Egypt condemns European Union threats to halt aid as death toll rises

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Guardian

Egypt has flatly rejected a warning by the European Union that it will "urgently review" its aid to the country against a background of mounting international concern about the deteriorating situation and the huge loss of life in the last few days.

Nabil Fahmy, foreign minister in the military-backed interim government, warned on Sunday against the "internationalisation" of a crisis he described as Egypt's internal affair and criticised the "silence" of foreigners on attacks he blamed on the Muslim Brotherhood.

Reflecting a defiant official mood in Cairo, Fahmy ignored a public statement by the British foreign secretary, William Hague, who sought to strike a careful balance by condemning the "disproportionate use of force by the security forces or violent actions by some demonstrators". The statement was issued after the two men spoke on Saturday night, the Foreign Office said.

Diplomats said that Egypt was furious at last week's British and French calls for a private UN security council debate on the escalating crisis. Ban ki-Moon, the secretary-general, has expressed his concern and is sending a senior UN official to Cairo. More than 800 people, mostly Brotherhood supporters, were killed last week in the worst violence since President Mohamed Morsi was deposed in early July.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/18/egypt-eu-aid-death-toll

[azurnoir]

1. ah but Egypt's new ruler have a neighborly friend

Report: Israel urges West to back Egypt's military

Jerusalem launching campaign to urge Europe, United States to support military-backed government in Egypt, New York Times reports. 'What’s the alternative? it’s army or anarchy,' says Israeli official

"We’re trying to talk to key actors, key countries, and share our view that you may not like what you see, but what’s the alternative?” the official explained. “If you insist on big principles, then you will miss the essential — the essential being putting Egypt back on track at whatever cost. First, save what you can, and then deal with democracy and freedom and so on.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4419455,00.html

[freshwest]

2. But, some from the right and left say the USA should not give aid either.

That if we do, we are supporting violence.

You can give them money, but if you try to order how it's spent, you're wrong. And if they spend it for bad things, you're wrong. Plus, if they spend it for good things, it's still bad because they are bad.

Now this article goes full circle and says if you don't give the money, you're wrong. No matter what any western group or government does, it will be wrong.

That's why a lot of people just tune it out. Nothing will help. And nothing will help. Two meanings that reflect the situation.

[John2]

3. The Egyptian military

will not take orders from outsiders. They hold some very good cards in the deck. They have a Treaty with Israel and the Suez Canal. They can also open up relations with the enemies of the West. They are just thumbing their noses at the West. I don't think the Europeans or the West will invade Egypt either. They have to negotiate.