Rice makes a case for democracy in the Muslim world
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a forceful case for democracy in the Muslim world yesterday, telling Egypt’s conservative government leaders “the fear of free choices can no longer justify the denial of liberty.”
Rice’s remarks were to some 700 invited government officials, academics and other guests at the American University in Cairo. The setting is notable, both because Egypt plans multi-party elections in the autumn and because the Bush administration has made no secret of its dissatisfaction with political progress and the treatment of opposition figures by the government of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
“For 60 years, my country, the US, pursued stability at the expense of democracy in this region, here in the Middle East, and we achieved neither,” Rice said. “Now, we are taking a different course. We are supporting the democratic aspirations of all people.”
She noted US President George Bush, in his second inaugural address, said the US would not try to impose an American style of government on the unwilling and that the goal of his administration was to help others find their own voice.
“Throughout the Middle East the fear of free choices can no longer justify the denial of liberty. It is time to abandon the excuses that are made to avoid the hard work of democracy.”
Rice took the governments of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, both close US allies, to task for cracking down on dissent.
In Saudi Arabia, she noted, three people are currently in jail for petitioning the government.
“That should not be a crime in any country,” she said.
She lauded Mubarak for calling for elections but said she was concerned for the future of Egypt’s reforms because of the violence that has faced “peaceful supporters of democracy.”
“President Mubarak has unlocked the door for change. Now, the Egyptian government must put its faith in its own people,” Rice said. “The Egyptian government must fulfil the promise it has made to its people, and to the entire world, by giving its citizens the freedom to choose.”
Sanaa Eid, an AUC alumnus and a former banker, said the speech left her hoping for more answers. “The Americans want to impose their control on the country not only for the sake of democracy. It is our right, and we are very, very eager to be like them in democracy, but I don’t feel that this brings results.”
Moheb Zaki, a senior adviser to a pro-US think tank, said he wished that Rice’s speech had been more forceful. “People are claiming that the US has no business interfering in Egypt’s business. Actually, the US, it has a strategic interest here. Then it is their business, also, to see that democracy is implemented in every place in the world.”
Injy Mohammed, an economics major at Cairo University, said she was happy to hear Rice reiterate she is not trying to impose democracy. “I like most the part that democracy is never imposed and would never be imposed by America. This is the message she wants to deliver everywhere.”
Rice offered a brief checklist for democracy to supporters and opponents of established governments. “They must accept the rule of law. They must reject violence. They must respect the standards of free elections. And they must peacefully accept the results,” she told her audience.
Rice also delivered a blunt slap at Hamas, which the US labels a terrorist organisation but which is a growing political force across the Mideast.
“For all citizens with grievances, democracy can be a path to lasting justice. But the democratic system cannot function if certain groups have one foot in the realm of politics and one foot in the camp of terror,” Rice said.
Earlier yesterday at a news conference in Sharm-el-Sheik, Rice said the world will be watching the elections. Her Egyptian counterpart promised the voting will be free, fair and open.
“Who would object to fair and transparent elections?” Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said. “It will be so, I assure you.”
Rice said she had discussed preparations for the elections with Mubarak, who surprised Washington and other Arab nations this spring when he announced his country would hold its first multi-party elections.
Limits on who can run and scattered violence and thuggery during a preparatory referendum raised international doubt that Mubarak is serious about reform. However, the Bush administration has mostly praised Mubarak, while thrashing Iran’s Islamic leadership for placing somewhat similar limitations on the slate of candidates in elections this past weekend.
Rice said the Egyptian voting must include an opportunity for opposition candidates to air their messages and said it is important “that there be a sense of competition.”
“I believe our Egyptian friends understand that and that they will take their responsibility seriously because people will watch what happens in Egypt,” Rice said.
Rice also said the US is not passing judgment on other countries but is offering the world an example of open government where dissent and controversy are commonplace.
“What people on earth don’t want to be able to say what they think and worship as they please,” Rice said.
Aboul Gheit said he told Rice the claims of mistreatment of the Koran and abuse of prisoners by US troops at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq resonated strongly in the Arab world.
“I told you also that there is anger in the region and we have to work on this anger,” he said, looking at Rice.
Rice is midway through a Middle East tour marked by two main themes: the importance of success in the on-again, off-again Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the notion that democracy is a realistic antidote for hopelessness and hatred.
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