Knives Come Out for U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson

[Purveyor]

Posted By John Hudson Wednesday, July 3, 2013

As the violent standoff over the future of Egypt continues, U.S. ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson has become a lightning rod for critics of U.S. policy in the country.

The tip of the spear for U.S.-Egypt diplomacy, Patterson's June 18 speech discouraging street protests has come to symbolize the administration's inability to recognize the potency of Egypt's liberal opposition. "Some say that street action will produce better results than elections," Patterson said. "To be honest, my government and I are deeply skeptical."

Now, with the Egyptian military's take over of the country, observers fear the outbreak of widespread violence between Morsy's Islamist supporters and moderate critics, and many wonder if the U.S. could've taken a harder line on the Brotherhood during its 10-month rule.

Patterson in particular resisted opportunities to criticize the Morsy government as it implemented increasingly authoritarian policies. In a memorable May interview with the Egyptian English-language news sit Ahram Online, she repeatedly dodged pointed questions about Morsy's leadership. "The fact is they ran in a legitimate election and won," she said. "Of course it is challenging to be dealing with any new government. However, at the state institutional level, we are for instance still liaising with the same military and civil service personnel, and thus have retained the same long-established relations."

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http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/07/03/knives_come_out_for_us_ambassador_to_egypt_anne_patterson

[dipsydoodle]

1. They refer to her as the crone

see demonstration poster.

[korak]

5. Ah, well. I've Learned a New Word.

Hayzaboon or haizaboon. Cnn says it's an unpleasant, nasty old woman.

I'll probably use it too. The sound of it makes me giggle. won't be able to resist.

I wonder what the male equivalent is?

[dipsydoodle]

7. If you google her and crone you will find the references

Its an archaic expression usually only found in fairy tales.

[Fumesucker]

6. I thought this one was hilarious

[Lasher]

2. The US picked yet another winner.

Spending billions of dollars to snoop on the whole world and can't read the tea leaves.

[JackN415]

4. That requires an entirely different capability.

[JackN415]

3. Hm.. first time heard about this. She made a mistake saying that. She should have been

non-committal and stuck to the US principle of democracy. Peaceful protest, resolve conflicts through constitutional process blah blah, regardless how politically naive it may sound. But at least, people can't accuse her meddlesome in the Country internal politics.