STATEMENT BY SENATORS LIEBERMAN, MCCAIN, AYOTTE ON THE SITUATION IN EGYPT

Washington, D.C. ­– U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT), John McCain (R-AZ), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today released the following statement on the situation in Egypt:

“The current crisis with the Egyptian government has escalated to such a level that it now threatens our long-standing partnership. There are committed opponents of the United States and the U.S.-Egypt relationship within the government in Cairo who are exacerbating tensions and inflaming public opinion in order to advance a narrow political agenda. At the same time, there are people of good will in both countries, civilian and military, who are working hard to resolve this crisis. This cannot happen soon enough.

“A resolution must be reached that ends the harassment and prosecution of the employees of U.S. non-governmental organizations operating in Egypt, returns their confiscated property, enables their American and foreign personnel to leave the country, ensures the safety and human rights of their Egyptian staff members and civil society partners, and registers these U.S. groups in a way that will enable them to operate without undue restrictions in Egypt. We continue to believe that a solution to this crisis is achievable, and it is clearly in both Egypt’s and America’s national interests to do everything we can to bring it about as soon as possible. If such a resolution is not reached soon, however, we are concerned that consequential damage could be done to the U.S.-Egypt partnership. Congressional support for Egypt – including continued financial assistance – is in jeopardy. A rupture in relations would be disastrous, and the risks of such an outcome have rarely been greater.”

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