Business

White House Officials Met With Muslim Brotherhood to Promote Small Business

In an effort to promote collaboration between small and medium-sized businesses in the United States with businesses overseas, the State Department has reached out to Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, according to an online briefing for foreign reporters last week.

Undersecretary of State Robert Hormats says he has spoken with members of the Muslim Brotherhood about “promoting smaller enterprises,” according to CNS’ Terence P. Jeffrey, and that he will be speaking with other Middle East and North African leaders on the same topic this week.

“America’s a big economy with a number of big companies. We also have a lot of small and medium-sized companies. And we know in many parts of the world, there is an effort to support small and medium-sized enterprise,” Hormats said.

He continued:

Just one example: I’ve been spending a lot of time in the Middle East and North Africa in support of the kind of reforms that are now going on in that region.

And one of the things that I have picked up by people throughout the region is their emphasis on support for small and medium-sized enterprises. American companies would like to buy from and collaborate with small and medium-sized enterprises in North Africa, the Middle East. I’ve had conversations in Egypt, with business people members of the Muslim Brotherhood; the same is true in Tunisia, and other parts of the world.

So this is not an ideological issue. This is not a political issue.

This is a practical issue of collaboration between the United States and companies around the world and governments around the world, all of whom want to create jobs, want to work together, and to improve the living standards of their citizens. American business is very supportive of this.

The State Department is very supportive of American business and of cooperation between American business and businesses in other countries who want to create jobs, who want to innovate, and want to strengthen their global ties in a mutually constructive way.

A reporter from Al Sharq al-Awsat (an Arabic-language newspaper) asked Hormats: “Post the Arab Spring, changing nations are struggling. What is the support that is taking place there?”

The Undersecretary of State responded by saying the Obama administration is interested in working with the Arab Spring countries “by helping them to deal with opportunities for strengthening small and medium sized enterprises,” CNS reports.

“The United States is strongly committed to supporting the economic and the political reforms that are going on in the region. Each country is in a somewhat different position. They’re not all the same. They don’t have the same approaches to change,” Hormats responded.

He continued:

But they do have many things in common: the emphasis on dignity, the emphasis on job creation, the emphasis on strengthening opportunity for their people to participate in the political process and participate to a far greater degree in the economic benefits of growth and giving them more opportunities.
[...]
Secretary Clinton regards this as a very high priority. And of course, President Obama regards this as very important. So we intend to support countries of the region by helping them deal with their financial situations, by helping them to deal with opportunities for strengthening small and medium sized enterprises.

I mentioned representatives from the Muslim Brotherhood with whom I’ve had an opportunity to meet, have emphasized that point very substantially.

This is not the first time Hormats has reached out to the Muslim Brotherhood: you may recall back in January when the Undersecretary and the Deputy Secretary of State William Burns were part of a U.S. delegation that met with Brotherhood leaders.

In that first meeting, Hormats described Brotherhood leaders as being “very pragmatic.”

“They understand; they’re the majority party now in the parliament. They are going to be the primary political party in Egypt. They need to deliver results,” Hormats said, according to Reuters.

“And their focus primarily is on small- and medium-enterprise” as generators of job creation, he added.

The story has been updated.

Comments (72)

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  • SandyfromChesterfield
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 11:59pm

    How much do the taxpayers have to pay for this?

    Report Post »  
    • EP46
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 6:18am

      only as much as we can borrow from China

      Report Post »  
    • poorrichard09
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 8:00am

      Small enterprises like sleeper cells??

      Report Post »  
    • Bill Rowland
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 8:23am

      Small para-military groups to enforce Sharia Law?
      That is the policy of the Muslim Brotherhood. No Christian churches, death to those who refuse to convert to Islam. They’ll have Hilrod wearing a Burka when she deals with them. Sweet Old Barack and Hilrod are out of their minds if they sincerely believe we can negotiate with the Brotherhood.
      You only have to look at the stated goals of the Muslim Bortherhood and study what they have tried to accomplish since their inception to know that their goal is to spread Islam throughout the world and force Sharia Law on everyone.
      Wake up people Sweet Old Barack is either delusional or a Muslim. Either way he needs to get another job come November!!!

      OMG 2012

      Report Post »  
  • pwatkins
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 11:32pm

    After they accomplish small businesses, they will branch out into some much needed fertilizer plants….dreams of Obama and friends.

    Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:34am

      It is a scam. The Brotherhood take donations from the poor. They actually help the poor … some.

      But what is their take?

      We are just help setting up a new oligarchy is all. It will take a generation or so for the fleeced victims to see the old boss is the same or worse than the old boss.

      The White House starry eyed dreamy types are actually falling for this sh_t?

      Report Post »  
  • cosmic dogma
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 11:29pm

    Unbelievable. Our tax dollars in action. How many hours did you work today to pay for this really necessary bit of porcine excrement?

    Report Post »  
  • cmark
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 11:22pm

    Great! Now we can have businesses like: Home Despot. Jihad in the Box.

    Report Post » cmark  
    • 1casawizard
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:55am

      @SANDYFROMCHESTERFIELD.,FROMMIKEOFCARTERSVILLE. Should the Q of how much be turned into WTF? into why should your $s pay for things you have no control

      Report Post » 1casawizard  
  • JimmyP
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 10:44pm

    THIS CHANGES EVERYTHONG!

    Barry Hussian O-bla-de-O-bla-duh-ma finally supports small business! Hurrah!

    Can’t wait til the UAW. AFL-CIO, IBEW, AFTRA/SAG, AFT/NEA, AGC, ACE, LS/MFT etc. start getting their cut of the graft, er I mean creating a muslim meddle-class.

    Paid time off to attend suicide boomers funerals, 20% of all profits going to each shop steward to care for widows and orphans, free prayer-rugs, paid time of daily for prayer rituals – the possibilities are endless…

    Of curse, there will be a Muslim-Modified Environmental Protection Agency – the MM-EPA – that will make sure that all suicide vests will be made out of Nomex, plant workers in IED factories are MM-OSHA protected and that the blood from the slit goat throats is properly desposed by USA certified MM-Toxicly wasted haz-mat teams.

    Team Obama – Dedicated to growing business – elsewhere.

    OK, John Stewart – run with this one…..

    PS at least the Obie-admin had the decency to toss NASA chief Chas. Bowden under the bus after he revealed BHO’s charging him with the responsibility of “making moo-slims” feel goo-goo googly good about their contributions to science”.

    WOW – THIS CHANGES E V E R Y T H I N G!!!

    Report Post » JimmyP  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on April 23, 2012 at 11:05pm

      @JimmyP
      I liked your post and congratulations on your one year anniversary of signing up to post at The Blaze.
      Happy Birthday!

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • Marci
      Posted on April 23, 2012 at 11:21pm

      Interesting that when the Obama administration works directly with terrorist groups, not a peep from the left. Maybe the feminists will start to wake up a bit when the burkha gains a foothold here…

      Report Post » Marci  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on April 23, 2012 at 11:59pm

      @Marci
      See my post below…. “I guess I might find a job now…”

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • Inlightofthings
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 10:43pm

    One question….How many women were part of the Muslim Brotherhood contingent providing credence to the “emphasis on dignity”….

    Report Post »  
    • JimCDew
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:46am

      NOT- NOW = National Organization of Terrorists – New Ostracism of Women

      Report Post »  
  • MLeo
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 10:19pm

    The SBA logo is going to need a makeover, too. See what was submitted to M. Malkin for NASA’s: http://michellemalkin.com/2010/07/07/nasa-logo-makeovers-new-arabic-sensitivity-administration/

    Then again, with the Muslim Sisterhood, NOW will need a makeover. Ideas?

    Report Post »  
  • 321481
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 10:08pm

    When my father retired he tried to start a business, he said by the time he paid to comply with local government regulations, paid extra taxes and tried to compete with cheap chinese junk he wasn’t even making minimum wage and shut the business down, that was in Florida, I can not even imagine what it would be like in other states with higher taxes and more regulations. Now Obama wants to help the muslim bro-hood with our tax money and play lovey with the Russians, whatever happened to charity starts at home, oh that’s right we are the ugly Americans, even Obama thinks so, just tax the cr@p out of us and increase the food stamp rolls. That’s hope & change for ya.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:57pm

    Never knew terrorism was a small business, of course that would explain the massive influx of M Brotherhood advisors to Obama and friends just before the nation erupts in flames and destruction.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • lovenfl3
      Posted on April 23, 2012 at 10:11pm

      I remember the loons at MSNBC mocking Glenn for suggesting that the administration was getting friendly with the Muslim Brotherhood. Funny how there’s not a peep from these same people now. Today they are justifying what they said was “crazy” just months ago. How pathetic!
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJC5Zw-ggrc

      Report Post » lovenfl3  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:32am

      @Loven – pathetic does not begin to describe it; I think more than a few are beginning to hear the death knell most of us have heard coming. What remains unknown to me at this time is how many of them understand what it means, and how many of them will be put to the sword by Obama and his cronies when they are no longer needed.

      I recall a scene on a TV program “Babylon 5” set far into the future; at one point when the final takeover of the earth government occured, a reporter was stating “there is nothing wrong…” when her boss came on the air (part of the plot) saying “you have been lied to for so long, the truth is…’ just as the goverment storm troops terminated the show and him.

      I wonder how many will call for assistance then be followed by silence until the last ‘click’ of the microphones occures.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:37pm

    That’s nice …. I’ve been a small business owner all my life, BY FAR MY BIGGEST ENEMY IS …. City, county , state and federal government …. Every time we turn around , there’s a government agency with its worthless hand,,,,,,OUT!!!! For the Solyndras and the 400 pound food stamp gorillas… Not to mention the freakin illegals…………….and this criminal federal gang wants to help the MUSILME BROTHERHOOOD ? IM DONE ,!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on April 23, 2012 at 10:53pm

      @Detroit paperboy
      Hang in there Detroit; a few special Monk prayers are going out to you…

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • spfoam1
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:36pm

    The Muslim brotherhood has only one goal, and that is to exterminate non Muslims. It is insane and suicidal to cooperate with them in any way. All practicing Muslims have the same goal.

    Report Post »  
  • momprayn
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:36pm

    A couple of great sites re info and action re Muslims here:

    http://www.actforamerica.com

    http://www.shoebat.com

    Report Post »  
  • cassandra
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:35pm

    isn’t this exactly what Glenn Beck said would happen the communist and the muslims will work together to bring down America as we know it

    Report Post »  
  • s0ck_monkey
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:35pm

    This isn’t a surprising revelation, considering that George Bush, Sr. met with Osama Bin Laden’s eldest brother before 9/11 to discuss “mutual business interests involving the Carlyle Group”….who, by the way, holds a huge number of defense contracts.

    Nothing like sleeping with the enemy, eh?

    Report Post »  
    • EP46
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 6:24am

      There is NO such person as George Bush “Sr” ..if you are speaking of presidents !

      Report Post »  
    • s0ck_monkey
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 8:55am

      I was speaking of George Herbert Walker Bush…who has been referred to in the media as George Bush, Sr…or George Bush the Elder. The father of George W. Bush.

      I used the “Sr” term because I didn’t feel like typing out his entire name.

      I’m pretty sure most everyone knows who I meant!

      Report Post »  
  • Snake
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:31pm

    The Muslim Brotherhood is the largest criminal organization in the US. The Muslim Brotherhood should be banned from from every aspect of America.

    Dig deep into who you buy anything from. Expose the Muslim Brotherhood for the criminals and disgusting pigs that they are!!!!!

    Report Post » Snake  
  • DIVINEPROVIDENCE1776
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:30pm

    Speechless.

    Report Post » DIVINEPROVIDENCE1776  
  • welovetheUSA
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:29pm

    Why are these white house officials doing this stuff……….they should be packing their bags and getting ready to move out of Washington.

    Report Post » welovetheUSA  
  • suedstate
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:26pm

    Wonder if it the same way the Muslim Brotherhood reached out and worked with the Nazi’s during WW2.
    Anybody ever wonder what Obummers big speech in Cairo was about, sowing the seeds of Egypt to-day.
    I watched a few minute of o’s speech at the Holocaust Museum, talk about lack of any emotion he sure had it, soulless.

    Report Post »  
  • cuinsong
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:25pm

    Obviously he cares more about other Muslim workers then US workers!
    A&& hole

    Report Post » cuinsong  
  • TheBoracle
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:24pm

    I grew up with Muslims and Jews. his is not about Halal or Kosher. It‘s about the admin’s NEED to reach out and embrace something we DO NOT need! I do not need Sharia law……

    Report Post »  
  • momprayn
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:23pm

    Yesireeeee….all good Muslims support Obama’s agenda to take down America….and vice versa just like all good Communists like Gorby on the other thread. Yes — interesting duo – huh….Communists and Muslims. Interesting isn’t it..

    http://www.commieblaster.com

    Report Post »  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:21pm

    I guess I might find a job now….. making Quran’s, burkas and suicide vests!

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • JP4JOY
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:20pm

    Wouldn’t this be a separation of Church and State issue? The Muslim Brotherhood is not only a political but also a religious faction. Bad, bad, move. I don’t want them or their businesses on our soil or on our dime.

    Report Post » JP4JOY  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:25pm

      @JP4JOY
      Remember…. the US Government has declared the Muslim BrotherHOOD a Secular organization. They said so in front of Congress so it must be true. : (

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • littleQueenie
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:20pm

    Get ready for halal slaughterhouses and only halal meat in your grocery stores.
    This is how it all starts.
    You’ll be eating animals sacrificed to Satanic Allah and not even know it’s tainted meat.

    Report Post »  
  • trueamerican40
    Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:09pm

    Muslim brotherhood…Odumbo says yes! yes!////Small business friendly…not in a billion years.

    Report Post » trueamerican40  
    • rawmilker
      Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:22pm

      They already own 2/3 of the convienience stores in america, & that’s a good CASH business to dictate paying less taxes….

      Report Post » rawmilker  
    • trueamerican40
      Posted on April 23, 2012 at 11:21pm

      No thanks…satan is guiding Islam and Odumbo is riding this beast all the way to the bank of corruption…less taxes? Where?

      Report Post » trueamerican40  
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