Letter to Barack Obama, President of the United States - Withholding Foreign Aid to Egypt Until President Mubarak Begins Transition to Democratically-Elected Government
Letter
U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) sent a letter to President Obama asking that he make it clear to President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt that the Government of Egypt will not receive one more cent of American money until he begins the peaceful, orderly transition to a democratically elected government today, including immediately lifting restrictions on the press and social media.
The full text of the letter is as follows:
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I write today to ask that you make it clear to President Hosni Mubarak that the Government Egypt will not receive one more cent of American money until he begins the peaceful, orderly transition to a democratically elected government today. He should begin by immediately lifting the restrictions on the press and social media.
Violence and oppression against peaceful protesters cannot be tolerated. As today's attack on peaceful protestors makes clear, delaying his departure only risks further destabilization and loss of life. As he has done repeatedly in the past, Mubarak has again responded to his people's demand for an open and democratic society with a big stick-with the view that he can beat the spirit out of them with fear and intimidation. His belated commitment yesterday to leave office after the next Presidential election is as empty as his repeated promise to lift the emergency law that has choked dissent in Egypt for thirty years. Egypt and its people cannot wait months for change. Reform must start today.
I have sought previously to limit foreign aid to Egypt, but certainly now we must send the unmistakable message to Mubarak and all dictators who are watching our response that we will not continue to waste money propping up his tyranny. Families in Egypt, America, and across the globe are safer when our tax dollars are not used to finance oppression. America is the beacon of democracy in the world. We must lead by our deeds and our words.
Sincerely,
Lloyd Doggett
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