releases: http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/egypt-should-be-treated-friend-and-ally-we-look-strengthen-our-important-security
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/egypt-should-be-treated-friend-and-ally-we-look-strengthen-our-important-security | Egypt Should Be Treated As a Friend and Ally as We Look to Strengthen Our Important Security Partnership and Improve Human Rights, Says Ros-Lehtinen | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | FL | Ileana Ros-Lehtinen | R000435 | ros-lehtinen.house.gov | legacy | Egypt Should Be Treated As a Friend and Ally as We Look to Strengthen Our Important Security Partnership and Improve Human Rights, Says Ros-Lehtinen The Egyptian people should know that they do have a friend in the United States. A friend who is ready to be a better partner, a stronger ally, and one who is ready to assist when asked in order to achieve the stable, prosperous, open, and inclusive nation that Egyptians all deserve (Washington, DC) U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, made the following statement at a subcommittee hearing entitled, Egypt Two Years After Morsi (Part II). Statement by Ros-Lehtinen: I would first like to express my deepest condolences to my dear friend and the Ranking Member of our Subcommittee, Ted Deutch. Teds mother, Jean, passed away last week and I know that the hearts of every member of this committee go out to Ted and his family during this time. * * * * * This is the second part of a hearing that we began in May, looking at Egypts transition since Mohamed Morsi was removed from power. In the hearing earlier this year, we heard some differences of opinion about the best way to move forward with our policy on Egypt, including exactly how much leverage the United States has or should attempt to wield over Egypts domestic affairs. Egypt is an important ally and security partner for the United States. Egypts strategic location, its assurance of safe passage through the Suez Canal, its peace treaty with Israel, and its demographics and cultural influence all mean that Egypt will continue to play a positive crucial role in the Middle East in the years ahead. Egypt is in a struggle with terrorism and Islamic jihadist groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda a struggle that will not be over, sadly, anytime soon. It is essential that we maintain alliances like the one that we have with Egypt, not only as a partner in providing logistical support in the region, but also as a participant in our shared fight against a twisted, radical Islamic ideology. Egypts strong relationship with Israel, particularly with regard to their anti-terrorism cooperation in the Sinai, is also a strategic benefit to us in the United States especially in a region that so often appears bent on Israels destruction. Yes, we have significant human rights concerns with Egypt, including inexcusable restrictions on freedom of the press, assembly, association, and expression. Yes, reports of deplorable prison conditions, torture, and inhumane treatment and discrimination of women and minorities should not and must not be swept under the rug. These issues must be addressed and I continue to call on Egypt to improve its human rights practices and to allow more political space for Egyptian civil society. The Egyptians are increasingly looking elsewhere for friends and allies outside of the United States, and it doesnt help when the Obama administration keeps sending mixed messages. We can work with Egypt to improve our security relationship; to push for the human rights changes we want to see; and to help it toward a long-term stability, economic growth, and progress on the democracy front that President Sisi himself has advocated. Because make no mistake, long-term stability will only come with the kind of prosperity, respect for human rights, and self-determination that allows all Egyptians to feel they have a say in the future of their beloved country. Egypt just finished the last runoff in its long-delayed parliamentary elections and while initial observation reports do not indicate significant progress, I am hopeful that the new legislature will be able to make greater strides in the months ahead. As we all know, democracy is more than just elections and both the Sisi government and the new legislature should use this time to set the stage for a full democratic transition in the future. One sign of goodwill that President Sisi could make immediately is pardoning the 43 pro-democracy NGO workers who were wrongly convicted in 2013 under Morsi. Correcting Morsis mistakes this way would go a long way in demonstrating President Sisis commitment to a democratic future, and in repairing the damage that both Morsi and the Obama Administration did to the U.S.-Egypt relationship. Despite the Obama Administrations missteps, the Egyptian people should know that they do have a friend in the United States. A friend who is ready to be a better partner, a stronger ally, and one who is ready to assist when asked in order to achieve the stable, prosperous, open, and inclusive nation that Egyptians all deserve. Lastly, I would like to once again thank my good friend from Virginia, our Ranking Member acting today in this capacity. I know that Mr. Connolly has followed these issues for years ever since he was a Senate staffer on the Foreign Relations Committee. In June of 2013, Mr. Connolly and I, as a matter of fact, asked GAO for a study a report on U.S. foreign assistance to Egypt and in a couple of days, we will receive the third installment of our report. And I know we are looking forward to that. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |