By Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
CAIRO, Egypt-Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, began her three day trip in Egypt Tuesday, meeting with Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood leaders. Ashton will also hold meetings with key members of Egypt’s interim government, including President Adly Mansour and Defense Minister General Abdell Fattah el-Sisi.
Ashton makes her trip against the backdrop of pro-Morsi Islamist movement that has resulted in hundreds of Brotherhood members being killed and leaders jailed on charges of inciting or taking part in violence.
“It is important to find ways to have the right kind of dialogue and that’s what we have been urging everyone. My guess is that process will take a little time to do but it’s important for everybody to feel that they are able to participate in the process as well as ultimately in political life,” stated Ashton after meeting with General el-Sisi.
The three day visit to Cairo has been interpreted as a renewed attempt to reach an agreement between the transitional government and the Muslim Brotherhood, who have been butting heads since the overthrowing of President Morsi.
The Brotherhood, which has won every election since a popular revolt overthrew autocrat Hosni Mubarak in 2011, has amassed animosity from the military that has set out to eradicate them. Meanwhile, the Brotherhood issued a statement on Thursday denouncing the military, comparing it to Adolf Hitler.
Amr Darrag, a senior member of the Brotherhood, said on Wednesday topics discussed with Ashton included the political deadlock in Egypt, but insisted that Egyptians must resolve these issues on their own, without foreign aid.
“We didn’t represent our personal opinions but expressed to Ashton the views of the people. The Egyptian people continue to take to the streets with specific demands and in opposition to the current policies. Our role is to convey their voices,” stated Darrag.
Ashton responded saying “In terms of inclusiveness, it means trying to involve everyone, that also means reaching out to each other. We don’t insist on anything, this is your country.”
Throughout every meeting, Ashton repeatedly urged Egypt to enact an inclusive democratic process that will engage all factions, while voicing concern over the use of violence against Morsi supporters and a deepening polarization since his ousting.
In a later statement, Darrag said that discussions centered on regional issues and the demands to return ousted President Morsi back to power by the anti-coup alliance were not discussed. Morsi has been in military custody in an unknown location since being deposed by the military on July 3.
For more information, please see the following:
Ahram-EU’s Ashton meets with Egypt political forces-October 3, 2013
Daily News-Ashton meets with broad spectrum of political players-October 3, 2013
Reuters-EU’s Ashton says crucial for all to join Egyptian political process-October 3, 2013
Aljazeera-EU envoy meets Brotherhood leaders in Egypt-October 2, 2013
