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U.S. confirms Cairo meetings include ElBaradei
Tejinder Singh – AHN News Correspondent


February 1, 2011


Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The United States on Tuesday decided to come out in the open with support for the ongoing pro-democracy demonstrations in Egypt.

The spokesman for the Department of State in a tweet message disclosed that the American diplomats in Cairo are in touch with Mohammed ElBaradei, the de facto leader of the demonstrators.

"As part of our public outreach to convey support for orderly transition in Egypt, Ambassador [Margaret] Scobey spoke today with Mohammed ElBaradei," said a tweet from P.J. Crowley.

An earlier tweet had hinted at the American support saying, "The U.S. Embassy in Cairo has been especially busy in the past several days with an active outreach to political and civil society reps,"

Crowley had earlier confirmed that Washington had asked a top retired American diplomats to travel to Cairo to get an assessment of the ongoing Egyptian situation on the ground.

"Frank Wisner is in Cairo," Crowley said in an email response to a question raised at the daily State Department briefing. He confirmed that "The U.S. government asked him to go. As someone with deep experience in the region, he is meeting with Egyptian officials and providing his assessment."

Wisner’s diplomatic career spans four decades and eight American presidents.

He served as ambassador to Zambia, Egypt, the Philippines, and India during his extensive career in the State Department.

Wisner also has served as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and as Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs.


:: Article nr. 74506 sent on 01-feb-2011 18:48 ECT