NGO Workers Released From Egypt
In Egypt's first test of political and judicial independence, it appears they blinked under pressures applied by the US. The Egyptian military facing a loss of up to 1.3-1.5bm in annual aid apparently gave way to a compromise. While the charges still remain in effect and the case against Sam Lahood among others is promised to go forward, the accused were allowed to leave the country after posting a reported $4.5 million bond.
This get out of jail dough now allows each individual to decide whether to return to Egypt for further legal proceedings.
How this story is going to play out on the Egyptian street remains to be seen, as many polled felt the subtle presence of outside interference and were willing to hold the NGO workers for trial despite US threats of withholding military and economic funding. The 15 workers included eight Americans, three Serbians, two Germans, a Norwegian and a Palestinian, Egypt's official news agency said.
"We are very pleased that the Egyptian courts have now lifted the travel ban on our NGO employees. The U.S. government has provided a plane to facilitate their departure and they have left the country. They are currently en route home," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.
Still, the State Dept. contends that the release didn't deal with broader U.S. concerns over Egypt's transition to democracy. "The departure of our people doesn't resolve the legal case or the larger issues concerning the NGOs," per State Dept. spokesperson Victoria Nuland.
This may be another issue that'll percolate under the radar of "strained relations" until the Egyptian military relinquishes power of governance to an internationally recognized and Democratically elected government. Until then, one can expect fits and starts and stumbles and sprints as the Egyptians reconfigure their nation. The Egyptian people might achieve true independence and national pride sooner than later, if they can find a way to make do with less "direct" assistance from foreigners.
While the US has a strong interest in seeing a flourishing Democracy take place in Egypt for regional stability, more politically savvy Egyptians are suspicious that any outside assistance will come with a price. Considering Egypt's neighbors and the US' commitment to said neighbors, Egyptians will always be painfully aware-that by comparison they'll never be more than a stepchild in America's family of friends.
In Egypt's first test of political and judicial independence, it appears they blinked under pressures applied by the US. The Egyptian military facing a loss of up to 1.3-1.5bm in annual aid apparently gave way to a compromise. While the charges still remain in effect and the case against Sam Lahood among others is promised to go forward, the accused were allowed to leave the country after posting a reported $4.5 million bond.
This get out of jail dough now allows each individual to decide whether to return to Egypt for further legal proceedings.
How this story is going to play out on the Egyptian street remains to be seen, as many polled felt the subtle presence of outside interference and were willing to hold the NGO workers for trial despite US threats of withholding military and economic funding. The 15 workers included eight Americans, three Serbians, two Germans, a Norwegian and a Palestinian, Egypt's official news agency said.
"We are very pleased that the Egyptian courts have now lifted the travel ban on our NGO employees. The U.S. government has provided a plane to facilitate their departure and they have left the country. They are currently en route home," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.
Still, the State Dept. contends that the release didn't deal with broader U.S. concerns over Egypt's transition to democracy. "The departure of our people doesn't resolve the legal case or the larger issues concerning the NGOs," per State Dept. spokesperson Victoria Nuland.
This may be another issue that'll percolate under the radar of "strained relations" until the Egyptian military relinquishes power of governance to an internationally recognized and Democratically elected government. Until then, one can expect fits and starts and stumbles and sprints as the Egyptians reconfigure their nation. The Egyptian people might achieve true independence and national pride sooner than later, if they can find a way to make do with less "direct" assistance from foreigners.
While the US has a strong interest in seeing a flourishing Democracy take place in Egypt for regional stability, more politically savvy Egyptians are suspicious that any outside assistance will come with a price. Considering Egypt's neighbors and the US' commitment to said neighbors, Egyptians will always be painfully aware-that by comparison they'll never be more than a stepchild in America's family of friends.
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