White House criticizes Egypt on rights

White House criticizes Egypt on rights:

NEW YORK - The White House on Monday voiced displeasure with recent decisions in Egypt to crack down on dissenting voices within the media and to close a human rights group, saying it is "deeply concerned" about the moves.

"These latest decisions appear to contradict the Egyptian government's stated commitment to expand democratic rights," White House press secretary Dana Perino said.

The unusual public statement of discontent with the leadership in Egypt came as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was having dinner in New York with Egypt's foreign minister.

One supposes that this may have more to do with being embarrassed by the Washington Post again than anything else -- another statement that carries no teeth and serves a domestic purpose.