Rice criticizes Cairo on violence, justice

[maddezmom]

By Saul Hudson
CAIRO (Reuters) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday criticized emergency law, arbitrary justice and violence against peaceful demonstrators in Egypt and called on the Cairo government to "put its faith" in the people.

In a major policy speech at the American University in Cairo, Rice also said this year's Egyptian elections must meet objective standards for fairness, with unrestricted access for international monitors and observers.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit earlier on Monday promised that the presidential elections in September would be free, fair and transparent.

Egyptian officials have given similar promises before, without any change in the way the state media cover politics or in the police attitude toward protests and demonstrations.

~snip~
more: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=8837086

[trotsky]

1. "But that torture you do for us is A-OK!" n/t

[marmar]

2. To people around the world listening to this crap...

this must be the equivalent of listening to an alcoholic criticizing people for drinking to much.

[no_to_war_economy]

3. * better be careful what he wishes for

It was a reminder that while the US has contributed to the shift in climate in the Middle East, a real democratic opening, in the short term at least, may not serve US interests. Most in the region appear angry at America's close relationship with Israel and its invasion of Iraq, and say that statements prodding allies to reform haven't overcome decades of support for Arab dictators.

"There seems to be this assumption that if you're pro-democracy then you're pro-US foreign policy, and that's incredibly misleading,'' says Marc Lynch, a political scientist and expert on the Middle East at Williams College in Massachusetts.



... this 'Arab Spring' is gonna bite * in the arse

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0331/p01s04-wome.html

[DemoTex]

4. The Bu$h regime can dish it out, but they cannot take it.

Do as we say, not as we do.

[FormerOstrich]

5. I can't believe the...

shit we spew. I don't see how the other countries take these little scoldings. I guess that's why I'm not in politics or a diplomat. I'd be telling Rice to STFU.

[leesa]

6. This woman is a disaster in this role. All she does is run around and

condemn countries for doing the exact same thing we're doing. Well, what do you expect from someone who would lie under oathe?

[Eloriel]

12. Um can you name some role she WOULDN'T be a disaster in?

I mean legitimate role?

:evilgrin:

AFAIC, she's just a disaster, period.

[LynnTheDem]

7. emergency law, arbitrary justice & violence against peaceful demonstrators

Hmmm...like US-occupied IRAQ, under emergency law for going on 3 years?

Or perhaps she means like US-occupied IRAQ, where violence has surged every day?

Nah, I bet she means like US-occupied IRAQ, where the start of the destroying of the entire city of Fallujah began when US troops fired into a crowd of peaceful demonstrators.

[ninkasi]

9. Where to begin?

As you pointed out, LynTheDem, exactly like US occupied Iraq. While we literally get away with murder there, even here in the US itself, look at how hard the cons tried to cheat, bully minorities, lie, and in general create the conditions for another stolen election?

Does Rice truly believe that our demonstrations are allowed without police violence? How can it be a demonstration if Bush and Cheney keep us, citizens of the US, who pay their salaries, out of sight? They keep the chimp in a bubble, and only allow carefully screened right wingers near him.

After being caught in all of their lies, as documented by the DSM, I still can't believe that they can make these statements without being hit by lightening. I hate what they have done to this country, and I am shamed and deeply sorry for what they have done to Iraq.

[LynnTheDem]

11. And if it were only Americans who heard this crap, it wouldn't be as bad.

But the entire world hears it and KNOWS FOR FACT just what utter total hypocritical bullshit it is.

And that kind of bullying and hypocrisy makes us very deeply hated by the world. And although the rightwingnuts are not capable of figuring this out, being hated makes us less safe.

[Rose Siding]

8. NYT- Rice Challenges Saudi Arabia and Egypt on Democracy Issues

Can't tell if this was planned, or compensation for criticism about her remarks on the Iran election. Or is $58 barrel a tipping point- time to dangle "freedom" shoes in Abdullah's direction?

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 20 - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, delivering a blunt challenge to the United States's closest allies in the Arab world, called on Egypt and Saudi Arabia today to embrace democracy by holding elections, releasing political prisoners and allowing free expression and rights for women.

"For 60 years, my country, the United States, pursued stability at the expense of democracy in this region here in the Middle East, and we achieved neither," Ms. Rice declared at the American University in Cairo. "Now we are taking a different course. We are supporting the democratic aspirations of all people."

Ms. Rice's appeal, some of the toughest talk in the Arab world from a secretary of state, drew no applause and a mixed reaction in general, including criticism from Egyptian opposition groups demanding an even harder line. On the other hand, the Egyptian foreign minister, dismissing her comments, said Egypt's planned elections were already going to be free and fair.

http://nytimes.com/2005/06/20/international/middleeast/20cnd-diplo.html?ei=5094&en=636c4c42db1e66f8&hp=&ex=1119326400&adxnnl=1&partner=homepage&adxnnlx=1119304970-ZygbcctWXz4XE04wI8XujQ

[Media_Lies_Daily]

10. What a pile of hypocritical crap. The NeoCons are brazen....

...beyond belief. Lies, followed by lies, followed by more lies.