Egypt Urges US Not to Meddle In Its Affairs

Egypt urges US not to meddle in its affairs

Washington fears controversial constitutional amendments being rushed through popular referendum.

CAIRO - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Saturday dismissed US criticism of a forthcoming referendum on constitutional changes, ahead of a visit by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

"We take the path towards reform with conviction and without looking back," Mubarak told a gathering in the southern city of Assiut.

"I will not accept pressures or orders or conditions," he said. "I will not be swayed into gambling with the future of this nation and I will be relentless in defending the future of its people."

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed strong concern Friday over controversial constitutional amendments being rushed through a popular referendum by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

"I'm really concerned about it," Rice told reporters shortly before leaving Washington for the southern Egyptian city of Aswan, where she will hold talks with Mubarak.

"This is a really disappointing outcome and we will talk about it and hopefully it will turn out better than is expected," she said of the constitutional reforms due to go to a national referendum on Monday.

Rice said Mubarak, a key US ally, had generated "certain expectations" for improving democracy in his country "and the hope was that it would be a process that gave voice to all Egyptians".

"I think there's some danger that hope is not going to be met," she said in reference to the amendments, which Egypt's opposition says will curb democracy and increase Mubarak's grip on power.

The 34 proposed amendments were passed early this week by the government-dominated parliament and will put to a popular vote Monday, 10 days earlier than originally planned.

The main opposition parties have said they will boycott the vote.

Rice said the "abbreviated timetable is a problem" for the US government, which provides Mubarak's regime with 1.8 billion dollars in aid each year.

Rice said she would raise her concerns with Mubarak and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit when she meets them in Aswan Saturday and Sunday.

"As the Middle East moves towards greater openness and greater pluralism and greater democraticization, Egypt's got to be in the lead. It's disappointing that this has not happened," she said.

Some of the most contested constitutional amendments would allow the authorities to arrest suspects, search their homes, read their mail and tap their phones without a warrant, and allow the trial of civilians by military courts in terrorism cases.

The changes would also repeal judicial supervision of elections.

Since becoming secretary of state in January 2005, Rice has been outspoken on the need for political reforms and greater democracy in Egypt.

But as the administration of President George W. Bush has sought Mubarak's support in dealing with the Iraq war, countering Iran's growing influence and trying to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, it has muted its criticism.

Earlier this week the State Department only mildly responded to the parliament's adoption of the constitutional amendments and Mubarak's move to precipitate the referendum on them.

Egyptian opposition and human rights groups have described the constitutional changes -- which were already approved by parliament -- as a major setback for pluralism and basic freedoms.