U.S continues contact with Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated in 2005 that the United States should not “engage” with the Muslim Brotherhood. However, contact has now resumed, The Washington Times reported this week.

According to the article: “U.S. Embassy officials said they are acting in conformity with a worldwide policy of dealing with political parties that are represented in their national parliaments. Muslim Brotherhood members can only run for Egypt’s parliament as independents, and U.S. officials say they have met them only in that capacity.”

“Our rare contacts with the nominally independent members of parliament have occurred only in the full light of day, with many other Egyptians present, including members from the ruling National Democratic Party,” said Francis J. Ricciardone, the U.S. ambassador to Egypt.

Asked whether the dealings were approved by Rice, who ruled out such contacts in June 2005, Ricciardone said: “Of course, we report fully to Washington on these contacts.”

According to an Egyptian official, even though the Muslim Brotherhood is illegal, foreign diplomats may meet with parliamentarians, regardless of their affiliation.

The Muslim Brotherhood is not on the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations. That list includes Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah — both represented in their respective parliaments.

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