The US is unlikely to take a hard line against Islamists in Egypt in the event of them assuming power, Egypt’s ambassador to the US, Sameh Shoukry, has said. Shoukry added that the US administration thinks the relationship will be based on shared political interests.
The US media’s focus on Egypt’s election results stems from the 25-year conflict between Iran and the US, Shoukry said. He urged all political groups to put forward their political platforms.
Commenting on meetings between the Muslim Brotherhood and the US administration, Shoukry said the US may have been comforted by promises from the Brotherhood.
“We’re not a political institution, but rather a professional one that works for the state, not the regime, and our role is to facilitate communication between Cairo and Washington,” Shoukry said.
The Egyptian Embassy in the US helps expatriate Egyptians vote, he said, adding that only 5000 out of 20,000 registered voters living in the US had decided to exercise that right.
“The US administration will accept the elections results, as Egyptians alone have the right to choose their representatives,” he said. “The US should maintain communication with parties in Egypt until the country’s ruling policy is shaped.”
Egypt has experienced occupation before and would never accept dictation by any foreign power, said Shukry, answering questions on whether the US had created a plan for the transition to civilian government in Egypt.
He voiced hopes that Ganzouri’s government would meet people’s demands, while urging all parties to engage in dialogue.
“I wish to see the youth better represented in the new government, to reflect the spirit of the revolution,” the ambassador said.
He denied that the head of Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi, travelled to the US during the revolution. He added that a January visit by the deputy head of the SCAF, Sami Anan, was scheduled two months before.
The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said in a joint press conference with British Foreign Secretary William Hague that the Egyptian people should be proud of their accomplishment in launching free elections.
