Pence in Egypt
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi rules despotically.
He’s Washington’s man in Cairo, a US War College graduate, maintaining close Pentagon ties, involved with Washington in ousting President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.
It was reminiscent of September 11, 1973, a CIA-orchestrated coup together with General Augusto Pinochet, ending Chilean democracy, ushering in 17 years of brutal dictatorship.
Sisi governs the same way, a tinpot despot terrorizing his people, ruthlessly imprisoning thousands opposing his tyranny, sentencing many to death, exploiting Egyptian workers.
None of this phased Obama or Trump, supporting his regime. Last April during a White House visit, Trump said “(y)ou have a great friend and ally in the United States and in me.”
“I just want to let everybody know that we are very much behind President el-Sisi. He has done a fantastic job in a very difficult situation.”
Egypt is Washington’s second largest recipient of US military aid after Israel, both countries using it for state terror – Tel Aviv against Palestinians, Cairo against its 90 million people.
Sisi’s economic agenda features neoliberal harshness – imposed on tens of millions of poor and deeply impoverished Egyptians.
His military is used to contain widespread anger over his ruthless rule. He’s been Egypt’s president since June 2014, his election farcical, orchestrated for him to win, facing virtually no competition.
During Pence’s Saturday visit, Sisi expressed support for Palestinian statehood – despite doing nothing to help their beleaguered people since usurping power.
Complicit with Israel, he enforces its illegal blockade on Gaza, suffocating its people, suffering under dire humanitarian conditions, the Strip close to economic collapse.
Sisi expressed support for Washington’s (phony) war on terror. Pence said “we stand shoulder to shoulder with you and Egypt in fighting against terrorism” Trump supports.
Claiming bilateral relations were “drifting apart,” he said they “have never been stronger” since Trump took office.
In brief statements to reporters, neither Sisi or Pence mentioned Trump’s Jerusalem declaration. The vice president stressed Washington’s “strong strategic partnership” with Egypt.
He came to further solidify bilateral relations with the Arab world’s largest country, bordering Israel.
In Cairo, Pence told reporters “(t)he United States of America is deeply committed to restarting the peace process in the Middle East,” failing to explain Trump one-sidedly supports Israeli interests, uncaring about fundamental Palestinian rights and welfare.
Following his visit, Pence headed to Jordan to meet with king Abdullah II, then to Israel, discussed in a same-day article.
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