Reda responds to article underrating Egypt - US relations

CAIRO - 1 January 2018: Egypt’s Ambassador to the United States Yasser Reda responded to Andrew Miller and Richard Sokolsky's article, published in the New York Times, underestimating the two countries' mutual relations, in a note to the editor published by the same newspaper on December 31.

Reda’s note published as a "letter to the editor" stated that Egypt is exerting great efforts to counter terrorism and develop the religious discourse with the aid and support of the United States.

He also added that Egypt has recently implemented a very challenging economic reform program which is observed by the international entities and has achieved most of its agreed goals.

“These efforts are aligned with America’s long-term interests in the region. A country diligently working to this end should be supported, not alienated. America reaps many benefits from supporting Egypt and advancing our shared priorities. The assistance that the writers want to reduce has always been, and should remain, a tool to support allies, not one to 'extract concessions',” Reda stated in his note to the editor.

On December 18, both of Andrew Miller and Richard Sokolsky wrote an opinion article titled “Actually, Egypt Is a Terrible Ally”, in which they have criticized the United States' support for Egypt, saying that the country is not any longer a strategic ally.

Both of the writers called on American Vice President Mike Pence to discuss with Egypt’s President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi the possibility of reducing the American military assistance to Egypt as the two countries' interests became very divergent.

“American and Egyptian interests are increasingly divergent and the relationship now has far less common purpose than it once did. Mr. Pence should make clear to Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, Egypt’s president, that the two countries need a reset, beginning with a major reduction in American military assistance.”

Pence was scheduled to visit the Middle East during last month; however the visit was delayed twice. And finally on December 19, the White House announced in a statement that the visit that includes Egypt and Israel was delayed until mid-January to witness the senate vote on tax code changes.

“The largest tax cut in American history is a landmark accomplishment for President Trump and a relief to millions of hardworking Americans,” the statement read. Adding, “The vice president is committed to seeing the tax cut through to the finish line. The vice president looks forward to traveling to Egypt and Israel in January.”

This delay, however, came in line with Trump’s latest decision regarding Jerusalem, as many Egyptian religious leaders including Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb, and Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, announced that they will not meet pence after his arrival due to the American administration's decision.