Press Statement Patrick Ventrell Acting Deputy Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC December 25, 2012
This past weekend, the draft Egyptian constitution passed a public referendum. We have stood with Egyptians as they have engaged in the difficult work of democratic transition. We have consistently supported the principle that democracy requires much more than simple majority rule. It requires protecting the rights and building the institutions that make democracy meaningful and durable.
The future of Egypt’s democracy depends on forging a broader consensus behind its new democratic rules and institutions. Many Egyptians have voiced deep concerns about the substance of the constitution and the constitutional process. President Morsi, as the democratically elected leader of Egypt, has a special responsibility to move forward in a way that recognizes the urgent need to bridge divisions, build trust, and broaden support for the political process. We have called for genuine consultation and compromise across Egypt’s political divides. We hope those Egyptians disappointed by the result will seek more and deeper engagement. We look to those who welcome the result to engage in good faith. And we hope all sides will re-commit themselves to condemn and prevent violence. MORE.
TechCamp Inspires Young People in North Africa
About the Author: Rebecca Wainess serves in the Office of the Secretary of State’s Senior Advisor for Innovation.
Three years ago at the Forum for the Future, Secretary Clinton announced the Civil Society 2.0 initiative, in Marrakech, Morocco. The program was created to help grassroots organizations around the world increase their digital literacy to share their stories, build their memberships and connect to their community of peers around the world. Today, the TechCamp program has become the cornerstone of this initiative by providing hands-on training to more than 1,200 organizations from 84 countries to date.
Three years after the launch of the Civil Society 2.0 Initiative, we returned to Morocco to host TechCamp Morocco. Focused on youths and employment, this TechCamp brought together… more »
The United States’ Reaction to Egypt’s November 22 Decisions
Press Statement Victoria Nuland Department Spokesperson Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC November 23, 2012
The decisions and declarations announced on November 22 raise concerns for many Egyptians and for the international community. One of the aspirations of the revolution was to ensure that power would not be overly concentrated in the hands of any one person or institution. The current constitutional vacuum in Egypt can only be resolved by the adoption of a constitution that includes checks and balances, and respects fundamental freedoms, individual rights, and the rule of law consistent with Egypt’s international commitments. We call for calm and encourage all parties to work together and call for all Egyptians to resolve their differences over these important issues peacefully and through democratic dialogue.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton comments on ceasefire in Gaza during her remarks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr in Cairo, Egypt on November 21, 2012. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/11/200960.htm.
Readout of the President’s call with President Morsi
The White House Office of the Press Secretary November 21, 2012
President Obama spoke to President Morsi today. The President thanked President Morsi for his efforts to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and for his personal leadership in negotiating a ceasefire proposal. President Morsi expressed appreciation for President Obama’s efforts in this regard.
President Obama and President Morsi agreed on the importance of working toward a more durable solution to the situation in Gaza.
President Obama reaffirmed the close partnership between the United States and Egypt, and welcomed President Morsi’s commitment to regional security.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Travel to the Middle East
Press Statement Victoria Nuland Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC November 20, 2012
Secretary Clinton will depart today on travel to Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Cairo, leaving from the East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She will meet with regional leaders, starting with our Israeli partners, to consult on the situation in Gaza.
Her visits will build on American engagement with regional leaders over the past days - including intensive engagement by President Obama with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Morsi - to support de-escalation of violence and a durable outcome that ends the rocket attacks on Israeli cities and towns and restores a broader calm. As President Obama noted in his conversations with President Morsi, we commend Egypt’s efforts to de-escalate the situation and are hopeful that these efforts will be successful.
She will emphasize the United States’ interest in a peaceful outcome that protects and enhances Israel’s security and regional stability; that can lead to improved conditions for the civilian residents of Gaza; and that can reopen the path to fulfill the aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis for two states living in peace and security. She will continue to express U.S. concern for the loss of civilian life on both sides.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton meets with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in New York, New York on September 24, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton comments on events in Egypt, Libya, and Yemen, during the opening plenary of the U.S.-Morocco Strategic Dialogue in Washington, D.C., September 13, 2012.
Readout of the President’s Call with Egyptian President Morsi
The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release September 13, 2012
The President called Egyptian President Morsi today to review the strategic partnership between the United States and Egypt, and our ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral economic and security cooperation. Given recent events, and consistent with our interest in a relationship based on mutual interests and mutual respect, President Obama underscored the importance of Egypt following through on its commitment to cooperate with the United States in securing U.S. diplomatic facilities and personnel. The President said that he rejects efforts to denigrate Islam, but underscored that there is never any justification for violence against innocents and acts that endanger American personnel and facilities. President Morsi expressed his condolences for the tragic loss of American life in Libya and emphasized that Egypt would honor its obligation to ensure the safety of American personnel.
State Department Welcomes 2012 TechWomen to San Francisco
Yesterday, the 2012 class of TechWomen arrived in San Francisco to participate in an international exchange that leverages technology as a means to empower women and girls from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories, Tunisia and Yemen. Forty-one female emerging leaders in the technology field from the Middle East and North Africa will be paired with American counterparts for a five-week mentoring program. Click here to learn more.
Launched by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2011, TechWomen builds on her vision of “smart power.” It embraces the full range of diplomatic tools, in this case technology, to bring people together for greater understanding and to empower women and… more »
![Young people participate in a workshop during TechCamp in Morocco, November 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130215022638im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_1209_techcamp_morocco_m.jpg)
![U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton meets with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in New York, New York on September 24, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130215022638im_/http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_maxa5baVnj1qcug8io1_500.jpg)
![Sanae Baatti, a Moroccan mentee, and Taghrid Samak, an American mentor, participate in TechWomen 2012, an international exchange that leverages technology as a means to empower women and girls, in San Francisco, California, September 5, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130215022638im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0906_tech_women_sf_m.jpg)
