U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT COMMENTS REGARDING REFERENDUM ON EGYPTIAN CONSTITUTION

 

Reliefs showing the god Horus defeating his uncle Seth at the Temple of Horus at Edfu. The reliefs probably were damaged by early Christians to remove faces and hands.

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

Referendum on the Egyptian Constitution
Press Statement
Patrick Ventrell
Acting Deputy Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
December 25, 2012
This past weekend, the draft Egyptian constitution passed a public referendum. We have stood with Egyptians as they have engaged in the difficult work of democratic transition. We have consistently supported the principle that democracy requires much more than simple majority rule. It requires protecting the rights and building the institutions that make democracy meaningful and durable.

The future of Egypt’s democracy depends on forging a broader consensus behind its new democratic rules and institutions. Many Egyptians have voiced deep concerns about the substance of the constitution and the constitutional process. President Morsi, as the democratically elected leader of Egypt, has a special responsibility to move forward in a way that recognizes the urgent need to bridge divisions, build trust, and broaden support for the political process. We have called for genuine consultation and compromise across Egypt’s political divides. We hope those Egyptians disappointed by the result will seek more and deeper engagement. We look to those who welcome the result to engage in good faith. And we hope all sides will re-commit themselves to condemn and prevent violence.

Only Egyptians can decide their country’s future. The United States remains committed to helping them realize the aspirations that drove their revolution and complete a successful democratic transition. Egypt needs a strong, inclusive government to meet its many challenges. Its future depends not on the ability of one side to prevail over the other, but on the commitment of all to engage in an inclusive process to negotiate their differences - on the constitution and on the laws implementing it - and to find a more united path forward.

SEC. OF DEFENSE PANETTA URGES POLITICAL TRANSITION IN EGYPT

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Panetta Urges Egypt's Military Chief to Continue Political Transition
By Nick Simeone
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta called the leader of Egypt's ruling military council today and encouraged him to move forward with a political transition in that country, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

In a written statement issued today, Little said Panetta called Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi to discuss current events in Egypt "including the recent Supreme Constitutional Court ruling on the Egyptian parliament." Little said Panetta "highlighted the need to move forward expeditiously with Egypt's political transition, including conducting new legislative elections as soon as possible."

Yesterday, Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court ordered the elected parliament dissolved, two days before a presidential run-off election was set to be held, and more than a year after a popular uprising forced longtime President Hosni Mubarak from power.
During today's call, Little said Field Marshal Tantawi reiterated the Egyptian military's commitment to hold free and fair presidential elections as scheduled, and to transfer power to a democratically elected government by July 1.

Little said Panetta "underscored ... the need to ensure a full and peaceful transition to democracy" in Egypt, and he looks forward to working with Egypt's new government on issues of mutual interest.