Egypt should take the initiative and end incoming US aid, writes Abdel-Moneim Said I was never a great fan of US aid to Egypt. This is not because I hate the US. I have always supported a close relationship between Egypt and the US, as long as it is founded on a basis of mutual interests. At the same time, I should not have to remind people that it is not wise to be on bad terms with the world's sole superpower. Whatever one might say about the rising power of China, American GDP is about three times larger than China's. Perhaps, as is generally predicted, China will catch up to the US by 2050, but that is still a long way off. Nevertheless, US aid always had this way of spoiling the relationship. It gave the Americans the impression that Egypt couldn't live without it, and it fed the impression, here, that we're better off when others are paying the bills. Unfortunately, it is not worthy of a country as ancient and proud as Egypt to live off the handouts of others. Nor is there a need to. After we introduced some minor reforms during the previous era, the flow of foreign investments (inclusive of US investments) began to climb until it reached $14 billion and we succeeded in building up a national reserve of $43 billion. In addition, we had more than $13 billion in revenues from tourism and more than $15 billion coming into the country in the form of remittances from Egyptians working abroad. Compare all this, even without counting revenues from other sources, such as exports and the Suez Canal, to the $150 million in US economic aid and $1.3 billion in the US military aid that is spent in the framework of "common" strategic interests in the Middle East. Consider this aid not only next to the resources we had already had, but also with what the power and energy of the revolution will be able to produce, which will be certainly far greater than anything achieved by a corrupt and weak regime. The point I am trying to make is that we should take the initiative to end American aid to Egypt. Then, we will roll up our sleeves and get to work. At the same time, we will open our country to investment, from Arab region and the rest of the world -- the US included. That way we will profit and others will profit along with us, but without the need to talk about gifts or handouts. But nor should we forget to send a thank you note to the US, expressing our gratitude for all that it has given to us in the past. As I said, we do not want to make enemies. If Washington wants a relationship with Egypt based on common interests and mutual respect, which implies mutual respect for each other's laws, then it is most welcome. However, if it is looking for special treatment or even political and financial facilities that US law would not permit to other countries inside the US, then we'll have say: Sorry, Egypt's dignity is not for sale.
