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"Board breakfast meeting with Congressmen
Lantos"
Members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt hosted visiting
Congressman Tom Lantos (D-California) over a working breakfast on
August 17. The breakfast, organized at the request of Congressman
Lantos, provided an opportunity for a frank and constructive dialogue
with AmCham’s bard and leading members of Egypt’s private
sector on a wide range of issues relating to Egyptian American relations,
and ways of strengthening the relationship in light of the circumstances
facing the region.
AmCham members also expressed their appreciation for US economic
aid and recognized its importance to the Egyptian economy. They
also pointed to the assistance as a source of stability in the Egypt-US
relationship.
The proposal put forward by Congressman Lantos and others to convert
US military assistance to Egypt to economic aid was raised during
the course of the discussion. AmCham members expressed clearly their
view to Congressman Lantos that such a proposal would not be in
the interests of Egypt or the United States, and would undermine
the close strategic partnership that both countries have managed
to build over the past 30 years. AmCham recognizes that the military
and security relationship has and will continue to serve as the
pillar of the strategic partnership between both countries. AmCham
members also emphasized the importance of maintaining the strength
of the Egyptian military because Egypt is a strong and stabilizing
force in the region.
Additionally, Egypt’s stability is paramount to the growth
of the private sector and allows it to flourish and play its part
in economic development.
AmCham welcomed the opportunity to relate these views to Congressman
Lantos, and looks forward to further pursuing and enhancing such
dialogue in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect that have
characterized Egypt-US relations over the years.
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