[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S12017]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     UNITED STATES POLICY TO EGYPT

 Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, I have visited Egypt and other 
nations in the Middle East several times. Egypt is playing a key role 
in the peace process. As former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger 
said, ``Without Egypt, there is no war, without Syria, there is no 
peace.'' A strong and healthy Egypt that has an open and peaceful 
relationship with Israel and its neighbors is a key to ensuring 
stability in the Middle East.
  Former President Anwar Sadat and the current President, Hosni 
Mubarak, have helped develop a vibrant and growing Egypt and secure an 
enduring stable peace with Israel. Under President Sadat, Egypt became 
the first Arab nation to make peace with Israel. Making that peace 
allowed Egypt to concentrate on other domestic priorities and Israel's 
other neighbors to become accustomed to the notion of peace with 
Israel. And, even after his death, President Sadat's dream of an 
expanded peace in a more stable Middle East began to take greater 
shape.
  President Mubarak continued Sadat's rapprochement with Israel and 
helped contribute to plans for establishing a Palestinian homeland. He 
also worked for greater dialog with Israel and other Arab nations that 
remained technically, at war with Israel. In light of Egypt's 
precarious position, though, President Mubarak has been under immense 
pressure from domestic as well as international forces.
  Since 1992, the Government has been under attack from an Islamic 
guerrilla group that has committed several acts of terrorism. In 
response, the Egyptian Government has for the past 4 years resorted to 
military tribunals, whose methods and procedures are often unfair, to 
try Islamic militants, as well as moderate political opposition 
members. Egyptians have also been illegally detained and allegedly 
tortured while in police and military custody. While Egypt's human 
rights record is not as bad as most nations in the region, I am still 
concerned.
  I am also concerned that too much of U.S. foreign aid to Egypt goes 
to the military. Egypt's unemployment rate is over 17 percent, almost 
50 percent of its people live at or below the poverty line, and 
pollution remains an intractable problem. The United States can help 
Egypt more effectively by putting less emphasis on military aid, and 
more on economic aid so that Egypt can invest in its infrastructure, 
worker training, and education.
  Egypt, as a leader in the Arab world, sets an example for other 
nations to follow. It cannot remain a stabilizing force if its military 
grows, while its economy suffers and its own citizens are mistreated 
and jailed without trial or thorough investigation. Fighting terrorism 
does not have to lead to abrogation of civil liberties. As I approach 
my return to academia, I will continue to encourage ways for the United 
States Egypt partnership to achieve greater peace and stability in the 
Middle East.
  Mr. President, we must recognize that a stable and secure Egypt is 
good for peace in the Middle East. It is in the United States best 
interst to see a democratic Egypt with human rights observed.

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