Washington's ambassador in Cairo favours political reform in Egypt, though is careful not to get involved, reports Dina Ezzat US Ambassador to Egypt Margaret likes to keep a low profile. Since her arrival to Cairo a couple of years ago, she has hardly been party to any controversy at all. Her meetings with all the shakers and movers of the Egyptian political and economic scene seem very discrete, while her diplomatic endeavours are nonetheless intense. Today, with increased action on the home front ahead of legislative and presidential elections this and next year, and against the backdrop of speculation on the Egyptian president's health and political career, is careful to say that the US "has no say whatsoever" in domestic developments in Egypt and that what counts for the US is the "wide political participation of Egyptians". "Every citizen has the right to express [himself or herself]," said during a roundtable with representatives of the Egyptian press held at the heavily secured US Embassy in Cairo. But the lips of the US diplomat are sealed when asked to assess the likes of Mohamed El-Baradei, former director of the International Atomic Energy Agency who is currently leading a move towards constitutional and political reform in Egypt. "It is the process, not the individuals," says, insisting that it is the Egyptian people who have to make a choice. makes a U-turn: she qualifies the current state of affairs in Egypt, including the demonstrations of angry workers and frustrated politicians who call for the alleviation of economic injustice and political restrictions, as "healthy". But does the US ambassador think that the current political scene in Egypt is leading to democracy? qualifies current demonstrations of angry workers and frustrated politicians as "healthy". Can this kind of political pressure be sufficient to grab the attention of the government? is careful, slowly repeating her position: "Only Egyptians can decide." Does Ambassador call on the Egyptian officials that she meets regularly to lift the state of emergency in place now for some three decades? The answer is abrupt: is not willing to give out the details of her talks with Egyptian officials. "We support very much the debate on the future of Egypt and we support the broadening participation in general," she said. And on human rights? is not willing to use the language included in reports issued by US official bodies that criticise the Egyptian government for violations of human rights, preferring to refer to remarks in reports issued by the Egyptian National Council for Human Rights, "that was appointed by President [Hosni] Mubarak". The cautious US diplomat hastens to add that she herself has "not witnessed" any violations, while the US is opposed to any violations. The topic of the future cooperation between Egypt and the US in the areas of education and investment makes more comfortable, the diplomat breaking a smile and turning around to look her guests in the eye. referred to work underway to increase the volume of trade between Egypt and the US and to enhance the flow of US investment into Egypt. And she talks about the US commitment to offer Egyptian students more scholarships, and to invest in improving the facilities and quality of education in Egypt. is also comfortable to talk about the commitment of US President Barack Obama to pursue closer relations with Egypt and the Arab and Muslim world at large. She refers to upcoming multi-million dollar cooperation projects between the US and the entire Middle East in the areas of science and technology. She also says that before the end of the month announcements will be made that will make more concrete the US's outreach to the region.
