Mubarak's Appeasement of the New American Administration
Voice of the Copts
The Egyptian government unexpectedly released Ayman Nour, one of the
thousands of political opponents, who are rotting in Egyptian jails.
The official information indicated that the decision to release him was
taken on medical grounds
was a political decision, and assured that he would go back to practicing
his "role as a politician through the Ghad party".
The charismatic secular politician Nour ran for President in 2005 and dared
to challenge President Mubarak. He was convicted in 2005 of forging
signatures on petitions he had filed to create his party, for 5 years
imprisonment with hard labor. His supporters claim the charges were
trumped-up.
The deteriorating health condition of Mr. Nour was known for a couple
years, and he and his wife Gamila, made several appeals but no one in the
government listened, so why this sudden change of heart, and why just now?
Nour himself has declared more the once in the past, that the Egyptian
government wanted him to die in jail????
Presently, President Mubarak is feeling he lost his Arab friends, heavily
criticized by many for his handling of the Gaza affair, and is surrounded
with internal and external problems. He can no longer go and stay in his
refuge in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh, away from all problems, as
most Egyptians tend to believe.
The timing of Nour's release at this point in time is very interesting, and
much to do with it, is the future relationship between the United States'
new administration and the Egyptian government of the 81-year-old dictator
Mubarak, who ruled over Egypt since 1981.
The United States now have a new President who is different from all his
predecessors. A President who was grew up in the black minority and son of a
Kenyan. With less than a month in office, Mr. Obama has shown his
sensitivity towards discrimination and human rights.
In fact, as per Washington post (article published at
ww.voiceofthecopts.org) a clear message was sent from the new administration
to Mubarak concerning his political opponents and the right of Egyptians to
democracy and freedom.
The release of the most serious political opponent, although he might be a
lame duck politically as his original five-year sentence bars him from
politics for years after his prison release, was made just to appease the
United States government.
This move is a clear indication of how anxious the Mubarak regime is, now
more than ever, about its relationship with the United States, not to
mention the 2 billion dollars, in aid and handouts received annually from
Uncle Sam in the States.
Furthermore it shows a desperate and humbling gesture on the part of Mubarak
to receive an invitation to the White House.
The feeling now is that the western leaders, but overall President Obama
understands Mubarak's game well, and would like to see certain moves from
him, as a sign of good will for permanent change.
When the Washington Post sent its message, it arrived clearly to the Cairene
palaces, and Ayman Nour was immediately freed.
Now, that the first signs of relent are coming from Mubarak, the United
States new administration needs to press ahead with its plans for demanding
more freedom in that part of the world, and respect for human rights.
Mr. Obama, who had a Kenyan father, became the President of the most
powerful country of the world; in Egypt, in the third millennium, a Copt
still lives in his own homeland, persecuted and discriminated against, just
because of his faith.
As a human right organization, we are looking for a permanent change in laws
to guarantee personal freedom. We demand full rights for the Copts in their
own homeland, and not even a life of a Dhimmi!
We do not want a flowery speech from a Mr. Mubarak standing next to
President Obama, promising things that would never materialize, or worst
still, denying facts of human rights abuses that are documented by numerous
human rights organizations and activists. We do not want to hear that he is
President of all Egyptians, much repeated words, with nothing to show for
it.
We also hope that Secretary Of State Clinton, who is quite aware of the
Coptic Issue, will not be intimidated like her predecessor, who was rebuffed
by the Egyptian regime for interfering in domestic matters, when requesting
human rights reforms.
More Copts are killed, without any Muslim ever brought to task; more girls
are kidnapped and forced into Islam, more escalation in the attacks against
their Churches. It has now reached the stage, even when the Copts get the
odd permission through a Presidential decree for a new church; the mobs
surround it with the terrified Copts inside, chanting Jihadi songs,
demanding its closure, which the State Security is only too happy to oblige.
As a matter of fact, the era of President Mubarak has been a disaster for
the Copts.
If only Egypt would go back in time 1400 years, back to its old
civilization. We want westerners to visit our country without fear, we need
western investors to have trust in an Egyptian economical stability, which
is presently non-existent, and would never happen until Egypt reaches a
certain level of democracy and freedom.
As for the Copts they want recognition of their full rights and are no
longer willing to accept from President Mubarak, the all stick and no carrot
strategy!!!
Voice of the Copts
Dott. Arch.Ashraf Ramelah,
Associate AIA
President
www.lavocedeicopti.org
www.voiceofthecopts.org