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Global Research Editor’s Note
Below is the latest communique from the Spirit of Rachel Corrie, stranded in Egyptian territorial waters since May 16th.
Washington and Tel Aviv have instructed the Cairo military government to maintain the blockade and prevent the humanitarian cargo of the Spirit of Rachel Corrie to proceed through the Rafah land crossing.
Egypt has not allowed the Spirit of Rachel Corrie to berth and unload its cargo in the Port of Al-Arish. The Spirit of Rachel Corrie has become a “floating Prison”
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Nabil Al Arabi had made a firm commitment in this regard.
Who is calling the shots in Cairo? Israel and Egypt collaborate in policing the Gaza border in the context of a bilateral agreement. According to confirmed sources, Military Intelligence, no doubt in consultation with Tel Aviv and Washington, has prevented the implementation of the decision by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Military Intelligence is attached to the Ministry of Defense headed by Mohamed Hussein Tantawi Soliman who is the commander-in-chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces and de facto head of State.
In turn, Hussein Tantawi is a permanent liaison with his counterpart in Tel Aviv, Ehud Barak, as well as with Defense Secretary Robert Gates in Washington.
The Spirit of Rachel Corrie is the Test case.
SUPPORT THE SPIRIT OF RACHEL CORRIE AS A MEANS TO BREAKING THE BLOCKADE.
IF THE CARGO IS TRANSPORTED BY LAND THROUGH RAFAH, AN IMPORTANT STEP IN BREAKING THE BLOCKADE WILL HAVE BEEN REACHED.
Michel Chossudovsky, May 30, 2011
3:00pm Egyptian Time, 30th May 2011
The humanitarian aid ship MV Finch also known as the Spirit of Rachel Corrie has since 17th May 2011 been turned into a prison ship for all intents and purposes.
What reason can there be when both Egyptian and Malaysian Governments have publicly agreed that the ship can berth and discharge the much needed cargo of PVC pipes for Gaza’s sewerage system?
Yet, the ship and the crew are not allowed to berth and disembark.
They are detained without just excuse and are now entering the third week of detention.
This is totally unacceptable and the Egyptian Government’s actions should be criticised in no uncertain terms.
MATTHIAS CHANG,
MISSION LEADER,
THE SPIRIT OF RACHEL CORRIE,
30TH MAY 2011
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