[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              INVESTIGATION OF MURDERS IN AL-KOSHEH, EGYPT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 27, 2000

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, today in a meeting of the House 
Appropriations Committee to consider the Foreign Operations, Export 
Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 
2001, I added the following Report language to the paragraph about U.S. 
financial aid to Egypt: ``Nevertheless, the Committee is concerned 
about ongoing violence experienced by the Christian minority in Egypt. 
The Committee urges Egypt to expedite the investigations of the murders 
of 2000 and 1998 in Al-Kosheh, and of the 1998 interrogations.''
  Mr. Speaker, it is a fact that Egypt is a valuable ally and has 
greatly helped U.S. efforts to advance peace in the Middle East. It is 
also a fact that Christians in Egypt, especially Coptic Christians, 
face ongoing violence and are in need of full protection of the 
Egyptian Judicial system. The worst of these outbreaks is the murder of 
21 persons in January, 2000 in the town of Al-Kosheh, just a few weeks 
after I visited Egypt with three other Members of Congress.
  My report language expresses the concern of the Committee about this 
violence and urges Egypt to expedite investigations regarding this 
incident but also of events in 1998 in the same small town. There were 
two murders in 1998 and allegations of brutal interrogations by the 
Police, 1014 Christians were arrested and interrogated.
  President Mubarak ordered an investigation of these arrests, and in 
August of 1999, 129 persons were interviewed within the course of two 
days. The interviewing process lapsed and then resumed in October of 
1999. To date, only 400 of those 1014 persons have been interviewed. 
That figure includes the 129. A conclusion of the investigation likely 
would suggest the dismissal or prosecution of several members of the 
Egyptian police. There is precedent for such action.
  When tourists were killed in Luxor, the reaction of Cairo was swift 
and decisive, including the appointment of a new Minister of the 
Interior, who oversees the police. That sent a powerful message 
throughout the country, and Egypt is currently a very safe country to 
visit. The great majority of Muslim citizens of Egypt are law-abiding 
and desire peace. I am afraid that because of concerns about possibly 
energizing extremist Muslim groups to the point of violence, Cairo is 
reluctant to prosecute Muslims when there are incidents of violence 
against Christians.
  Christians face a range of legal challenges and are in need of 
protection from violence. Since there is no stated government policy of 
discrimination, it is reasonable for Christian citizens to expect full 
justice from their courts, just as Muslim citizens do.
  Mr. Speaker, I suggest that the taxpayers of the United States would 
be more than happy to see some of their aid to Egypt used to pay for 
additional personnel or equipment which would expedite these 
investigations and lead to the prosecution of any found persons found 
guilty of torture or other violations of civil rights. I am especially 
concerned that Shayboub William Arsal has been falsely accused and 
sentenced to 15 years hard labor even though the only two witnesses 
recanted their testimony and stated that their original accusations 
were coerced.
  In accordance with Egypt's strategic alliance with the United States, 
the Foreign Operations Subcommittee agreed to the President's request 
to expedite a portion of Egypt's military aid. The adoption of these 
two sentences by the Full Committee in the Report expresses the 
expectation of the Appropriations Committee that Egypt will make 
progress on these important human rights matters.

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