Egypt and Russia: friendship against america?
Turning away from America that had turned away, Egypt turned to Russia. The other day a new geopolitical turn was confirmed by both presidential candidates of the Arab Republic of Egypt - comrades Sabahi and al-Sisi. Moscow also didn’t click through with its beak: back in February, Cairo offered to buy fighters, air defense systems and something else for several billion dollars.In mid-April, members of the London-based Center for Policy Studies and the Global Security Council flew to Cairo, where consulted with the main presidential candidate - Field Marshal Abdul-Fattah Al-Sisi. The delegation also met with the head of intelligence of Egypt, the commander-in-chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, businessmen, clergymen and members of the public.
The delegation was very concerned about the suspension of US military aid to Egypt. Moreover, Sergei Shoigu and Sergey Lavrov have previously been to Egypt. (Moscow offered Cairo to purchase fighter jets, air defense systems and other weapons - worth about 4 billions of dollars.)
Moreover, comrade al-Sisi openly stated that he did not trust the United States.
One of the members of the delegation, retired Major General Paul Valleli, made a disappointing conclusion for Washington: “Not a single government in the Middle East believes the US administration. Russia is hitting us everywhere. ”
According to the retired general, “Putin knows about America’s weakness,” and therefore “will fill the vacuums left by the United States.”
19 may on RIA News" an exclusive interview appeared, taken from the candidate for the presidency of Egypt, the socialist Hamdin Sabah.
In the event of a victory in the elections, this person intends to return relations with Russia to the level of the era of “great friendship”. He says: “Remembering the Aswan Dam, we must certainly welcome the role played by the Soviet Union in supporting Egypt in its independent development, in the construction of hydropower plants. Relations that have been formed between specialists from the USSR and our country, as well as residents of upper Egypt, are quite strong. This is a very important moment in stories of our country and its economic development achieved in that period. We are grateful and grateful for all this. We want our foreign policy to return to Egypt its active role on the world stage, protecting its interests, as well as contributing to the creation of a more equitable system of international relations. In order to realize this, it is necessary to diversify our foreign policy. For several decades, Egypt was under the hegemony of the Americans. At present, we are moving towards determining our own foreign policy ourselves and building equal relations with everyone: with the United States, with Russia, China, India, South Africa and the countries of Latin America. The latter, by the way, being in conditions similar to us, have shown a model of economic development and democracy, which we intend to use. In this context, we will strive for such relations with Russia, which in all senses will return our relations to the level of the Aswan dam construction era. Then Russia will be able to realize its interests that are beneficial to both parties. ”
According to the presidential candidate, Egypt needs "strategic relations with Russia" and is not just necessary, but "extremely important."
In addition, Sabahi answered the question about the Crimea and said that the Crimeans "have said their word, and this word must be respected."
In the meantime, Russia's cooperation with Egypt is growing by leaps and bounds.
According to the Novorossiysk branch of the FGBU Grain Quality Assessment Center, the largest importer of Russian wheat in the first quarter of 2014 was Egypt (35,5% of the total volume of exported wheat). For comparison: Egypt is descending after Egypt: Yemen (8,2%), Libya (6,0%), Morocco (5,4%), etc.
During the same period last year, the largest wheat importers were Kenya (46,5% of the total exported wheat), Turkey (22,0%) and Greece (16,3%).
As for arms purchases, it’s too early to talk about them.
In February, the media talked about a deal in the amount of something in 2, or in 3 billion dollars, and not even more. It was assumed that ARE would buy from the Russian Federation MiG-29 fighters, air defense systems, Mi-35 helicopters, anti-ship coastal complexes, ammunition, light weapons. Egypt has no money, so Saudi Arabia and the UAE volunteered to sponsors. The first payments must pass before July 2014. It is clear that all parties are waiting for the election results.
In any case, the geopolitical result of the intensification of the Kremlin’s relations with Cairo was not slow.
22 April US government took off part of the restrictions on the supply of arms in Egypt, imposed after the overthrow of Mursi.
The United States confirmed the delivery of ten AH-64 Apache helicopters to Egypt. “We believe that these helicopters will help the Egyptian government in the fight against extremists who threaten security in the region,” commented Pentagon press secretary John Kirby.
No matter how many officials of different levels say about the “fight against extremists,” one thing is clear: the Americans were afraid that they would lose the market. And not just lose it, but give it to the Russians, who may well use their Soviet experience of strategic friendship with Cairo. As a result, Moscow will have a plus, Cairo will have a plus, and Washington will have a minus.
One gets the impression that Obama, who once rejoiced in the “democratic” election of Mursi, once again played up for the Kremlin ...
Observed and commented on Oleg Chuvakin
- especially for topwar.ru
- especially for topwar.ru
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