A messy situation inevitably got worse.
For the last few months, the Egyptian and United States governments have been in intense negotiations over the fates of Americans hit with travel bans after the Egyptian government charged them with using improper funding without appropriate government authorization. First the Egyptian judges hearing the NGO case suddenly resigned, later alleging pressure (a phone call that left him "uncomfortable") from SCAF to kill the case. The travel ban imposed on the democracy workers was subsequently lifted by an unidentified judge.
That the case was mishandled is one of the only issues uniting Egyptians of all political stripes, from the Muslim Brotherhood (criticizing "clear interference") to liberal favorite Mohamed el-Baradei (criticizing the "fatal blow to democracy").
After I told my roommate what happened, she said, "Well at least they're listening to us." This is either besides the point, or exactly so. These organizations strive to build and legitimize democratic institutions, including independent judiciaries. Egypt's judiciary was severely undermined by SCAF's interference. It wasn't democratic at all and reeks of the hypocrisy of which Americans are constantly accused. We're all for democracy, unless the outcome clashes with our interests (election of Hamas in Gaza is an excellent example of this).
If the employees of NDI, IRI, Freedom House, and the rest are worth a lick, they are also probably quite uncomfortable about the way in which they were allowed to leave the country. They are there, of course, to assist in the creation of a political system in which just that sort of interference does not occur. It undermined their work, past, present, and future. Many will find it difficult to believe in their sincerity when their freedom was granted through decidedly un-democratic means and their Egyptian counterparts were left high and dry.
Yes, I am happy the Americans are back home. The way in which the situation has evolved is not their fault. But the long-term ramifications for their departure are significant.
For the last few months, the Egyptian and United States governments have been in intense negotiations over the fates of Americans hit with travel bans after the Egyptian government charged them with using improper funding without appropriate government authorization. First the Egyptian judges hearing the NGO case suddenly resigned, later alleging pressure (a phone call that left him "uncomfortable") from SCAF to kill the case. The travel ban imposed on the democracy workers was subsequently lifted by an unidentified judge.
That the case was mishandled is one of the only issues uniting Egyptians of all political stripes, from the Muslim Brotherhood (criticizing "clear interference") to liberal favorite Mohamed el-Baradei (criticizing the "fatal blow to democracy").
After I told my roommate what happened, she said, "Well at least they're listening to us." This is either besides the point, or exactly so. These organizations strive to build and legitimize democratic institutions, including independent judiciaries. Egypt's judiciary was severely undermined by SCAF's interference. It wasn't democratic at all and reeks of the hypocrisy of which Americans are constantly accused. We're all for democracy, unless the outcome clashes with our interests (election of Hamas in Gaza is an excellent example of this).
If the employees of NDI, IRI, Freedom House, and the rest are worth a lick, they are also probably quite uncomfortable about the way in which they were allowed to leave the country. They are there, of course, to assist in the creation of a political system in which just that sort of interference does not occur. It undermined their work, past, present, and future. Many will find it difficult to believe in their sincerity when their freedom was granted through decidedly un-democratic means and their Egyptian counterparts were left high and dry.
Yes, I am happy the Americans are back home. The way in which the situation has evolved is not their fault. But the long-term ramifications for their departure are significant.
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