WP: Egyptian Democracy Muzzled (due to U.S. props)

[kskiska]

(snip)

In what was widely regarded as one of his most important speeches of 2003, President Bush proclaimed in November that it was time for the United States to support democracy in the Middle East. He said the establishment of a free Iraq would be "a watershed event in the global democratic revolution." And he called upon Egypt, the Arab world's most populous country and the second-biggest recipient of U.S. military and economic aid, to be in the vanguard.

"The great and proud nation of Egypt has shown the way toward peace in the Middle East, and now should show the way toward democracy in the Middle East," Bush declared.

U.S. officials insist they are seeing slow but positive changes in human rights conditions here. But rights advocates, opposition politicians and analysts interviewed here paint a darker portrait: of an authoritarian government that tightens or loosens the screws of repression depending upon how it perceives threats, that is obsessed with its Islamic opposition and feels harassed by human rights activists, and that wields a powerful state security apparatus that operates under far-reaching emergency laws and often deals brutally with opponents.

And they contend that, contrary to Bush's pronouncements, U.S. aid -- nearly $2 billion per year over the past two decades -- has propped up an unpopular government, its army and police, and helped suppress democracy.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57219-2004Jan5.html

[DuctapeFatwa]

1. The definition of democracy has changed

Today, when used in the US to refer to US properties in other parts of the world, it means a regime that keeps the populace poor and preferably illiterate, and puts US business interests first and foremost, as it is paid to do.

[truthspeaker]

6. no change. same definition was used in the Cold War

I remember my high school days when we supported "democratic" governments in El Salvador, Honduras, Peru, and Guatemala. And let's never forget how we supported democracy in Chile in 1973 by sponsoring a military coup against a democratically elected government.

[J B]

2. Democracy...?

Look, I like democracy, but let's not kid ourselves. Osama might get elected in a free and fair election in that country. Germany has all sorts of restrictions on "democracy" for the same reasons.

[daleo]

3. I hope Bush doesn't find it necessary to put similar restrictions

on the upcoming U.S. elections. Restricting democracy is the kind of habit that can become hard to break.

[akitamata]

4. I doubt you...

"like democracy". Posting fear-inducing propaganda for a dictatorship on this forum seems an anti-democratic action. Democracy comes from the people, JB, not from fascist hierarchies, as surely as monarchy does not come from "some farcical aquatic ceremony" (thanks to M.Python for the line). To support democracy means to put faith in the ability of "common folk" to decide for themselves what system of government BEST suits THEIR needs. AmeriKKKan-style "democracy" fosters the will of the wealthy, the ruthless, the dishonest and the blatantly criminal. Perhaps you should re-read the words of the enlightened founders of your now nearly deceased republic. I think you might be surprised at what they intended. It is surely NOT what you are espousing. OSAMA? You forget that the problem is NOT with the forces of resistance, but with the forces of oppression.

Think, before it's too late.
Respectfully, Akita

[Aidoneus]

7. well put, thanks..

[cthrumatrix]

5. black is white....left is right. You can't keep track of "shrub speech"