A cool welcome in Cairo for U.S. envoy as Mursi supporters gather
- 11 years ago
Deputy Secretary of State William Burns arrived in a divided Cairo Monday where both sides are furious at the United States, which supports Egypt with $1.5 billion a year in mostly military aid.
While Burns met with the interim leadership, both the Islamist Nour Party and the Tamarud anti-Mursi protest movement turned down invitations to meet him.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DEPUTY U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, WILLIAM BURNS, SAYING:
"Only Egyptians can determine their future. I did not come with American solutions. Nor did I come to lecture anyone."
Washington, never comfortable with the rise of Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood, has so far refused to say whether it views Mursi's removal as a coup, which would require it to halt aid. Burns focused on opportunities.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DEPUTY U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, WILLIAM BURNS, SAYING:
"Despite our concerns about the developments of the last two weeks we believe that the ongoing transition is another opportunit
While Burns met with the interim leadership, both the Islamist Nour Party and the Tamarud anti-Mursi protest movement turned down invitations to meet him.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DEPUTY U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, WILLIAM BURNS, SAYING:
"Only Egyptians can determine their future. I did not come with American solutions. Nor did I come to lecture anyone."
Washington, never comfortable with the rise of Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood, has so far refused to say whether it views Mursi's removal as a coup, which would require it to halt aid. Burns focused on opportunities.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DEPUTY U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, WILLIAM BURNS, SAYING:
"Despite our concerns about the developments of the last two weeks we believe that the ongoing transition is another opportunit