Egyptian Reformers Boycott Obama’s Speech

More on the disappointing lack of emphasis Obama places on human rights and democratic reform. Mike Crowley reports from Cairo that Ayman Nour, the Egyptian dissident, has turned down an invitation to attend Obama’s speech tomorrow:

The president’s reticence to push Mubarak about democracy, Nour says, has been “a huge disappointment, not only from Egypt’s perspective but for reformers all over the world. It’s not in line with what he promised during the campaign, or with his inaugural speech on January 20.” In particular, Nour called the recent 60 percent reduction of U.S. aid for democracy promotion in Egypt a “grave” move, and said that a new approach of channeling that aid through the government, rather than sending it directly to NGO-style groups. would be “as if it didn’t come” once pocket-lining officials are done with it. The result will be continued state of repression that allows terrorism and extremism to flourish, he warns.