Violent attacks on women protesters makes Clinton dial Egypt

Washington: Concerned over the continued violence and abuse of women demonstrators in Egypt, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal el-Ganzouri to register deep US unease about the situation, particularly the attacks on women. The call came after Clinton earlier this week called the treatment of women a “disgrace” that dishonored Egyptian revolution this year that ended decades of repressive rule. “The Secretary had a very good call with the new Egyptian Prime Minister, Ganzouri, last afternoon… and it was a very productive call, all focused in the right direction…,” State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters. [caption id=“attachment_162946” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Hillary Clinton had been greatly concerned about the horrible images of violence to women protestors. Nicholas Kamm/AFP”]  [/caption] She said Clinton had been greatly concerned, and particularly concerned about the horrible images. “She, obviously, said she had been greatly concerned, and particularly alarmed about the horrible images. And he was very clear that the Egyptian authorities want to see their security forces operate within the rule of law,” Nuland said. Clinton also congratulated him on his appointment and the two leaders had a very good conversation about the path that Egypt is on, and the transition under way, she said. “She, of course, reiterated our points about wanting to see a genuine inclusive democratic process, free elections, emphasising the historic importance of the election process under way. They also talked about the security situation in Egypt, and she reiterated some of the points that we’ve made,” Nuland said. “He (Ganzouri) reiterated the government’s points that it wants to see the protests be peaceful, and that it is working with its security forces. They also talked about how the United States can continue to support the economic development of the country going forward,” she said. “We are obviously going to speak out, as we have all along, whether it’s in Egypt or Tunisia or anywhere else around the world, in support of our values and our interests. And obviously, when you see the kind of horrific pictures that we saw coming out of Egypt a few days ago, the Secretary was not going to be quiet on this issue,” Nuland said. PTI