Posted on 02/16/2011 12:31:30 PM PST by jazusamo
The top U.S. intelligence official on Wednesday revised remarks he recently made on Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, saying the group is “obviously not secular.”
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper had told House lawmakers last week that the Islamist group, officially banned in Egypt, was “a very heterogeneous group, largely secular, which has eschewed violence and has decried al Qaeda as a perversion of Islam."
On Wednesday, testifying before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Clapper said his comments had been misconstrued and that he was referring to the Muslim Brotherhood's involvement in Egypt’s “largely secular” political process.
“In my attempt to shorthand my description of the Muslim Brotherhood my message was lost, and that’s regrettable,” said Clapper. “The Muslim Brotherhood is obviously not secular. What I had hoped to convey, and would like to clearly state here, is that the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt tries to work through a political system that has been largely secular in its orientation.”
“In Egypt, it has gained much of its support through both grassroots outreach and non-religious functions like providing health clinics and day care centers,” he said. “It also has different factions, including a conservative wing whose interpretation of Islam runs counter to broad electoral participation and a younger, more liberal wing who is more inclined to work through the secular political process.”
Clapper was roundly criticized on Capitol Hill after his comments last week, including by the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Peter King (R-N.Y.). The United States needs to take a more proactive role in making sure that the Muslim Brotherhood, which has been tied to known terrorists, does not gain an overwhelming voice in Egypt’s government, King told Fox.
In his testimony, Clapper emphasized that the Muslim Brotherhood would likely be involved in Egypt’s political process in the wake of massive protests that led to President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation.
In response to questions by the panel’s chairwoman, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Clapper said the Muslim Brotherhood would probably not support honoring Egypt’s peace agreement with Israel, but added that the faction would be one of several voices, including the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which announced its intention to honor the accord.
CIA Director Leon Panetta testified that it was difficult to characterize the Muslim Brotherhood group, in sum, as an extremist group, because its tactics vary depending on the region.
“This is not a monolithic organization … and it varies from area to area,” said Panetta. “It’s very difficult to say they are extremists. It is clear that within the Muslim Brotherhood there are extremist elements that we have to pay attention to. And that’s something that we watch very closely to make sure that they are not able to exert their influence on the direction of governments in that region.”
LOL! Sounds like he's been briefed by Sen. Patty (Osama Mama) Murray.
Whatever you say, Clapper.
Too late Clymer.
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper is an idiot.
What is the sound of one Clapper spinning?
“It also has different factions, including a conservative wing whose interpretation of Islam runs counter to broad electoral participation and a younger, more liberal wing who is more inclined to work through the secular political process.”
O.K. We need to get up a pool for the over/under on when the “more liberal wingnuts” start loosing their heads.
I’m in at 14 days 6hrs and 31 minutes.
heh heh
I’ll say as soon as the names of the “more liberal wingnuts” are leaked.
James the Clap. Isn’t there some sort of cure for that?
When the Egyptian MB’s take off their ties,you’ll know that
they’re ready to get busy!
Kristof, NYT journalist, tells us in his tweets the real reason all these progressives are so happy about the Islamic revolution in the Middle East. They are all about hate for regimes that are, at least, inactive in their opposition to Israel and USA. He should know as he shares their hatred for America particularly.
“Director of National Intelligence James Clapper is an idiot.”
While this is painfully true; Clapper is still light years head of Barak Obama-Gump who was so dazzled by Clapper that he made him the Director of National Intelligence.
“This is not a monolithic organization … and it varies from area to area,” said Panetta. “It’s very difficult to say they are extremists. It is clear that within the Muslim Brotherhood there are extremist elements that we have to pay attention to. And that’s something that we watch very closely to make sure that they are not able to exert their influence on the direction of governments in that region.”
oh boy ... one organization ... one goal, would have been a true response instead of the lies of (I've got your back answer by Panetta to cover for Clapper). I can only walk away shaking my head, one turn left, then right, numerous times.
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