Politicians asserted that statements made by Margaret Scooby, the US nominee ambassador to Cairo, in which she pledged to pressure Egypt to achieve reform and free former al-Ghad Party President Ayman Nour, are a kind of political opportunism and a means to obtain the US Congress’ approval. Meanwhile, some considered her statements to be an early intervention in Egypt’s internal affairs, which are consistent with the US administration’s declared position on these issues.
The Foreign Ministry has not commented on Scobey’s statements, saying that any comment would require careful consideration of the context in which they were made, adding that if necessary, a statement could be issued on this matter either today or tomorrow at the latest.
Dr. Wahid Abdel Meguid, an expert at al-Ahram Political and Strategic Studies Center, said that Scobey is known in American circles as an incompetent ambassador who has not succeeded in any post she undertook.
He pointed out that she is well aware that she would not be appointed without Congress’ consent, and in order to secure that, she must talk about issues such as reform.
He added that Scobey deceived Congress by telling them things she knows she will not do, as she is merely an officer at the US administration who can only carry out the administration’s demands. Abdel Meguid described her statements as a kind of expediency and political lies aimed at manipulating Congress.
He added that the US Congress can be easily manipulated by the Jewish lobby, among others. According to Abdel Meguid, such statements would not affect her accreditation as ambassador to Cairo, saying that the Egyptian government is familiar with the games of the US policy and understands the purpose of such statements.
Dr. Abdel Moneim Said, the head of al-Ahram Political and Strategic Studies Center, said that Scobey is well aware that these are the issues currently raised in Congress and that is why she mentioned them. He affirmed that it would be difficult for an ambassador to secure Congress’ approval without saying what Scobey said.
He added that her statements are an early intervention in Egypt’s internal affairs as she has not been appointed as ambassador yet, noting that Egypt has to deal with her statements and let her tell Congress what she pleases, but when it came to actually pressuring Egypt, this would be totally unacceptable.
He noted that Scobey’s nomination was initially approved by Egypt, explaining that states do not usually nominate an ambassador before obtaining the consent of the host State, and affirming that it would be difficult for Egypt to backtrack on its approval because of these statements, especially as it is well aware of the decision making mechanism in the United States.
