- US
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addresses the US Embassy staff at
the embassy in Cairo on July 15, 2012. Clinton is visiting Egypt to meet
with the nation's newly elected president and other government and
civil leaders to speak about the relationship between the United States
and the new democracy. AFP PHOTO/POOL/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit
should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)
Remarks at Meeting With Embassy Staff and Families
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
U.S. Embassy
Cairo, Egypt
July 15, 2012
SECRETARY CLINTON:
Thank you very much, and thank you also for your patience. I’ve had an
excellent series of meetings today and have had the opportunity to
listen to and interact with a number of Egyptians that has given me new
insight and a very clear sense of the great dedication that Egyptians
have toward the success of this transition to a true democracy.
I
want to thank Ambassador Patterson and to DCM Marc Sievers for the
leadership they’ve brought to the mission at this time which is so
historic. I also want to thank all of you for everything you’re doing
every single day. You’re on the front lines of the democratic transition
here. And I know it’s not been easy, especially for our local Egyptian
staff. Even getting to and from work has been a challenge at times. But I
want to thank our Egyptian and our American team here. You’ve responded
just extraordinarily with real commitment and fortitude. And I’m
delighted that I can thank you in person. The last time I was here,
there was still a sense of excitement and energy coming from all that
had happened so close by in Tahrir Square. Now, obviously, we are into
the hard work, the hard, hard work of trying to be a good partner as the
people of Egypt make their transition.
I especially want to thank
you because last November and December into January, even though there
were large demonstrations and sometimes even riots, you kept on going.
Even when the air was thick with tear gas and Molotov cocktails
(inaudible), you pulled together to help salvage historic books that had
been burned and damaged. You donated blood to help people who’d been
injured. When a mob attacked the Israeli Embassy, you stayed up all
night coordinating responses and helping to resolve that very
unfortunate situation. When the Egyptian judiciary took up a case
against American NGOs, you made certain that our citizens were safe. You
never stopped supporting and advocating for our Egyptian colleagues who
were on trial and for all Egyptians working to build democracy.
Whenever an American citizen got into trouble for taking part in
demonstrations, you were there to protect their rights, to secure their
release. I understand some of you even served Thanksgiving dinner to
three young Americans who were jailed over that holiday.
So I know
that it’s been a challenging year for all of you, but I particularly
want to thank all the drivers, the local security guards, the diplomatic
security staff, the Marine security guards, who protected this Embassy
and all of you during the turmoil of the year. I want to thank the
telephone operators who kept us all connected and tracked us down at any
hour of day or night.
And I want to thank you for helping to
monitor and report on seven rounds of voting. For the first time in
Egypt’s long, legendary history, they have chosen their own leadership.
But elections are just the beginning. It’s not the end of anything. Now a
government must be formed, and a government that will respect the
rights of all Egyptians – men and women, Muslim and Christian, wherever
they live in the country.
I met with President Morsi yesterday and
told him the United States stands ready to support the Egyptian people,
that we are working toward an inclusive government, that we respect the
right of Egyptians to build their country, but we believe strongly that
universal rights must be protected. All people deserve dignity. All
people deserve their freedom.
So I’m hoping that you will continue
your efforts that are incredibly important, and to show the support and
friendship of the American people to the Egyptian people. And I know
that for many of you, you will be telling your grandchildren about this
past 15 months, about what is likely to be a better future for Egypt.
So
thank you for everything you are doing and that you will do, and I
cannot wait to see how this incredibly important story unfolds. Thank
you all very much. (Applause.)
- US
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addresses the US Embassy staff at
the embassy in Cairo on July 15, 2012. Clinton is visiting Egypt to meet
with the nation's newly elected president and other government and
civil leaders to speak about the relationship between the United States
and the new democracy. AFP PHOTO/POOL/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit
should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)
- US
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addresses the US Embassy staff at
the embassy in Cairo on July 15, 2012. Clinton is visiting Egypt to meet
with the nation's newly elected president and other government and
civil leaders to speak about the relationship between the United States
and the new democracy. AFP PHOTO/POOL/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit
should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)
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