[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 11864-11865]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                 EGYPT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 18, 2013

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I watched with great interest the recent 
events in Egypt where millions took to the street in support of real 
democracy, real freedom, and the actual upholding and protection of 
fundamental human rights. Sadly, those who promote and preach violence 
continue to assert the dominance of their ideology and rights to the 
exclusion and detriment of anyone who does not agree with them.
  In light of these recent events, I would like to submit for the 
Record a short letter from the Board of Governors of the American 
Chamber of Commerce in Egypt regarding Egypt and the desires of the 
Egyptian people.
  The business community, the human rights and democracy activists, and 
even Egyptian

[[Page 11865]]

government officials are asking for our support for democracy and 
freedom.
  In light of these recent events, it is vital to note that due to the 
complete absence of an impeachment process and a working parliament, 
there was no established mechanism for a transition of power--the only 
course of action available and possible to the people was ``popular 
impeachment.''
  It is critical that the Egyptian people know that we stand with them 
in this time of transition as they seek, once again, to draft a 
Constitution that protects and upholds the rights of all Egyptians and 
maintains international norms and standards, and as they seek to build 
and strengthen institutions and processes of democracy, transparency, 
and freedom.
  I urge the Congress to respond to recent events in Egypt by 
supporting and working with those in the country who desire to protect 
and uphold fundamental human rights and to build and strength democracy 
and freedom for all Egyptians.

                                                  American Chamber


                                         of Commerce in Egypt,

                                                     July 7, 2013.
       As Americans celebrated their Independence Day and reminded 
     the world of the values of democracy based on the principles 
     of inclusiveness, respect for the rights of minorities and 
     equality for all, millions of Egyptians went to the streets, 
     throughout the country, to demand their own democracy and the 
     right to a better life and a better Egypt.
       The historic developments that began June 30 included 
     widespread demonstrations across Egypt's governorates 
     involving more than 25 million Egyptians. The protests vastly 
     exceeded the numbers that ignited the January 25th Revolution 
     in 2011, and is believed to have been the largest peaceful 
     demonstration in world history. This citizen-led ``coup for 
     democracy'' was a genuine reflection of the fact that the 
     peoples' desire for real democratic change remained 
     unfulfilled.
       The popular demonstrations, according to many Egyptians, 
     stemmed from flagrant violations of democratic principles, 
     starting with then President Mohamed Morsi's constitutional 
     declaration in November 2012, in which he effectively 
     declared himself above the law. Egypt's first democratically-
     elected president, whom we genuinely hoped would be a 
     president for all Egyptians, wantonly expanded his powers and 
     focused on implementing an ideological agenda rather than 
     addressing the serious economic crisis facing the country. He 
     deliberately blocked the creation of a constitution that 
     guaranteed checks and balances and provided equality for all. 
     The president's refusal to compromise and his gross 
     mismanagement of government affairs jeopardized the stability 
     of the region's most populous nation and directly affected 
     its crucial strategic role.
       It is important to note that it was not economic failures 
     that precipitated the demonstrations of June 30, but rather, 
     the vast majority of demonstrators saw a blatant attempt by 
     the government to reshape Egypt's complex, multi-variant, 
     pluralistic culture by dismantling the judiciary, suppressing 
     the independent media, repressing freedom of speech and 
     dissent and refusing to recognize the rights of minorities 
     and women. The Egyptian people demanded these rights and 
     values following the January 25 revolution, but they were 
     dismissed and ignored by the government that came to power.
       The American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt is the leading 
     business association in Egypt and the Middle East with over 
     1,800 members. For over 35 years, we have promoted business 
     relations between the United States and Egypt, during which 
     time we have built a strong network of business leaders, 
     Members of Congress and their staffs, executive branch 
     officials, and other decision and policy makers in Egypt and 
     the United States. Today, AmCham is communicating a message 
     to its network of friends and business partners.
       All of AmCham's members share a commitment to a strong 
     U.S.-Egypt relationship at all levels and an Egyptian economy 
     based on a free market, opportunities for youth, job 
     creation, better education, entrepreneurship and active 
     participation in the global economy. At this critical 
     juncture, we believe that Egypt's relationship with the 
     United States is critical to the long-term success of Egypt's 
     revolutionary process and beyond. We therefore believe it is 
     imperative that the United States:
       acknowledge that June 30 was a ``people's revolution'' and 
     nothing else;
       support the transitional plan for new, free, transparent 
     multi-party elections;
       provide leadership in the international community to 
     mobilize the economic assistance that Egypt requires in the 
     short-term to stabilize its economy;
       initiate a sustained high-level economic dialogue with 
     Egypt designed to create the conditions for long term, 
     private-sector led growth;
       encourage U.S. businesses to invest in Egypt.
       A strong, stable, moderate and truly democratic Egypt is in 
     the best interest of both countries, and those interests 
     would be adversely affected if current U.S. policymakers 
     elect to disengage from Egypt and its people in their quest 
     for true democracy or reduce current levels of support for 
     the Egyptian military. Over the past two years, many of the 
     largest U.S. multinationals who are active members of AmCham 
     (including many Fortune 500 companies) have remained engaged 
     in and committed to Egypt. They are bullish on Egypt's future 
     and its future prospects. They are confident that the 
     Egyptian people will settle for nothing less than a real 
     democracy and an economy that offers opportunity for all.
       In that spirit, and during this difficult period in Egypt's 
     history, AmCham appreciates the support you have offered 
     Egypt over many years and looks forward to stronger business 
     ties between Egypt and the United States that are based on 
     mutual respect and understanding. Most importantly, we 
     appreciate your continuous and invaluable support to Egypt 
     and the Egyptian people.
           Sincerely,

                                           Board of Governors,

                                              The American Chamber
     of Commerce in Egypt.

                          ____________________