US stays with Egyptian Dictator

[struggle4progress]

“America will stand with the allies of freedom to support democratic movements in the Middle East and beyond, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.”

With these .. words in the 2005 State of the Union .., President .. Bush swore to overturn the .. policy of backing .. dictators in .. Egypt and Saudi Arabia. At the .. World Economic Forum in Jordan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State .. Cheney reiterated this “transformational vision” to the assembled Arab political and business leaders. For 60 years, said the vice president’s daughter, Washington had .. backed the .. status quo in exchange for stability — but no longer. Now the .. big talk about democracy .. has met — and flunked — a major test. In Egypt, .. Kifaya .. burst onto the scene in December 2004. The .. activists .. took to the streets to demand that .. Mubarak step down. On four occasions, the regime has presented Egyptians with a yes-or-no referendum on continuation of Mubarak’s presidency — but never allowed anyone else to run. In January, Mubarak seemed poised to pull the same trick ... Mubarak appeared to relent, pledging to adjust the .. constitution .. for a multi-candidate .. election rather than .. another rubber-stamping. But when it came time to approve the amendment, the Egyptian parliament .. came up with .. rules that .. lock in the status quo. Only parties recognized by the government can field a candidate,.. and independent hopefuls are required to collect 300 signatures from .. local councils .. controlled by .. loyalists ... On the day of the .. vote, .. demonstrators labeled the measure “theatrics” and .. published a statement accusing the ruling party of “aborting people’s hopes for freedom and democracy.” A week beforehand, Bush .. seemed to agree, saying .. the .. election should proceed “with rules that allow for a real campaign.”

But .. the US has backtracked. When the .. prime minister came to Washington, Bush did not.. dress him down. First Lady .. Bush .. called the democracy-limiting measure “a very wise and bold step” .. during her recent Middle East tour .. <The> Bush administration .. came out in favor of the authoritarian regime as it works to fend off popular demands for change ...

.. Arabs regard Egypt as the bellwether indicating the prevailing political winds. By turning its back as the .. regime squelches .. democracy .., the .. administration is giving .. license to other regimes to follow suit. When it comes to U.S. allies, it would seem, Bush’s big talk about democracy is nothing but talk.

Chris Toensing is editor of “Middle East Report,” published by the Middle East Research and Information Project in Washington, D.C. MERIP is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization. www.merip.org <snip>

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