depending on the US as our main alley the country has suffered a lot.
NO ONE ASKED THE US TO MEDDLE OR EVEN WANT IT TO MEDDLE. All we want is to be true to its professed interest in democratic reforms in the region or to be silent and to stop siding with the regime.
Yes, I do consider those Americans like you thinking their interests is in relying on a blind support to Israel and non-democratic regimes, to be stupid and short sighted. Thank God I do have American friends who could see how these policies have actually hurt the country and disagree with them.
The US now has a growing business cooperation w Libya, strong ally to KSA considered very oppressive to its ppl, and the list of bad friends to the US is long and stretches to cover the World. As for Jordan and Egypt, you do knw Jordanians cant say any thing about the Royal family right? You also do know that despite the fact that Egyptians were allowed to run their mouths w complaints any one who dares to cross the line by words or actions is oppressed. Or may b u missed on the long list of on-going abuses to bloggers, journalists and even normal citizens. Do you knw what happens to many of them when they are taken in? Well, u must know after all your angel like country did transfer some prisoners to be tortured in Egypt.
As for your beloved Israel, well its funny how the US keeps on stressing its support for the most brutal occupation in our times and well watch real news for a change to see how oppressive and criminal the Israeli regime is as for how they are perceived by the Israelis themselves, well Im sure Id trust the judgmenet of those who left their own lands to come and occupy the lands of others and saw and participated in crimes against the real owners for so many years.
So, as an American you are allowed to have your country make the choices you deem to be in your interests but we as Egyptians should not even talk about the dream of having the same thing right?!! As an Egyptian I want a regime that puts our interests before any thing else. There is no use in relying on a sole ally in the US, things have changed and we lost a lot bec of that one only ally attitude. So, I repeat in case u missed the point, we dnt want any thing from the US we just want you to stay out of it.
One last point about Iraqi elections, are you still not getting it that the winner from the war in Iraq was actually Iran?! Do you think the US has more power over the country than that of the Iranians? Do you not see how thanks to your stupid advisors you guys have made Iranian influence in the region stronger and now complaining about it?!! Do you knw why the US and Israel cant launch any attacks on Iran? Not that I have preferences but like I said things have changed in the region and the US is no longer the only player there. And while KSA and Egypt are still not warming up to Iran they certainly realized they cant leave things as is and they have been trying to gain Syria back.
You don't say. So you're saying that one has to be pro-US and Israeli policy or just shut up?
ReplyDeleteNo. I thought what I was saying was perfectly clear: People who are anti-US have no right to expect support from the US. And that includes an expectation that the US might somehow drop support for others who are NOT anti-US.
The constant whining about US support for repressive regimes is really an insult to the intelligence of Americans, too. ElBaradei himself has criticized the US for not working harder to have a good relationship with IRAN and SYRIA, which are far more oppressive than Egypt's Government. Does it make sense that ElBaradei wants the US to try to be friendly with repressive regimes that are anti-US, and wants the US to be hostile towards repressive regimes that are pro-US?
Maybe that makes sense in the ME, and in the west it looks like a farce.
did it occur to you that the reason El Baradie said so is bec he was trying to make the point that instead of waging another war in MENA, try to talk first and realize there is another way?!! Did you hear El Baradie meddling in Iranian or Syrian affairs like the US and making a judgment about whether or not their governments are repressive? Why do u have an issue with El Baradie btw? I take it you are one of those fools who fell for the NDP lies about the man being a leftist, anti-religion, MBH friend, anti-US and pro-Tehran and at the same time pro-US bec he lived there for so long.
ReplyDeleteAre Syria and Iran being anti-US while the US has shown nothing but friendly wishes?!! Isnt it a fact that the US has been hostile towards the 2 countries for so many years? Isnt it a fact that the US is one of the main reasons for destabilizing the region bec its failure to act as a fair mediator in the most major issue in the region and allowing Israel to continue its crimes and bullying? Isnt it a fact that while the US cries day and night about the potential may be perhaps Tehran will have nuclear powers, and after proven to have lied about the Iraqi WMD, it doent say one word about the Israeli Nuclear Power, already polluting the region and already directed against some of the the US allies like Egypt?!!
If the US choses to stand against the will of the ppl and change happens it will be to a great loss to the US, this is abc politics btw and Iran stands as a very clear example of what happens when the US keeps on supporting an outdated dictator. No one is asking any ting from the US other than to be true to its professed concerns for Human Rights (since it sticks its nose in every country's business and uses human rights and democracy slogans all the time), or to stay on the side. Of course your country is free to make its own choices but ppl like you need to remember that choices come at a cost and siding with the dictators will be costly to your country but well I guess someone like you who only sees us as mere servants to his goals and aspirations cant get that fact.
One last thing, its about time you realize your country isnt the sole power any more, your army is already stretched to its limits and you cant do a thing about Iran or Korea not bec those in your administration and lobbies always profiting from Wars came to their senses but more bec you cant afford it yet.
@Craig: dnt think this guy is anti-US too:
ReplyDelete"Washington would do well to back the popular el-Baradei, even if he refuses to toe the line. Better having independent-minded moderate allies with a popular mandate than more despots or military oligarchs. Have we learned nothing from Iran?
Washington hopes it can ease another compliant general into power and keep the security forces loyal before thirty years of pent-up fury at Mubarak's dictatorship, Egypt's political emasculation, thirst for change, and dire poverty produce a volcanic eruption on the Nile.
If Egypt erupts, the US-backed regimes of Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia could be next."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-margolis/egypt-the-next-volcano_b_553846.html
You've really hit the nail on the head with that one. The continuation of the italicized sentence you quoted from me was: "There was not a single sentence mentioned that said or implied that the US should actively help us to be anti-US. It was explicitly stated that: "No one wants any thing from the US other than to just stop supporting repressive regimes and blindly support Israel." "
ReplyDeleteYou might realize that there are some people who don't view the world as black and white (not in a racial sense, but that things just have two sides to them)/us and them or whatever. The world is not classified as Pro or Anti Us. Neither your government nor do ALL your own country-mates view the world this way.
If the US wants to support repressive regimes, as mentioned before, no one can stop. It just wastes our time to read endless b*llsh*t from people spewing ridiculous rhetoric about how the repressive regimes that don't kiss US b*tt are the ones that are evil in this world. THAT is what we're saying.
"ElBaradei himself has criticized the US for not working harder to have a good relationship with IRAN and SYRIA, which are far more oppressive than Egypt's Government. Does it make sense that ElBaradei wants the US to try to be friendly with repressive regimes that are anti-US, and wants the US to be hostile towards repressive regimes that are pro-US?"
Not working harder? In what context was this? The IAEA? Because I haven't heard him say anything about it outside that context. Now, if it WAS in the IAEA context, then Elbaradei was telling the US to follow international procedure and protocol as pertaining to WMDs and those two regimes.
I personally don't support the Iranian and Syrian regimes either but even I don't have the audacity to claim that if I pressure them in the context of a situation like the current WMD situation, KNOWING that there are a set of protocols and rules to be followed (which the US had a strong hand, with the other SC P5 countries, in creating), then I should expect no criticism. It doesn't make sense.
Also, what Elbaradei has said one more than one occasion, in the context of WMDs in general - but obviously in reference to Iran, Syria and N.Korea, was that peaceful negotiations will help everyone get what they want.
The US has always been antagonistic and threatening, in this context, and any claims to the contrary are easily belied by its actions.
"Does it make sense that ElBaradei wants the US to try to be friendly with repressive regimes that are anti-US, and wants the US to be hostile towards repressive regimes that are pro-US?"
I never claimed this. This was your own conclusion from what I have claimed was a false assumption. And obviously it doesn't make sense if you replace all the names of people and countries with any others.
So... don't YOU insult my intelligence and tell me that this logic might fly in the ME.