CAIRO: It is in Egypt's interest to push for democracy and respect human rights said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Thursday as she met with Egyptian democracy activists in Washington. "It is in Egypt s interest to move more toward democracy and to exhibit more respect for human rights, Clinton said a day after meeting with Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Intelligence Omar Suleiman. During a press conference with Aboul Gheit, Clinton said she had raised issues "pertaining to democracy and human rights during her discussions with the foreign minister. "We are interested in working constructively with the Egyptian Government, and I think that there is a great opportunity to not only work together but listen to each other and figure out the best way forward to achieve common objectives, she said. President Barack Obama is due in Egypt June 4 where he will make a speech to address the Muslim world, but as the time of his visit comes closer many wonder if Egypt's human rights record will be on the agenda. Clinton insisted that human rights would be on the agenda during Obama's visit, adding that it was a key aspect of US foreign policy. Though the US is making a concerted effort to meet Egyptian pro-democracy advocates in the US, activists here believe that the human rights issues will always come in second to US interests in the region and that real change can only come from within. "We have learned from the previous [US] administration that reform in Egypt is our concern, and our job, Hossam Bahgat from the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights previously told Daily News Egypt For his part Aboul Gheit said in the press conference with Clinton that the new US administration differentiated itself from the previous one led by George Bush by listening to explanations behind certain actions. It "is very important to listen and to understand where you come from and what are the reasons and the reasoning behind this or that action. I think they are very much different than the Bush Administration. I wouldn t characterize that as good or bad, but there are differences, in attitude at least, he said.
