[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 165 (Monday, December 19, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2623-E2624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS WITH RESPECT TO THE 2005 ELECTIONS IN 
                                 EGYPT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JEFF FORTENBERRY

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Sunday, December 18, 2005

  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, as we consider the issue of democratic 
reform in Egypt, I think it is vitally important to assess progress in 
the context of the multifaceted cultural and philosophical challenges 
facing Egyptian society.
  None of us would deny the benefits of freedom and democracy or choose 
another path to justice for our nation. Egypt has also taken its first 
steps on the path to democracy in a region where this concept of 
governance is virtually unknown and untested, despite many internal and 
external obstacles.
  While this resolution draws attention to very legitimate and serious 
concerns that I share, I am concerned that as re-written, it amounts to 
a harsh censure that will accomplish little short of alienating the 
Egyptian government at a particularly volatile time in the history of 
the Middle East.
  Mr. Speaker, would it have been better if Egypt's elections had not 
been held at all?
  Looking at recent history, Egypt has borne significant sacrifices for 
the cause of peace and freedom in the Middle East. Formerly an ally of 
the Soviet Union, Egypt moved to establish diplomatic relations with 
Israel in 1978 after 30 years of hostilities. President Sadat paid a 
high price for Egypt's rapprochement with Israel. More recently, 
Ambassador Ihab ai-Sherif paid with his life for daring to defy the 
foes of democracy in Iraq.
  When I visited Sinai as an 18-year-old, I was struck by the graffiti 
scrawled on a twisted heap of concrete with the message: ``Here was the 
war--Here is the peace.'' For close to 30 years now, Egypt has stood by 
a courageous choice for peace. While no government is perfect, this 
choice has been consistent with a move toward democratic reform, 
however flawed, and however tenuous.
  Egypt's first contested presidential elections this September and the 
parliamentary elections held in December represent a significant 
achievement. Nevertheless, the unpleasant realities of high 
unemployment, threats of terrorism, internal political and religious 
strife, along with the vicious persecution of minority faith 
communities remain pressing concerns. While the state of democracy in 
Egypt is neither ideal nor established, we dismiss Egypt's concerns 
about the ``slippery slope to theocracy'' at our peril.
  During Secretary Rice's visit to American University in Cairo this 
summer, she recalled the words of President Bush's Second Inaugural 
Address: ``Our goal is to help others find their own voice, to attain 
their own freedom, and to make their own way.'' Secretary Rice went on 
to say that ``we know these advances will not come easily, or all at 
once.''
  I appreciate and share the heartfelt concern of my colleagues who are 
seeking to usher Egypt along the path toward a vibrant and

[[Page E2624]]

thriving democracy. However, I believe that we need to express this 
concern in a manner that acknowledges the accomplishments of the past, 
appreciates the challenges of the present, and carefully considers the 
options available to realize our hopes for the future.

                          ____________________