United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Monday that throughout the Middle East “the fear of free choices can no longer justify the denial of liberty.”
Rice said it is time to abandon excuses that are made to avoid the hard work of democracy.
Rice was addressing some 700 government officials, academics and other guests at the American University in Cairo.
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Rice is in Egypt as part of a Middle East tour. She is meeting with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit and with President Hosni Mubarak to discuss implementing political reform and promoting democracy in Egypt. Rice is also meeting civil society representatives.
Rice’s visit comes in the run-up to Egypt’s presidential election due in September.
Mubarak initiated a constitutional amendment a few months ago which will enable, for the first time in Egypt’s history, a multi-candidate presidential election. The U.S. praised the initiative but critics say the amendment does not really lay the groundwork for free and democratic elections.
Opposition parties have staged unprecedented demonstrations over the past few months, calling on Mubarak to resign and to incorporate genuine reform.
The U.S. has been publicly urging Egypt to adopt democratic reforms.