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Subscribe to RSSCAIRO -- An American woman banned from leaving Egypt as part of its crackdown on foreign-funded pro-democracy groups was stopped from boarding an international flight Thursday, Cairo airport officials said.
The officials said Mary Elizabeth Whitehead, 56, was trying to board a flight to Germany minutes before take off, when airport security stopped her. She had taken no luggage with her. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with police regulations.
The spat over the non-government groups has caused the deepest crisis in Washington's relations with Cairo in decades, particularly after strong ties under ousted leader Hosni Mubarak's nearly 30-year-long rule.
Government officials accuse the organizations of interfering in Egypt's internal affairs and carrying out political activities unrelated to their civil society work.
According to the security officials, Whitehead was listed among seven Americans who are barred from travel by Egypt's attorney general. Some have sought refuge at the American Embassy in Cairo, including the son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who heads the International Republican Institute's office in Egypt.
US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood's son is one of several people currently not allowed to leave Egypt as tensions mount between America and the Middle Eastern country.
The U.S. State Department says there are a total of 16 Americans facing trial. Egypt's state news agency says, however, that 19 Americans are facing trial on charges that include the illegal use of foreign funds and operating offices without licenses.
American officials have threatened to cut $1.5 billion in annual aid to Egypt over the NGO crisis.
Egyptian authorities have responded by blasting what they call U.S. meddling in the country's legal and internal affairs.
Egypt's Foreign Minister Mohammed Amr said Thursday the case has nothing to do with the government and is in the judiciary's hands.
"It is being dealt with legally and it is not for the Egyptian government to get involved in the judicial process," he said, adding that U.S. aid to Egypt was not without mutual interest.
Retaliation?
Egyptian civil rights campaigners say the investigations are retaliation by Egypt's ruling generals against pro-democracy groups that have been among the army's harshest critics since it took power when Mubarak was overthrown last February.
The 43 accused are due to go on trial on Sunday, charged with working in the country without proper legal registration, according to a judicial source.
The Americans work for four U.S.-based groups: the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, Freedom House and a group that trains journalists.
President Barack Obama has urged Egypt's military rulers to drop the investigation, and high-level officials, including Republican Sen. John McCain, have flown in to Cairo to seek a solution.
After meeting with military ruler Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, McCain said he was given assurances that Egyptian leaders were working "very diligently" to try to resolve the NGO issue.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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I have no sympathy for foreign citizens who go to other countries to peddle their private brand of democracy. Brave? No stupid yes.
Senor- I agree somewhat. The idiot Cali college student whom thought it would be fun to go fight in Libya a few months ago- deserved what he got. This lady- should know what's going on over there enough to know what's coming at her too. The uprising was taken over by radicals (coordinated efforts of the Muslim Brotherhood and various factions) and now that they got the overthrow they no longer need/want any democracy assistance. They are rounding up/killing coptic christians, they are using the military to quell democracy interests, getting over a 2/3 majority of Islamists in the "new" government, getting more and more anti-Israel and anti-US, and preparing to install sharia law. They know what they got and they know where they want to take it.
No one seeking democracy need apply.
I want to know who is pay-roling and funding this pro-democracy "worker" and what their end-game and motivation is.
They stick their noses in where they shouldn't and they're surprised the government takes retaliation for it? Next time, stay home and write a letter or something...if they ever let you come home, that is.
@STexan well there are three ways to get oil out of Saudi Arabia. First is the Strait of Hormuz, controlled by Iran, second is the Gulf of Aden, in which Somali pirates are always a risk, third is the Suez Canal which is controlled by Egypt.
So let's say that Israel and Iran get things going. We enter the war on Israel's side. What side is Egypt, especially an Egypt with a more Islamist government, going to enter on? Probably Iran's. Egypt then shuts down the Suez Canal and disrupts the oil supply. IMO controlling Egypt is about securing the oil supply in the event of a war with Iran.
Totally agree with you, senior citizen!
Did you notice that some of the employees of this NGO are connected politically? I wonder how many govt funded NGOs are full of connected employees. Its no wonder our govt has reacted so strongly against these arrests if some of these people are connected.
If Egypt shut down US shipping then the US might have to shut down Egypt.
I don't think either is a high probability.
Foreign agitators, spies, and instigators of civil war. The Arabs are looking at Libya and wising up.
None of those people are there to help anybody.
Agree with the above, but it's really silly to use the word "democracy" when writing or speaking about any predominantly islamic country.
I think the Middle East has learned tru the years what American democracy means for them and have become weary of it.
Seen a nice bumber sticker that said " Be nice to America or we will bring democracy to you country "
The US track record hasn't been to good. We supported every kind of dictator and got rid of the few democratically elected officials when it did not suit us
senor citizen, I agree. But what do you expect when those American's work for the RNC? We read posts here almost every day about how Isreal peddles their influence on Congress, and some people defend Isreal's right to do so. And some don't agree.
It's a two way street. I say good for Egypt, keep the outside influence out, it's their country. And Isreal should be kept out from here also.
Dear Sally: We are glad that you approve of a military takeover in Egypt that is bringing such joy to the populace. And by the way, the US and Egypt have business and we are well within our rights to send whomever we want to send there including Rep, Dem, or anyone else. Are you so totally ignorant that you believe that McCain just went there on a whim without congress and the pres knowing about it? And Israel has nothing to do with it except as a usefull tool to talk about for those who know nothing about the relationship between them and Egypt.
Yes, the US and Egypt have business, and people. And some of those people are idiots, who just have to stick their nose into other people's business. It's an Arab problem, let them handle it. Or are you so totally ignorant that you can't figure out, that in time, the Egyptian people will have the govt the people want?
poor john nothing else to do! if groups such as this were operating in the U.S. to find a leader that they could impose on us, what do you think might happen to them, maybe it has we will never be told.
It's another world over there!? Guess all know. When our peoples (German) were kept in the former Yugoslavia we had to hide our Bibles and perform a Mass in different houses each time, but were found out several times..and most of the Bibles were taken. So what if they got burned, they were not made by any God, nor his hands.
I was small, yet I know how the Woman felt..all of our Man were pulled into the war, my Father never came back, our homes and fields were taken by Serbs. Long story (History)
The reason this slightly "fits" a bit of what I read, is, that we saw sacks & sacks of food...labeled "USA" but we did not get any of it. Later we learned that not only Germany, but the US also sent $$$, so we would be treated OK..never happened. And now for more Years than I want to count the US (among other Countries) have sent $$$ to foreign Land..to keep peace..most often than not..for "them" not to kill their own.
So..figure out who sent OUR OWN to be killed..in places they never knew before.
All stay safe...
One man's pro-democracy worker, is another man's anarchist. If you go into another country and stir the pot, anything can happen.
It's the same as contractor = mercenary soldier. Media lies.
If contractor = mercenary soldier then malicchio = idiot. malocchio lies.
you're wrong
Every time Obama apologizes for the USA he is being a traitor to the USA and to god . He is not an american he is a muslum.
That is a simply ridiculous statement.
First off, he's not a Muslim. But if he were, that means he couldn't be an American?
Secondly, if someone representing the US does something stupid, there is nothing wrong with apologizing. It's called being an adult and accepting responsibility for your actions.
"President Barack Obama has urged Egypt's military rulers to drop the investigation, and high-level officials, including Republican Sen. John McCain, have flown in to Cairo to seek a solution." That doesn't sound like an apology. Are you referring to the episode in Afghanistan about the military burning the Quoran perhaps? A vital part of foreign relations is developing and keeping good relationships with leaders of other countries. It's called diplomacy. It's how the world operates, or at least it should be.
To all respondents: Please, please take a deep breath and think before you write. If all of you have been following the latest news the Egytian military has reneged on their promises to move Egypt toward democracy.
I totally disagree that President Obama is a Muslim. He is a Christian just like me. I do not condone what has happened to this individual.
The only thing we can do to secure the release of these Americans is to pray, pray, and pray some more.
I've always wondered why Americans feel they have the right to go to another country and meddle in their politics. Then these folks look to the U.S. government to bail them out when they blunder into trouble.
Are they liberals?
I don't think their political philosophy is the issue. It's the idea that you can interfere in another country's politics that seems arrogant.
:)
manifest destiny....what else do you want to know?
Grandad,Manifest Destiny isn't in the History books any more ,or it isn't taught.
fubaro3-- I wiki'd it. Its the U.S. expanding, taking over. :)
We have threatened to cut payments to Egypt? Threatened? Do it, don't threaten. When will DC and the administration, as well as others in the past, open it's eyes and realize no matter how much we help them, they are not gratefula dn they will turn against us. It happens time after time and yet we continue to spend our money and the lives of our soldiers. Mr. President, stop sending my money overseas, stop sending our friends and family overseas to fight wars we have no intention of winning for a nation that will not be appreciative and will not remain an alli. STOP IT NOW!
Jim its funny you could insert Israel in place of Egypt and be just as right.
Cluck, cluck, cluck. What? What's that sound? Could it be the chickens, coming home to roost?
This is not news.....Egypt has its own huge problems, last thing they need is "democracy" chit-chat from some freaking foreiner...
That sounds like US vegetarians go to Africa and tell the poor and hungry why its not good to eat meat...
What MSNBC should focus on is the latest important news from israel; The government approved yet more settlements yesterday...Expose real dirty side of so called "friend of US".... Thats what really concern me as US citizen, we are tired of going to war with Arabs because of brats in israel...
Gosh...you are absolutely right....it's coming back to me now....Afghanistan was all about 'brats in Israel"...(and all this time I thought is was about 9/11 attacks!).....Iraq was all about "brats in Israel" (Colin Powell was eloquent at the UN claiming 'brats in Israel,' (not WMDs or umpteen UN resolution violations, or Saddam gassing his own people) was the real problem with Iraq. Wow, how could we have missed this?
The military, in Egypt, is trying to stay in power. They have a TON of money making schemes to protect! The LAST thing, that they want, is for a democratic government to look into their "businesses". If they were smart, they would quickly transfer their "businesses" into a semi-legal status and become civilians. Then they let the "democratic" Muslim Brotherhood debate the principles of Sharia Law..... in a democracy. (That should be great fun!)
The US funds these pro-democracy groups then claims no responsibility, the Egyptians might be looking a democracy in the US and see 1% of the population with all the wealth and the other 99% paying their way. Just maybe the Egyptians want a government that treats all citizens as equals and the elderly, sick and poor don't have to give up their meager earnings to give tax breaks to the millionares. The Egyptians just went through this when the US supported the Murbarak government with billions of dollars and the regular citizens in Egypt never saw 1 penny of the aide that the US sent. Murbarak and his family and friends were willing to do as told by the US and raked in millions of dollars. We have to take money out of the political process because other nation of the world are watching and are witnessing the slow steady destruction of the constitution of the United States by the republican party. How much justice can you afford today.
Similar to those idiots that "wandered" into Iran (claiming they didn't know where the border was). Two, three years later, you can get you life back....maybe....hope it was worth it to you. Two, three years from now she can go home....hope it was worth it to you. And...when you finally get out of Eqypt, take a walking trip up around the Iranian border....see how that works out for you....
It was total disgrace to support the modern slave Mubarak. US fed that lowlife with billions in return for "good" relationship with israel..While the average egyptian is freaked up, stripped off of their identity...
Ido not think egyptians forgot it, and nor should they...
That's what you get when you try an establish a 100% fabricated democracy in a country you have absolutely no business in..... This has been a strategy to secure oil rights and trade nothing more and nothing less... It has never been about the interests of citizens from other countries....
When Israel goes against our interests do we threaten the 3 bill plus we give them or even all the military R and D we fund with them? Never, Israel has a free pass to do anything they want without any consequence, they own our govt.
I get a kick out of the spin the author tries to put on this by calling them "Pro Democracy". I think they would be closer to A.C.O.R.N. Foreign agitators have no business in any country.
Remember when Egypt was our friend and Americans could vacation there? Then Obama became President and our relationship deteriorated quickly. Now U.S. citizens and journalists are no longer safe there.
Are you sure that he isn't muslim? His dad was.
When are people going to learn,things,times have changed. Maybe years ago it was okay to travel to the Middleeast,but now,its way tooooooooooooooooooo dangerous to,they all want our heads,especially after the Koran burning,its not safe to go to these places anymore!
Lets get involved with Egypt and Libya and Syria and Iran and iraq and Afghanistan and everyone else that hates us and Democracy and lets neglect those that live in the USA and foreclose on their homes and take away their rights to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness because we are so concerned with the rights of our enemies. Does it really surprise you that people in the USA stock up on guns and ammunition? The only person you can trust is the one behind the trigger and hopefully that person is you. Lunacy has taken over the world close the gates and bunker down let the middle east survive and or die on its own. They don't need us nor do they want us unless its for money and or weapons so they can kill us later.
As usual Newt and his followers float in the abyss of ignorance and step up like the back seat drivers that they will always be. The apology was about protecting the Americans who are in the worst situation possible. "By Any Means Necessary," It is obvious and unfortunate that those who preach, do not practice. Let us recognize that if you have only learned to hate and promote hate, you will never be capable of seeing the forrest for the trees. Those who feel comfortable going over and taking one for the team, do so immediately!
I am Egyptian . We need to live our own democracy . We could make our own elections , have our own Parliament members and after 4 months we will have our elected president . Egypt still a country with Muslim majority, so there is no problem to be ruled with Muslim Brotherhood party ( known as Liberty and Justice Party ) . Please , American friends , try to respect our choice and never to interfere in our business .