Friday, December 30, 2011

Arabs Foil Hillary But Will EU Follow US?

Those Arabs.

Just when it looks good, and Hillary Clinton is really upset at Israel's supposed "democracy" faults, look what happens:

Egyptian security forces on Thursday raided the offices of 17 nongovernmental organizations, including three U.S.-based agencies, as part of a crackdown on foreign assistance that has drawn criticism from the West and threatened human rights groups and pro-democracy movements.

The move appeared to be part of a strategy to intimidate international organizations...The military's actions angered Washington at a time the White House is pressuring Egypt to respect civil liberties..."This action is inconsistent with the bilateral cooperation we have had over many years," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said at a news briefing after the raids. "We call on the Egyptian government to immediately end the harassment of NGO staff, return all property and resolve this issue immediately."

And pay attention to the highlighted portion of the transcript:

QUESTION: What do you think this says more broadly about Egypt’s commitment to democracy?

MS. NULAND: Well, again, as you know, we believe that these NGOs are there to support the democratic process. Some of these are institutions that are supported by the United States Government, that work around the world in the interests of helping citizens realize their goals of democratic processes taking root in their country. And we have been very open and transparent with Egyptian authorities at all levels, particularly about the operating procedures and policies of NDI, IRI, and other international – other NGOs that we support. So we are very concerned, because this is not appropriate in the current environment.

I wonder: is the US open with Israel about its support, as well?

And if so, as it should be expected to be, will the EU follow suit and act the honorable way with transparency as regards their interventionist policies?

I'll ask NGO-Monitor.

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