Aswani: Does the world want a democratic Egypt?
Issandr El Amrani | Egypt US turkey Unfortunately, Egypt’s history is replete with lost opportunities for democratization. We now have another opportunity, which I hope will not be lost. The 25 January revolution forced Hosni Mubarak to step down. Hundreds of Egyptians sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. Since its inception, however, the revolution was confronted with a vicious counter-revolution — both inside and outside of Egypt.
A few days ago, the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Dar reported that Egyptian authorities are under massive pressure from Arab rulers, especially from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to ensure that Mubarak is not tried. The report asserted that these Arab states had directly threatened to freeze all relations with Cairo, cut all financial assistance, and withdraw their investments from Egypt. They even went as far as threatening to dismiss the 5 million Egyptians working in those countries, if Mubarak were to be tried.
For its part, Israel always defended Hosni Mubarak, one of its best allies. The Israeli press does not conceal its concerns about meaningful democratic change in Egypt. The US administration has a similar position. Both American and Israeli officials recognize Egypt’s potential and know it will become a powerful regional force in a matter of years, if it becomes a democracy.
He's right — unfortunately, both regional players and the West have little interest in an Egyptian democracy if that means real debate about foreign and economic policy of the kind we've seen in Turkey. Just look how some think-tankers in Washington have sought to encourage US support of the Turkish military on the basis that it is secularist (as opposed to the AKP) even as it was revealed that it attempted to stage a coup.
Reader Comments (13)
I sincerely hope that the Egyptians are not that foolish to walk into this trap. The height of abmination was when Joe Lieberman and John McCain walked Tahrir Sqaure. As if they cared about Egyptians and democracy in Egypt. Also, when Hillary Clinton visited, saying that the US wants to see a democratic Egypt aligned with US interests, as US wants. It's none other than shameful to make a comment as such.
Democraty or ochlocraty ?
The question is: can the so called western democratic world handel a democratic Egypt
Tarek - I couldn't have put it better myself re: "The height of abmination was when Joe Lieberman and John McCain walked Tahrir Square."
I suggest that the big powers fight among themselves as much as they fight all new comers. Just is the condition of mechanistic thinking which infects the entire civilized world. But pay attention to Brazil, which until recently was never given a seat at the leadership table. Just proceed with your revolution, don't be afraid to challenge those small minded folks who attempt bribery and extortion, and over time as Egypt through excellence and expression of obvious local talent achieves the full glory that has long awaited it, will like Brazil one day be seen as one of the big boys.
As an American archaeologist I respect the people of Egypt immensely. They have done incredible things throughout the entirety of their existence and I think it is time for Egypt to incredible again. As long as they keep fighting and make damn sure that they stay out of the pocket of US corporate interests, I have the utmost belief in them. They deserve all the freedom and self independence that their great hearts desire.
Deomcracy = freedom, theoretically, and Egyptians deserve it. But what if an Islamist party gains power and pushes through Shariah laws that disenfranchise women and non-Muslims? We in the West find it interesting that Arabs expect us to be tolerant, yet many Arabs seem intorerant of Christians, woman's power, and Jews. There are obviously lots of historical grievances and misunderstanding, but you can understand that there is a lot of fear of what could go wrong. Just look at democracy in Pakistan, which has plunged the country into chaos and political assasinations. I hope moderate Egypians will prevail, but I am afraid it's usually the extremists that dominate as they use terror to silence the voice of reason. Good luck to all you peaceful freedom advocates.
Colonel Trojan Qaddafi
www.zoharme.com
Graphic Commentaries on the Middle East
I think the more salient question is: Does Egypt want a democracy?
I sincerely hope Egypt has the will and can find the way to resist the pressures of the UAE led by Saudi Arabia - they deserve real democracy, not the corporate controlled facade of democracy that has all but destroyed America...
BLACKOUT: Deprivation of sight – the death of democracy
Posted on March 23, 2011 by admin
http://www.dailyfumes.com/?p=1062
If other Arab countries actually cut financial ties to Egypt because of the audacity of trying Mubarak, the EU should make a public declaration that it would bail Egypt out. I'm German and I would lobby my government to do that.
I know we have our own financial problems right now and with any bail-out come strings attached. But Portugal has just rejected the latest austerity measures imposed by the EU (which Germany lobbied for) and Ireland is also currently re-negotiating their agreement with the EU. After the events in Japan, Merkel is completely discredited here at home; can't wait to see what happens in 3 days.
Anyway, bailing out Egypt is ultimately about empowering the Arab people themselves... sending a signal that the West will defend its so-called democratic values by countering repressive actions by arbitrary rulers. Especially when the these rulers resort to foreign meddling themselves.
The phrase "never touch a running system" makes clear why some politicians may fear a democratic Egypt.
It ist just that they don't like changes because they don't know what could happen afterwards.
Even if these fears exist, I thing they will be happy afterwards, that the change occurred, because change is not only a threat it is also an opportunity.
But at first we have to wait if Egypt will be democratised.
I hope the opportunity of democratisation will not be lost...
I actually think the United States can benefit from democratic reform in the Middle East. Turkey is actually a good example of how democracy in the region does not greatly hurt the United States and in fact can benefit it.
Democratic governments in the Middle East would still have an interest in allying with the United States. And it's hardly as if our current allies do us much good anyway (I'm American).
I have a longer take on the possibilities of democratization for American interests here:
http://aljawaala.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-madness-is-americas-influence-in.html