Gamal Mubarak, Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Policies Committee, has met with a limited number of US political leaders, intellectuals and researchers in Washington amid "tightened media blackout" on the activities of the meeting, which was described by a source close to the Egyptian diplomats in Washington as a meeting introducing NDP to the US. The official spokesman for the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington said the "Egyptian side" called for not revealing the meeting's details. You have to contact Gamal Mubarak's office to obtain approval on knowing the details of this closed-door meeting, he said.
However, America in Arabic news agency reported that the meeting was held yesterday morning under the chairmanship of the US veteran researcher John Alterman, Director of the Middle East Program in the CSIS, who also refused to disclose details of the meeting. It is scheduled that Gamal Mubarak will also convene a similar meeting in the Center for American Progress, known as close to President Obama. This center was founded by President Bill Clinton's administration.
The center, which is run by John Bodesta, coordinator of Obama's transition planning, is tantamount to an "incubator" to the officials in Obama's administration.
Jennifer Palmieri, the Senior Vice President for Communications at American Progress, said the meeting was organized by experts in national security. An official close to the Egyptian diplomats said a number of decision-makers, media men and a limited number of US officials have been invited to the meeting. According to America in Arabic, Gamal Mubarak will hold a number of meetings with "undeclared" names of members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Gamal Mubarak's meetings will continue until tomorrow. His visit coincided with a snow storm that may negatively affect the level of attendance at meetings, the news agency said.
