CAIRO: The United Kingdom has no problem working with Islamist political parties, according to Irfan Siddiq, Head of the Arab Partnership Department at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. “We will work with the groups who are the successful groups,” Siddiq said at a press conference in Cairo Tuesday that outlined British democracy promotion policies. “We don't have a problem with parties just because they are maybe Islamist.” Siddiq said the UK does not wish to steal the Egyptian Revolution from them, as it belongs to the Egyptian people. “There is no contradiction between democracy and Islamist parties as far as we see.” Siddiq told reporters. “If they are successful and they are committed to the democratic process and are working partners, we have no problem with them.” "We do not have any ideas, any plans that say the revolution should be like this, and we wish government to be like this, parliament like this,” said the diplomat. “We are very conscious that every country is different and has unique political environment, political aspects and political histories." The former Deputy of Mission in Iraq said that United Kingdom is developing democracy in every country within its own culture, and there are measures that the Intentional Community respects. "We should respect the other and respect human rights; that does not means that we are stealing the revolution," he continued. In response to a question how Britain sees the situation in Egypt now, Siddiq said it is important to be clear that while Britain is looking for a political transition, it is not the UK's business to say what should happen. Siddiq did say there are general principles that are positive. Siddiq said clarity gives Egyptians confidence, while the lack of it is dangerous. The department aims to realize economic and political partnership programs with countries in the region, particularly Egypt. Britain will fund projects facilitating dialogues between different political groups to increase transparency and analyze problems in the region. The 110 million GBP (U.S. $172.2 million) programs will be implemented from 2011 to 2015 across the whole region, with 6 million GBP (U.S. $9.3 million) appropriated this year. One million GBP (U.S. 1.6 million) will be spent between April 2011 and March 2012 in Egypt. Siddiq met with officials to discuss economic development through supporting non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). As for partnership between British officials and their Egyptian counterparts, he said the agenda has been set for whole region as the issues are all linked. The program focuses on Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Morocco, and Algeria as those countries are well positioned to partner with Britian. Siddiq said the project concerns also other countries, but would change as the program develops. Due to the lack of communication between UK politicians and MPs, the program aims to fill this gap by utilizing organizations and democracy foundations, especially British groups. The program includes several activities including visits, workshops, and seminars. “Don't confuse us with the USAID, it's bilateral development,” Siddiq warned. “Agencies give direct support to countries for development, they have country programs and within these programs they work with groups like NGO's and others. This is very much the sort of thing that needs to be agreed upon with the country.”
