Merkel says Egypt has deficiencies, appeals for reforms

Jan 28, 2011, 12:05 GMT

Berlin - Chancellor Angela Merkel appealed Friday for reforms in Egypt, saying through a spokesman, Christoph Steegmans, that Egypt suffered from 'a range of deficiencies.'

Separately, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle appealed to Cairo to stop using force against demonstrators.

'Those who try to violently suppress the desire for freedom will harvest extremism,' Westerwelle said in Berlin. 'Germany is on the side of democracy, human rights and civil rights,' he said, calling on Cairo to respect the right to demonstrate.

Asked by a reporter if Berlin hoped Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohammed el-Baradei would take over, he said, 'I am not going to speculate about domestic Egyptian politics.'

At a government news conference, Merkel spokesman Steegmans was very cautious, saying only that areas where reform was needed in Egypt included economic policy and in policies against poverty.

The German government commissioner for human rights and humanitarian aid, Markus Loening, criticized the police crackdown on demonstrators and demanded the release of jailed protesters.

'It's a slap in the face for all those who advocate human rights and civil rights in Egypt,' Loening said in a written statement.

'The banning of websites is intolerable. I appeal to the Egyptian leadership to immediately restore access to the blocked sites, to immediately release all the jailed demonstrators and to begin a political dialogue,' said Loening, whose office is attached to the Foreign Ministry.

Sources meanwhile said Merkel's government is hoping for more democracy in Egypt but is concerned that Egypt should remain supportive of Mideast peace efforts.

The sources spoke in advance of Monday's visit by Chancellor Angela Merkel and key ministers to Jerusalem for talks with the Israeli cabinet. Germany is a strong backer of Israeli interests.

The option which Germany is betting on will be change that makes Egypt more democratic and opens up its economy, a source said.

Berlin credits Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak with being an important moderating influence in the Mideast peace process. Both Israel and Germany had an interest in a continuation of such moderation, without radical tendencies getting 'out of hand'.

This week's demonstrations are likely to be discussed when the cabinets meet.

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