State Dept. to Hold Back Cash, Military Systems Until Egyptian Government is 'Inclusive'

Frustrated with a post-Morsi Egypt, the State Department announced today that it’s “recalibrating” its assistance to the country. From spokeswoman Jen Psaki:

The United States and Egypt have a longstanding partnership and many shared interests, including: promoting a stable, inclusive and prosperous Egypt; securing regional peace; and countering extremism. The United States wants to see Egypt succeed, and we believe the U.S.-Egypt partnership will be strongest when Egypt is represented by an inclusive, democratically elected civilian government based on the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and an open and competitive economy.

As a result of the review directed by President Obama, we have decided to maintain our relationship with the Egyptian government, while recalibrating our assistance to Egypt to best advance our interests. The United States will work with the interim Egyptian government and Congress to continue to provide support that directly benefits the Egyptian people in areas like health, education, and private sector development. We will continue assistance to help secure Egypt’s borders, counter terrorism and proliferation, and ensure security in the Sinai. We will continue to provide parts for U.S.-origin military equipment as well as military training and education. We will, however, continue to hold the delivery of certain large-scale military systems and cash assistance to the government pending credible progress toward an inclusive, democratically elected civilian government through free and fair elections. The United States continues to support a democratic transition and oppose violence as a means of resolving differences within Egypt. We will continue to review the decisions regarding our assistance periodically and will continue to work with the interim government to help it move toward our shared goals in an atmosphere free of violence and intimidation.

The U.S. has been pushing for an “inclusive” system that allows the Muslim Brotherhood since the Tamarod revolution. The Egyptians maintain that the MB has wrecked the country to its current state by pushing for Islamism, repressing ethnic and religious minorities, and brutally suppressing dissent. Mohammed Morsi goes on trial Nov. 4 to face charges of killing and torturing protesters outside the presidential palace last December.