On Saturday, March 2, Secretary of State John Kerry departed Turkey for Egypt, where this past weekend he met with representatives across the spectrum of Egyptian political and civil society -- as well as our employees at the U.S. Embassy. The Secretary's candor in all of his meetings was refreshing for politicians and businessmen alike. In his meetings, Secretary Kerry conveyed a simple but serious message: "The brave Egyptians who stood vigil in Tahrir Square did not risk their lives to see that opportunity for a brighter future squandered. The Egyptian people must come together to address their economic challenge."
In light of Egypt's urgent needs and President Morsy's assurance that he plans to complete the IMF process, Secretary Kerry announced that the United States will now provide the first $190 million of our pledged $450 million in budget support funds in an effort to help the Egyptian people at this difficult time. The United States is also committed to providing direct support to key engines of democratic change in Egypt, including Egypt's entrepreneurs and its young people. To that end, Secretary Kerry announced the launch of the Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund and that the United States will fund a higher education initiative to help students, especially women, earn undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and business.
The Secretary's visit also proved to be a great morale boost to the embassy employees who lined up for photos and handshakes. You can follow the Secretary's travel to Europe and the Middle East on www.state.gov.
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Comments
Ashim C. in India writes:
450 million dollars... for keeping at bay forces of democracy & modernity.. many Muslim countries of Asia & Africa are watching and waiting for their opportunity...progress to democracy is a process and good democracy is an infinitely long process. Neither drone nor dollar will work ...kind of civil society activism that Tahrir square represented can lower the prestige and power of authority and even tear apart establishment like Hosni Mubarak in Egypt was but can hardly ever effectively and efficiently throw up institutions and leaders which can restore equilibrium in weak polities. In relatively stronger democracy like say India where everything seemed to work till strong one party dominant system encapsulated political pluralism of as extremely diverse society as India, much of civil society activism looks like so many acts of subversion. This may be true of many other countries in turmoil. The issue is who are the real forces behind them. Exposing them is the real challenge of international diplomacy. On the other hand look at an authoritarian regime like in China. Change of leadership and transition of power as it is unfolding seems so smooth. Who will listen to sermons for democracy ?
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Ashim C.,
When you see a duck in a pond, all seems calm and peaceful on the surface, but underneath there are feet paddling furiously.
And that is the way of things in a repressed society.
In a democracy, the fish are jumping in a political feeding frenzy, and such is the duality of perspectives.
Best,
EJ
Ashim C. in India writes:
@ Eric Interesting analogy and you have a point.
Darby W. in the U.S.A. writes:
An Egyptian friend of mine has lived in the United States for decades. He is financially well off and more than able to care for his brother who lives in Egypt. his brother fears for his life and wants to leave that country and live with his brother in the U.S.
There are no more surviving family members in my friend's family except for a sister.
Is there a process in place for uniting them?
Thanks-
Darby W.
DipNote Bloggers reply:
@ Darby -- Based on your comment, it appears that your friend's brother is seeking to become a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States. If your friend is a citizen of the United States, he may be able to file an immigrant visa petition for his brother. Information about immigrating to the United States is available at http://www.uscis.gov.
Melissa writes:
I just read an article by Tom Perry from Reuters about the recent Egyptians laws and arrests that have occurred in Egypt. One line in particular has stuck out to me:
"Criticism from Washington has drawn a sharp response from the Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, which accused the United States of meddling in Egyptian affairs."
If that is the thoughts of the majority in that nation, then I say we withdraw aid. If there are ones in the country that want our government's assistance, then let them apply for it. Handing out money to the Egyptian officials doesn't look like it is going to be spent on the intended purposes.
As a tax payer, I'm upset that tax dollars are being wasted. As long as there is a religious divide there will be violence- throwing money at the problem won't help.