Note to Egypt: Strength through ignorance doesn’t work

The New York Times 02/06/12

“Egypt Defies US by Setting Trail for 19 Americans”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/06/world/middleeast/egypt-will-try-19-americans-on-criminal-charges.html?pagewanted=2&%2359;seid=auto&%2359;smid=tw-nytimesnational&amp

Egypt’s military-led govt said Sunday that it would put 19 American and two dozen others on trial in a politically charged criminal investigation into the foreign financing of nonprofit groups that has shaken the 30-year alliance between the US and Egypt.

Angry protesters are battling security forces in the streets of the capital and other major cities.  The economy is in urgent need of billions of dollars in foreign aid.  And the military rulers are in the final stages of negotiations with the Islamists who dominate the new Parliament over the terms of a transfer of power that could set the country’s course for decades. 

The criminal prosecution is a rebuke to Washington in the face of increasingly stern warning to Egypt’s ruling generals from President Obama, cabinet officials and senior Congressional leaders that it could jeopardize $1.55 billion in expected American aid the year including $1.3 billion for the military.

Although the charges against the 19 Americans are part of a broader crackdown on as many as nine nonprofit groups here its most prominent targets are two American-financed groups with close ties to the Congressional leadership, the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican institute.  Both are chartered to promote democracy abroad with nonpartisan training and election monitoring.

They have been charged with violating legal restrictions on nonprofit groups left over from Mr. Mubarak’s govt that in effect kept virtually every independent civil society organization here in a kind of legal twilight subject to raid and arrests at any time.

Common Sense Review

As a country you have just revolted against a tyrannical regime and in a proclaimed effort for democracy overturn that govt. Now in power, you seek foreign aid and assistance yet when assistance comes in the form of non-profit organization, you arrest the people involved.   

So in an effort to show you strength, you enforce a rule created by the tyrant that you just over through, causing an international incident with the country you are hoping to get $3.2 billion for you economy.

I see great leadership coming out of Egypt!