Interviews with Ahmed Samih

The role of United States was always important. And everybody– calculation about the political picture in my country. It was important from Mubarak regime, from the Egyptian military, from the opposition, from the Muslim brotherhoods, from average Egyptians. It´s important true, because you know that United States is playing an important role. We know that the United States is giving our government $2 billion a year to support this regime.

We know that United States have a specific– direct interest in– the Palestine and Israeli´s conflict. We know that United States have freedom agenda. And the welcome democracy countries more than non-democratic countries. So it was not– not surprise for the average Egyptians that George W. Bush talk in his speeches about Egypt and about Cairo and about human rights violation there.

It was not surprise for us that Condoleezza Rice came to Cairo and speak inside the American University very close to the Tahrir Square. It was not a big surprise to been invited to President Obama´s speech inside Cairo University, which is a very known organization to all Egyptians. That´s a very important indirect messages that– the American people, American leaders, is really, really interested of what´s going on in Egypt. From 25th of January till the 2nd or 3rd of February the government of United States brought a lot of consideration to the long relation with Mubarak regime. Make a lot– made a lot of political calculations for the situation.

They didn´t want to support a revolution. They didn´t know who made it exactly. They didn´t want to appear as they are– pro the revolution. As they are against Mubarak. As they are not supporting him anymore–and that was a very–we on Tahrir Square. You are waiting for such a support. It didn´t come. It didn´t deliver in the right time. It deliver a little bit late. And that´s somehow disappointed.

But I remember in Tahrir Square, a group of American activist– I don´t know them. I don´t know names. But I know that they are Americans. They came to Tahrir Square. (LAUGH) I will never forget this moment. They came to Tahrir Square wearing– tee shirts says that they are peace group. American peace group. And they are supporting the revolution. They came with tons of flowers.

And in the same moment out the square, the TV of the previous regime was saying that this revolution is supported by international forces. This people who I don´t know who are they till now, I hope they see me– risked their lives, just to deliver us flowers. And show that there is American citizen, average American citizen– supporting what we´ve been doing. They came, deliver the flowers (BRUSHES HANDS) and leave. I will never forget this. Believe me.

Ahmed has extensive experience as an organizer and trainer in international programs for human rights education. He has served as a media adviser and director of media observation in a national campaign for monitoring elections in Egypt sponsored by USAID. He has also been a trainer for projects sponsored by the Norwegian Human Rights Fund, such as Supporting NGOs and Right to Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion and Combating Propaganda for War. He is the founder of various organizations: Liberal Youth Seminar sponsored by New Civic Forum, Knowledge Club, and Free Youth Association sponsored by Al JEEL Center for Youth and Social Studies. Currently, Ahmed is the Director of the Andalus Institute for Tolerance and Anti-Violence Studies and the director of EGYPT 1st online internet radio.