Obama condemns Egyptian violence and cancels joint military drills

[oberliner]

Source: The Guardian

Barack Obama has cancelled US military exercises with Egypt in a carefully-calibrated rebuke to its interim government that stopped short of a more significant suspension of aid.

Reacting to the killing of more than 500 anti-government protesters, the US president interrupted his family vacation on Martha's Vineyard to condemn the bloodshed, but stressed that any move toward peaceful democracy was a difficult process that could take decades.

"We appreciate the complexity of the situation," he said. "We recognise that change takes time. There are going to be false starts and difficult days. We know that democratic transitions are measured not in months or even years, but sometimes in generations."

Obama also issued a reminder of why the US had initially chosen to support the ousting of Egypt's first elected president following the overthrow of dictator Hosni Mubarak.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/15/obama-statement-egypt-crackdown-violence

[denverbill]

1. I'm thinking Egypt's military is probably too busy anyway.

But hey, let's make a meaningless gesture of concern with one hand and keep sending them billions of dollars with the other.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

2. Not concerned enough.

Not concerned enough to call it a coup and stop funding though.

[another_liberal]

3. If we don't cut all funds going to the generals' government . . .

The simple fact is that if we don't cut all funds going to the generals' government the World will see us as aiding and abetting these murders, and rightly so.

[oberliner]

4. That's Rand Paul's argument

Patrick Leahy too.

“While President Obama ‘condemns the violence in Egypt,’ his administration continues to send billions of taxpayer dollars to help pay for it. The law is very clear when a coup d’état takes place, foreign aid must stop, regardless of the circumstances,” Paul said Thursday. “Mr. President, stop skirting the issue, follow the law, and cancel all foreign aid to Egypt.”

The Democratic response was more positive, with wide support for Obama’s decision to suspend Operation Bright Star, a biennial training exercise scheduled for September this year. But Democratic calls for Obama to suspend aid to Egypt following the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi continued after Obama skirted the topic on Thursday.

“While suspending joint military exercises as the president has done is an important step, our law is clear: aid to the Egyptian military should cease unless they restore democracy,” said Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who is working with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on legislative language that would impose conditions on assistance to Egypt.

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/08/rand-paul-dems-call-for-halt-aid-to-egypt-95577.html#ixzz2c40v2ojF

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

5. But it's Leahey's law.

I'm curious which side you stand on this law? Please, do tell.

[oberliner]

6. He voted against cutting aid the first time around

Check the stats on the bill Paul tried to put forth in July.

Where I stand on the law - I plead ignorance. I only just learned about it recently.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

7. You plead ignorance now to get out of a discussion? Shame.

For some reason I believe that you aren't being honest just to sidestep yet another simple query put to you.

Law is law; regardless if a Democrat writes it or a teabagger cites it later.


You don't have to agree with the law and could have easily just stayed with that.

[oberliner]

9. I'm cool with discussing it

i just don't have an opinion. Someone mentioned it yesterday and that was the first I became aware of it. Give me your thoughts, if you have any, and I would be happy to post my reaction.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

11. Try re-reading post #7. If it is too hard for you then go take a breather and come back

to it later.

[oberliner]

13. Huh?

I'm not understanding you here.

Let me know your thoughts on the law, and I'm happy to respond and talk about.

I'm not really sure where I stand on it so I'd love to get some insights.

[karynnj]

15. I doubt that Rand Paul's bill and Leahy's are identical

In fact, for most of the Obama administration, whenever someone from the right introduced a bill that took a position on foreign policy that was not consistent with what the Obama administration wanted, John Kerry, who was then chair of SFRC, would introduce a bil that eliminated contentious items that would hurt the Obama administration's efforts. Then the two bills would be voted on as a pair -- with the Democratic one, often co-sponsored by Lugar winning. (If you want, I can point to many pairs )

Before the coup, there was a designation needed that Egypt was moving forward on democracy before money could be given. This was given shortly before the coup. Obviously, things are different now - and it makes sense to reassess that decision. Not to mention, a bill that does not eliminate their foreign aid, but which makes it contingent on certain things being achieved could be helpful to the US - giving them leverage by making the funding subject to conditions (that Leahy and the administration likely agree with.)

In the last 4 years, Leahy who headed the subcommittee of the appropriations committee that oversaw spending by the state department has worked closely with Obama and with the SFRC.

[Comrade Grumpy]

8. I stand with Rand Paul and Patrick Leahy on this.

Wow. That's the second time I typed that today. The other was in regard to their federal sentencing reform bill.

[JI7]

14. didn't leahy vote against cutting off aid ?

[karynnj]

16. Yeah - but nuance is lost on some

[cstanleytech]

12. From what I have read the US is still reluctant to cut the funds

because they are trying not to exacerbate the situation.

[Bosonic]

10. US warns citizens to leave Egypt: State Department

#BREAKING: US warns citizens to leave Egypt: State Department

https://twitter.com/AFP/status/368083674706616320