US’s new Egypt envoy linked to Mubarak regime

[babsbunny]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/02/egypt-envoy-linked-mubarak/

By Agence France-Presse
Monday, February 7th, 2011 -- 9:07 pm

WASHINGTON — The United States on Monday defended the choice of veteran diplomat Frank Wisner to head a mission to Egypt even though he works for a firm with past work for President Hosni Mubarak's government.

Wisner was at the center of controversy Saturday when he suggested that Mubarak should stay in power during a democratic transition in the protest-hit nation. President Barack Obama's administration quickly distanced itself.

The retired diplomat has served as ambassador to Egypt, India and other nations. He has worked since 2009 for Patton Boggs, a US law firm that represented interests of Egypt and several other Arab states in the past.