As a political crisis intensifies locally, international anger over human rights violations added to the woes of the ruling military, Amirah Ibrahim reports Protests were continuing for the second week demanding that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) hand over power earlier than the deadline it set for itself at the end of June. SCAF's schedule could, many people say, enable the military to shape the constitution by overseeing its drafting. SCAF has been ruling the country since the ousting of Hosni Mubarak as president almost a year ago. To mark the first anniversary of the 25 January Revolution, political movements called for mass protests throughout the country demanding that military troops return to their barracks. Again, Tahrir Square and many other similar venues in Alexandria, Suez and Delta governorates witnessed hundreds of thousands gathering under one theme and chant, "Down with military rule". Not even the sight of the new freely-elected parliament holding its first session succeeded in containing the anger of protesters. As opposed to other times in which protesters seemed in disarray, the demonstrators this week appeared to have better thought out matters, suggesting a number of scenarios for an early exit of the military rulers. A number of new parliamentary members as well as the old liberal side of the Wafd Party presented official requests to SCAF head Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi to hand over power, inviting the public to elect in a referendum a temporary president. "The new constitution should not be written under the supervision of the military council. This violates the rights of the people and threatens to grant more privileges to SCAF leaders," parliament member and head of the Bar Association Sameh Ashour said. Ashour and other members suggested electing a president for a limited duration of one year. The suggestion was made as parliament turned down demands by protesters last week that SCAF cede power to the parliamentary speaker. SCAF responded by leaking news of plans to shorten the transitional period by speeding up presidential elections. According to Mohamed El-Kholi, spokesman of the advisory council assisting the military, SCAF requested the council study the possibility of shortening the transitional period. "This certainly should have been understood in light of the current demands that military leaders should quit ruling the country," El-Kholi said. The ruling generals have been using the panel of advisers, which they created two months ago, to put a civilian face to their rule and to balance the growing criticism over what many believe is an attempt by SCAF to seize absolute power. On Monday, however, SCAF said it had completed a new presidential law which stipulates criteria under which the forthcoming elections of the new president should take place. The announcement stunned public opinion which believed the new parliament was to ratify the law before passing it. To the surprise and dismay of many, the SCAF decree was officially issued and published in the government's official daily newspaper two weeks ago. The drafting of the law was not previously made public, making political movements and parties, except for the Muslim Brotherhood, doubt SCAF's intentions, particularly since the new law was passed just four days before parliament held its first session. "It was issued on 19 January, when legislation was under the authority of SCAF," SCAF member General Mamdouh Shahine, responsible for handling legislative issues over the past year, said. "SCAF handed over legislative authority to parliament on 23 January, its first session. There is nothing incorrect," Shahine added. Shahine did not say what was the urgency in drafting the law just days before parliament took over. Again on Tuesday, SCAF and the advisory panel poured cold water over attempts to force it to speed up presidential elections. But in response to the harsh criticism SCAF has come under, Tantawi assigned a new manager for the Armed Forces information body, while sending the man previously responsible, General Ismail Etman, into retirement. The step was taken in an attempt to better deal with the media and give the military council a badly needed makeover. Etman kept his post as a SCAF member. But SCAF's problems jumped from the local theatre to the international stage where the military council was forced to fight another battle over its human rights record. After weeks of unrest and clashes between army soldiers and civilian protesters, which noticeably damaged SCAF's image, security forces, backed by army troops, last month raided the offices of several US-funded organisations, including the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute and Freedom House. Last week, relations with the US hit a new low when the Egyptian government barred a number of staffers working in the American democracy-building groups from leaving the country, dragging a confrontation with US officials who responded by threatening to withhold military aid to Egypt. Early this week US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta requested an immediate removal of the travel ban on the US citizens who include Sam LaHood, director of the International Republican Institute in Egypt and son of US Transportation Secretary Roy LaHood. On Sunday, an Egyptian military delegation visited the US to address Cairo's fraying relations with Washington. "A routine visit to enhance cooperation between the military of both countries" was the official line given by SCAF. Behind the scene, however, as well as in statements made by US officials, the visit aimed to restore the strained relationship between the long-time allies. As the Egyptian military delegation arrived in Washington, the US Embassy in Cairo took the highly unusual step of giving shelter to six of its citizens who were barred from leaving Egypt. Cairo has so far not responded to the latest move which marked a dramatic worsening in its ties with Washington. As for the military visit no statement was made to clarify whether SCAF would remove the travel ban, plus the question of future US military assistance to Egypt. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said American officials were pressing Egyptian authorities over the crackdown. "The Egyptian government asserts they [detained US citizens] are subject to a judicial process which is not complete," Nuland said. "Our message back is, 'Complete these formalities and let our people travel as soon as possible.'" Last month a number of senators warned that US aid was at stake if action against the NGOs continues. "Continued restriction of their activities and harassment of international and Egyptian staff will be looked at with great concern, particularly in light of Egypt's considerable US assistance," 11 senators said in a letter to Tantawi dated 18 January. The US Defense Department has a long-standing relationship with Egypt which receives $1.3 billion a year in US military aid as part of the 1979 peace accord with Israel.
