Cables Show Complex Bond Between US, Egypt

Public relations have improved under Obama
Posted Jan 28, 2011 6:35 AM CST
New WIkiLeaks Cables Reveal Complexity of US-Egyptian Relationship
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak speaks on the Middle East peace negotiations in the East Room of the White House in Washington as President Barack Obama listens, Sept. 1, 2010.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Newly released WikiLeaks cables illustrate the complex relationship between Washington and longtime ally President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, the New York Times reports. The diplomatic cables reveal that the US has privately pressured Egypt on imprisoned dissidents and other issues, though the two governments’ public relationship has improved under President Obama.

The cables detail the first year of Obama’s presidency and show the two countries working together, with Mubarak a key supporter of the US against Iran; a mediator between Israel and Palestine; and a backer of Iraq’s new government. But they also detail US concerns: one from the American ambassador to Egypt points to “heavy-handed tactics against individuals and groups” during 2008’s bread riots, MSNBC notes.
(More Egypt stories.)

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