Posted on 05/10/2005 5:49:42 PM PDT by RWR8189
MEMORANDUM TO: OPINION LEADERS
FROM: GARY SCHMITT
SUBJECT: Half Measures in Egypt
According to press reports, Egypts parliament is likely to pass a constitutional amendment today that would allow opposition figures to run for president. This apparent democratic breakthrough, however, is undermined by the amendments stipulation that to be placed on a presidential ballot a candidate would need the approval of 300 members from various elected Egyptian government bodies bodies now under the control of the sitting president, Hosni Mubarak.
The decision by Egypt to take this half measure is the result of pressure put on President Mubarak by President Bush and Secretary of State Rice. But it is only a half measure, and one that will lead to even more frustration and political instability in Egypt if it remains so. Administration officials and members of Congress would do well to send President Mubarak and his government a signal that American foreign aid (currently about $2 billion/year) is contingent on their doing more to open up the Egyptian political process.
Some are concerned that a truly open election will encourage the likes of the Muslim Brotherhood. We agree that is a concern. But, unless we expect Mubarak and his son to hold on to power indefinitely despite all the corruption, dysfunctionalism, and anger his rule engenders in Egypt itself this is a risk supporters of democracy must take. And this risk is more manageable now in the context of progress toward democracy rather than later, in the context of increased popular resentment and civic frustration.
That's rich - so you have to have the government's permission to run for president. Yup, that's a real, true-blue, open democracy!
Never trust anything the "Project" says...period!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.