GERMANY: NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen urges peaceful transition to democracy in Egypt

Record ID: 1537828

  • Title: GERMANY: NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen urges peaceful transition to democracy in Egypt
  • Date: 5th February 2011
  • Summary: MUNICH, GERMANY (FEBRUARY 4, 2011) (REUTERS) BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER WILLIAM HAGUE LEAVING CONFERENCE NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN WALKING TOWARDS MICROPHONES CAMERA (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN SAYING: "NATO as an organisation does not interfere with the domestic political situation in Egypt. But what I can say is, that I am shocked by the violence we have seen in Egypt and elsewhere in North Africa and the Middle East. I deplore the loss of life, I strongly condemn the attacks on unarmed civilians including journalists and I urge all parties to stop violence and ensure a peaceful transition to democracy." RASMUSSEN GIVING INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN SAYING: "And I have to say that in the long run no society can neglect the will of the people. I also have to say that democracy is much more than just majority-rule, democracy is also respect for minorities and respect for human rights, its rule of law. These are the principles on which our alliance is based." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN SAYING: "I do not consider the revolt in Egypt and elsewhere in North Africa and the Middle East, I do not consider that a threat to the alliance as such or to individual allies." POLICE SECURING RASMUSSEN (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN SAYING: "My warning is against too deep and uncoordinated defence cuts in Europe that risk a leading into a weaker Europe, a divided Europe, a Europe adrift from the United States. And my solution is that we should make more efficient use of resources. My solution is smart defence through strengthened cooperation." RASMUSSEN LEAVING
  • Embargoed: 20th February 2011 00:10
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany, Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA2PUVOEAKYJ7FGB0TPU8ECMMJE
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: The head of NATO urged Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak to 'ensure a peaceful transition to democracy' on Friday (February 4), noting that the military alliance expected its partners to uphold the principles of human rights and the rule of law.
    "NATO as an an organization does not interfere with the domestic situation in Egypt," NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told journalists on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
    At the same time, all parties should 'stop the violence and ensure a peaceful transition to democracy,' he said.
    "Democracy is much more than just majority rule, it is also respect for minorities, human rights and the rule of law. These are the principles on which our alliance is based. These are also the principles we hope will be respected by countries participating in our partnerships," Rasmussen said.
    Egypt is a member of NATO's 'Mediterranean Dialogue,' in which the alliance discusses security issues and supports reforms in Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia.
    While the current anti-government protests in the Arab world do not pose a direct threat to the alliance, NATO is deeply concerned about the evolving security situation, he said.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register