Scobey: U.S. Working to Fulfill Promises in Obama’s Cairo Speech

U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Margaret Scobey issued remarks yesterday on U.S. democracy promotion in the Middle East and Egypt, reiterating President Obama’s affirmation in his 2009 Cairo address of the U.S.’s commitment to supporting democracy and promote human rights, as well as the its pledge to uphold the principles of freedom of speech, rule of law and justice, transparent and legitimate governance, and freedom of choice throughout the world. Scobey stated, “I am happy to report that we have been hard at work over the past year, both in Egypt and in the region, to make this vision a reality. I think everyone standing here today understands this is no easy task, and it can’t happen overnight, but I do think we are beginning to see results.” Scobey also said that President Obama has made clear that the U.S. does not seek to impose its specific system of government on other countries, but that it expects nations to build democratic, representative institutions according to their own traditions.

Scobey mentioned specific U.S. initiatives in Egypt in support of the goals outlined in the Cairo speech, including increased U.S. funding for post-graduate education; a doubling of the U.S. contribution to science and technology education; and projects to develop entrepreneurship in Egypt, including $455 million in new approved financing to establish 5 private equity investment funds. Scobey also stated, “we are focusing our support to democracy and human rights in Egypt through support to Egyptian civil society that can be the source of social and economic and political innovation that will benefit all of Egypt,” indicating U.S. support for Egyptian NGOs as a potential catalyst for democracy.

The Ambassador’s comments came on the occasion of an Independence Day celebration at the embassy, and against the background of escalating controversy, protests, and public outrage against Egypt’s human rights record following the alleged brutal beating and murder of Khalid Said by police. On that note, Al-Masry Al-Youm today released the second half of an interview with the victim’s uncle, Ali Qassem, who vowed that the family would seek an independent autopsy of Said’s body and work to see justice done on the case. Qassem also argued that the killing was premeditated, saying that police tailed Said for a month before his death, after they suspected him of circulating a video purportedly showing policemen carrying out a drug deal. Qassem thanked Egyptian demonstrators and human rights organizations for their support and encouraged Egyptian youth to keep protesting the Emergency Law, stating, “You can easily be assaulted in the context of the Emergency Law… Keep being active and expressing your solidarity in a peaceful and civilized manner. This is your country, not their country. You own its present and its future.”