The Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby provided the following readout regarding a telephone call betwen Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and his counterpart in Egypt General Al-Sisi – who helped oust Morsi and the terrorist organization Muslim Brotherhood from power last year:
“Secretary Hagel and Egyptian Minister of Defense General Al-Sisi spoke today regarding the Jan.14-15 constitutional referendum in Egypt. They discussed the importance of the constitutional referendum for Egypt’s overall political transition, and Secretary Hagel stressed the importance of a transparent referendum in which all Egyptians have the opportunity to cast their vote freely.
The secretary also urged the minister to ensure that international and domestic observers have full access.
Secretary Hagel and Gen. Al-Sisi reaffirmed their commitment to strong U.S.-Egyptian relations, and the secretary wished General Al-Sisi a blessed Mawlid al-Nabi” (source: http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=16478).
During the telephone call Secretary Hagel reaffirmed a strong US-Egyptian relationship, despite Egypt’s abysmal human rights record (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Egypt).
Background Al-Sisi:
General Al-Sisi is an Egyptian General who has been Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces, as well as Minister of Defence, since 12 August 2012. As head of the armed forces, he played the leading role in ousting Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, following mass protests against Morsi and his government, including the Muslim Brotherhood – a recognized terrorist entity in league with al-Qaeda.
General Sisi was subsequently appointed as First Deputy Prime Minister, while remaining Minister of Defense.
See related article: Egyptian army uses clubs and tasers on demonstrators then apologizes http://tundratabloids.com/2011/02/egyptian-army-uses-clubs-and-tasers-on-demonstrators-then-apologizes.html.
See article: Egyptian military drag then beats unarmed woman during protest http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/dec/18/egypt-military-beating-female-protester-tahrir-square
See related article: Police brutality in Egypt http://www.ryot.org/video-of-police-abuse-stokes-anger-in-egypt/66658