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Backpedaling in Egypt

(Washington Post) Editorial - Why does the U.S. administration continue to give nearly $2 billion each year to a government that mocks President Bush's democracy initiative? That's an obvious question in the wake of President Hosni Mubarak's reneging this week on his earlier promise to end emergency rule in Egypt. The law allows him to imprison political opponents without charge for six months - when the six months are up, his security forces often rearrest their hapless prey - as he tries to eradicate any sprouts of liberal, secular opposition. It's true that a Mubarak-ruled Egypt is better than some imaginable alternatives. But the administration and Congress shouldn't limit themselves to Mubarak's no-win options. If they want to help Egypt, aid should go to that nation's civic society and democratic reformers, not the corrupt regime that persecutes those who favor a freedom agenda.
2006-05-05 00:00:00
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