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Iraq

Mubarak: US presence in Iraq attracts terrorists, threatens region

2008-02-12

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Monday that a continued U.S. presence in Iraq would attract terrorists and threaten the security and stability of the Middle East, according to the state MENA news agency.

The remarks, a sharp deflection from Mubarak's earlier backing for the American role in Iraq, come amid a recent chill in US-Egyptian relations and the Egyptian leader's increasingly defiant tone.

That defiance stepped up after US moved last year to put conditions on the US$2 billion in aid, including $1.3 billion in military assistance, that Washington gives annually to Egypt, the second largest recipient of US aid after Israel. The US Congress and Bush agreed to withhold $100 million from Egypt until it stops smuggling, implements judicial reforms and curbs police torture, which human rights groups say is systematic.

Posted by:Fred

#11 reduce Aswan from "Dam/Energy Production/Flood Control facility" to historic site

Posted by: Frank G 2008-02-12 22:52

#10 Wonder what a 20,000lb bunker-buster would do to Aswan?

Posted by: Old Patriot 2008-02-12 22:40

#9 muBarak?

Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2008-02-12 20:01

#8 Inept security and a blown up wall attracts terrorists too, as Hosni is finding out...

Posted by: tu3031 2008-02-12 19:15

#7 "Me Hosni. Me big uuumph tribal chief. Me teach you---you give me heap big lot trade goods."

Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2008-02-12 09:39

#6 Lets run that statement down:

1. Attracted more than an infantry corps worth of terrorists so far and they are now all dead or captured.

2. Proves that the status quo is no longer just the only way of life for the average arab. They can live in freedom and maintain wealth and culture.

3. Puts despotism and fanaticism at risk since they are not the only alternatives anymore and the current power brokers in the ME are at risk of being history.

All that sounds more like a feature than a bug, Mubarak. Cancel funding to Egypt immediately.

Posted by: DarthVader 2008-02-12 09:08

#5 Attraction, discrimination and targeting would work even better in an Arabian peninsula cleared of muslims.

Posted by: ed 2008-02-12 08:18

#4 Said the man who's desperately trying to stuff the Hamas cork back in the Gaza bottle.

Posted by: Spot 2008-02-12 08:10

#3 'Attracting' terrorists means terrorists are not staying where they were, but are going to Iraq. They're still terrorists, but in an unfamiliar place where they are unwelcome rather than at home. Why should this concern Mubarak or any other Muslim leader (besides Maliki)? They should be grateful at being rid of them.

Posted by: Glenmore 2008-02-12 08:06

#2 And it attracts the attention of the middle class and educated people throughout the region that Muslims might, just might, be capable of having a successful republic. No need for the 'strong man' style of government. I can see where that is something the man might consider a 'threat'.

Posted by: Procopius2k 2008-02-12 07:40

#1 attract terrorists and threaten the security and stability of the Middle East,

Flypaperwise that's a feature!

Posted by: 3dc 2008-02-12 01:15

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