MUNICH: Egypt’s foreign minister insisted Sunday that the government can’t intervene in an investigation of foreign-funded pro-democracy organizations that is straining ties with the United States, but underlined Cairo’s commitment to the relationship with Washington.
Mohammed Amr spoke at an international security conference in Germany a day after US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton warned him anew that failure to resolve the dispute may lead to the loss of American aid.
"This a totally judicial issue right now," Amr said. "We are doing our best to contain this but, well, if you are talking about democracy there is a separation between authorities — and we cannot actually exercise any influence on the investigating judges right now when it comes to the investigation."
In a meeting with Amr on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Clinton said she "had a chance to once again express our deep concerns with what is happening to our NGOs."
US-Egyptian tensions have been high since raids on organizations, some of them funded by the American government, began late last year.
Heavily armed security forces raided 17 offices belonging to 10 pro-democracy and human rights groups. US and UN officials blasted the raids, which Egyptian officials have defended as part of a legitimate investigation into the groups’ work and finances.
In late January, Egypt barred at least six Americans and four Europeans who worked for US-based organizations from leaving the country. They included Sam LaHood, the head of the Egypt office of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the only Republican in President Barack Obama’s Cabinet.
Amr insisted that "the executive branch has nothing to do" with the investigation.
"The United States’ relationship with Egypt is strategic, it is beneficial for both sides, and it is much more valuable (than) actually to be put at risk … from either side by such an action," Amr said.
Clinton said earlier, "We do not believe there is any basis for these investigations, these raids …, the seizure of their equipment and certainly no basis for prohibiting the exit from the country by" NGO members, reported AFP.
"We are very clear that there are problems that arise from this situation that can impact all the rest of our relationship. We do not want that," the chief US diplomat said.
"We have worked very hard the last year to put into place financial assistance and other support for the economic and political reforms that are occurring in Egypt," she said.
"And we will have to closely review these matters as it comes time for us to certify whether or not any of these funds from our government can be made available under these circumstances," she said.
The State Department has hinted that funds could be withheld under a bill enacted recently linking the aid to democratic progress, and the bill’s sponsor, Senator Patrick Leahy, said Congress is ready to apply pressure.
Leahy’s legislation, part of a 2012 bill signed by President Barack Obama on December 23, offers Egypt $250 million in economic aid, and provides the authority to forgive up to $500 million of debt to the United States.
It also provides for $1.5 billion in annual military aid, but Egypt’s military leaders must convince Clinton they are backing the transition to civilian rule. –Additional reporting by AFP
