Natalie Gonnella
As the world watches the unrest unfolding in Egypt, several Republicans have spoken out in response, addressing concerns for regional security and the future of democracy in the Middle East. With violence and political upheaval continuing to escalate, here's a look at what some GOP figures had to say about ongoing developments in the "Land of the Pharaohs":
Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee:
For far too long the democratic hopes of the Egyptian people have been suppressed. Their cries for freedom can no longer be silenced.I am deeply concerned about the Egyptian government's heavy-handed response seeking to silence the Egyptian people. It is imperative that all parties involved avoid violence. I am further concerned that certain extremist elements inside Egypt will manipulate the current situation for nefarious ends. The U.S. and other responsible nations must work together to support the pursuit of freedom, democracy, and human rights in Egypt and throughout the world.
Representative Thaddeus McCotter, Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee:
The Egyptian demonstrations are not the equivalent of Iran's 2009 Green Revolution. The Egyptian demonstrations are the reprise of Iran's 1979 radical revolution. Thus, America must stand with her ally Egypt to preserve an imperfect government capable of reform; and prevent a tyrannical government capable of harm. For if Egypt is radicalized, all of the reforms sought by the Egyptian people and supported by the United States with them - including consensual and constitutional government; free elections; open and unbridled media; and Egyptian control of their natural resources - will be lost. Nascent democratic movements in the region will be co-opted and radicalized. The world's free and open access to the Suez Canal's vital commercial shipping lanes will be choked. And the Sinai Accord between Egypt and Israel - which must be protected as the foundation and principal example for Mideast peace - will be shredded
John Bolton, former US Ambassador to the UN:
I don't think we have evidence yet that these demonstrations are necessarily about democracy. You know the old saying, "one person, one vote, one time." The Muslim Brotherhood doesn't care about democracy, if they get into power you're not going to have free and fair elections either. And I think there is substantial reason, for example, to worry the minority Coptic Christian population, about 10% of the population will be very worried if the Muslim Brotherhood came to power. Let's be clear what the stakes are for the United States. We have an authoritarian regime in power that has been our ally. We don't know at this point what the real alternatives are.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
The destabilization of Egypt could have extraordinary impact, far more than Tunisia...One of the things I’ve noticed is you have two relatively peaceful nations in both Jordan and Egypt. As both of these nations start seeing unrest, it's going to cause an extraordinary sense of anxiety within the tiny nation of Israel already surrounded by some folks who don't like them. And the cold peace that has existed, is a very fragile peace, and one that could be disrupted by what's going on.
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