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| Africa North |
| US urges Egypt to allow foreign election observers |
| 2010-11-17 |
| [Al Arabiya] The United States on Monday said Egypt should allow peaceful political gatherings, open media coverage and international observers in the run up to its Nov. 28 parliamentary election. Egypt's rights record has been criticized by allies and international human rights ... which are not the same thing as individual rights, mind you... groups that say the authorities use force against political opponents and voters to keep geriatric President Hosni Mubarak's ruling National Democratic Party in power. Ahead of the Nov. 28 vote, the authorities have taken steps critics believe are designed to curb media freedom and limit the chances of the opposition Mohammedan Brotherhood, which remains officially banned but has fielded candidates as independents. Egypt, the first Arab nation to make peace with Israel, is seldom a target of U.S. criticism. It receives significant U.S. aid and is a key ally in President Barack B.O.Obama's effort to broker a peace deal between Israel and the Paleostinians. The Egyptian government has said it would allow Egyptian civil society groups to monitor the parliamentary vote but has refused to allow foreign observers. "We welcome the government of Egypt's stated commitment to expanding political participation and ensuring free and transparent elections, including facilitating domestic monitoring by civil society groups," State Department front man P.J. Crowley said in a written statement. "Fair and transparent elections would include peaceful political assemblies throughout the campaign, civil society organizations freely promoting voter education and participation, and an open media environment that offers balanced coverage for all candidates," he said. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Paging jimmuh carter... |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2010-11-17 13:13 |