Egypt to prosecute Americans in NGO probe

[maddezmom]

By Ernesto Londono, Updated: Sunday, February 5, 8:42 AM

CAIRO — The Egyptian government intends to prosecute at least 40 people, including some American citizens, as part of an investigation into non-government organizations that receive foreign funding, state media reported Sunday.

The announcement came a day after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned the Egyptian foreign ministry that failure to quickly resolve the probe could jeopardize the more than $1.3 billion Egypt expects to get this year in U.S. aid.

“We are very clear that there are problems that arise from this situation that can impact all the rest of our relationship in Egypt,” Clinton told reporters while attending an international conference in Munich in which she met with her Egyptian counterpart. “We don’t want that.”

The Associated Press reported that as many as 19 Americans would stand trial alongside Egyptian colleagues. Egyptian authorities did not disclose the specific charges or say whether indictments or arrest warrants have been issued. Pro-democracy NGOs have long operated openly, but unofficially, in Egypt, because Cairo has refused to grant them licenses.

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/egypt-to-prosecute-americans-in-ngo-probe/2012/02/05/gIQAQRderQ_story.html

[BlueToTheBone]

1. So what was Sam LaHood

actually doing?

[former9thward]

2. Why are you focusing on him.

Both the Republican and Democratic parties have democracy institutes there and the Egyptian dictators are prosecuting the individuals in both.

[BlueToTheBone]

9. Mostly because he is the son of Transportation Sec

in Obama's cabinet. So, what was he doing? No judgement, just a question. And, also, what does it mean to all of us because of his family ties. It might be great to cut off the weapons funding of the Egyptian military, but that is JMHO and not meant as a policy statement.

[former9thward]

14. I have no idea what they are doing

but I just don't trust anything the military dictators are doing to retain power there.

[BlueToTheBone]

20. me either.

[throneoflunacy]

25. To be fair

nepotism has been fairly bipartisan throughout history.

[iandhr]

3. You actually believe accusations?

... You don't think dictators make things up.

[EFerrari]

5. There's a 50/50 chance it is true because USAID

is used by the US to interfere in other countries.

[arely staircase]

16. that's about where I would put the odds

they could be there doing legit work like teaching people how run political campaigns- identifying likely voters, developing a coherent message, creating materials, etc. then again it could be nefarious. i wouldn't be surprised either way.

[EFerrari]

19. If the United States helps you run a campaign

it's usually because there is a preferrred outcome.

[arely staircase]

21. sure but I'm sure their are NGOs who are doing good work

but yeah Venezuela is a perfect example of what you are talking about.

[EFerrari]

22. There are NGOs that do good work but the NDI and the IRI are not two of them, imo.

[arely staircase]

24. You are correct I looked into them

They have a pretty shady track record. Particularly in LA.

[BlueToTheBone]

10. No, just wondering what he was doing.

What is that organization all about? And why there?

[EFerrari]

6. That's a good question. n/t

[former9thward]

8. Are you asking the question of the National Democratic Institute?

They are affiliated with the Democratic party and their personnel have been charged also.

[BlueToTheBone]

11. No, I didn't know that

only heard about LaHood. Could they all be helping the emerging leaders? Is that what this is all about? Just wondering and now that gives me more information to go on. I personally think it would be great to stop that 1.2 billion weapons help, but that would also just be on general principals.

[EFerrari]

18. Yes, I realize that.

Their job is to promote American economic interests in other countries, no matter what they say about "democracy".

I'd like to know what this guy was doing. Was he helping to negotiate with the junta? Was he contacting some part of the revolution to bring them into line with what D.C. wants? Was he contacting influential Egyptians outside the junta to help them position themselves to get into power? There are a lot of possibilities.

[FarCenter]

4. Egypt to try 44 in NGO funds case: judicial source

Among those barred from leaving the country is the Egypt director of IRI, Sam LaHood, the son of US Secretary for Transportation Ray LaHood.

The latest move comes as Egypt's military -- which took power after president Hosni Mubarak was ousted -- accuses "foreign hands" of sowing unrest in the country amid a spike in tensions between the military and activists who want a speedier transition to civilian rule.

The probe, which began over the summer, coincided with Washington raising concerns with the ruling military about "anti-Americanism" in Egypt.

Egyptian officials had told AFP that the investigation was first launched in July by the ministry of international cooperation after the newly appointed US ambassador to Cairo, Anne Patterson, said the US distributed $40 million (35 million Euros) to NGOs since Mubarak's fall.

http://www.france24.com/en/20120205-egypt-try-44-ngo-funds-case-judicial-source

Sounds like the Ambassador provided them with an open and shut case.

[BlueToTheBone]

13. Okay. Thanks. That gives me

a much clearer picture. Sounds like our ambassador has as many diplomatic skills as I do. Yikes. I guess equivocation wasn't part of her training.

[FarCenter]

26. One would thnk the Egyptians would have a law outlawing foreign money in elections

I'd recommend something along the lines of this:

The Prohibition

The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) prohibits any foreign national from contributing, donating or spending funds in connection with any federal, state, or local election in the United States, either directly or indirectly. It is also unlawful to help foreign nationals violate that ban or to solicit, receive or accept contributions or donations from them. Persons who knowingly and willfully engage in these activities may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment.

Who is a Foreign National?

The following groups and individuals are considered "foreign nationals" and are, therefore, subject to the prohibition:

•Foreign governments;
•Foreign political parties;
•Foreign corporations;
•Foreign associations;
•Foreign partnerships;
•Individuals with foreign citizenship; and
•Immigrants who do not have a "green card."

http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/foreign.shtml

[JCMach1]

7. Good, cut the generals off... only I bet it won't be the generals

Anyone want to take that bet?

[EFerrari]

23. Not a chance. n/t

[Gringostan]

12. Why are we giving 1.3 billion to Egypt

Why are we giving 1.3 billion to Egypt - it's a rhetorical question; but we need to spend that money here at home.

[tawadi]

27. Because we have very few allies in the region

We can't afford to lose any more.

[hack89]

28. It was the price of the 1979 Israeli Egyptian peace treaty.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt%E2%80%93Israel_Peace_Treaty

[Gringostan]

31. I think an anniversary thank you card...

Understood, but that was 33 years ago; I think an anniversary thank you card should be sufficient by now.

[hack89]

32. One provision of that treaty was the demilitarization of the Sinai

what possibly could go wrong by putting the Israeli and Egyptian armies right next to each other?

[Gringostan]

33. Given modern weaponry; are they really that far apart any more

Given modern weaponry; are they really that far apart any more. My contention is that mutual economic interest far outweigh any military threat, for the most part, at this point - hence no new war. Further, economic benefits, tend to transfer with and stabilize changes in governments much better than the latest military hardware. Consequently, the mutual economic interest of Egypt and Israel should supersede any economic/military aid we give to Egypt. Having said all that I don't disagree with anything you are saying.

[DUIC]

15. Arab Spring has become an Arab Winter

It's been about a year since the "Arab Spring". Thus far, other than a few changes in the names of people running things, I see no difference.

[arely staircase]

17. yes and no

the Egyptian military establishment seems determined to maintain their economic and political domination of civil society, but there is definitely more freedom there today than under hosni. open society will come in fits and starts but I remain optimistic.

[rayofreason]

30. Optimism about Egypt is not grounded in facts.

Egyptian currency reserves continue to fall and Egypt imports 1/2 of its food. Exports, what little they are, cannot pay fro this food, nor can the dwindling income from tourism.

Those are the facts and they are no basis for optimism.

In a few months Egypt will be starving, and there is nothing that anybody can do about it.

[pampango]

29. Amnesty International - Egypt: Stop holding NGOs hostage

The Egyptian authorities should scrap a Mubarak-era law used to prosecute civil society and ensure its planned replacement upholds the right to freedom of association, Amnesty International said today.

“These international associations have become the latest scapegoats as the authorities desperately spin their story of foreign conspiracies,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme.

“Egyptian human rights organizations have been left to wait in fear for their turn to come.”

Those named on Monday include 14 Egyptians, in addition to US, German and Serbian nationals reported to be staff members of five organizations – the US-based National Democratic Institute (NDI); the International Republican Institute (IRI); the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ); Freedom House (FH) and the Germany-based Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/egypt-stop-holding-ngos-hostage-2012-02-07