Rice Criticizes U.S. Allies in Mideast Over Democracy

In a speech at the American University in Cairo Monday, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that in the past the United States "pursued stability at the expense of democracy in [the Middle East] . . . and we achieved neither." Rice said the Bush administration is now pursuing a new course as she presented plans to promote democracy in the region. Here is a transcript of her speech.

RICE: Thank you very much, Dr. Han Mustafa (ph), for that really kind and warm introduction and your inspiring thoughts about democracy here in the region.

I'm honored to be here in the great and ancient city of Cairo.

The United States values our strategic relationship and our strengthening economic ties with Egypt. And America's presidents since Ronald Reagan have benefited from the wisdom and the counsel of President Mubarak, with whom I had the pleasure of meeting earlier today.

The people of America and Egypt have always desired to visit one another and to learn from one another. And the highest ideals of our partnership are embodied right here in the American University of Cairo.

This great center of learning has endured and thrived from the days when our friendship was somewhat rocky to today, when the relationship is strong.

RICE: And I'm very grateful and honored to address you in the halls of this great center of learning.

Throughout its history, Egypt has always led this region through its moments of greatest decision. In the early 19th century, it was the reform-minded dynasty of Muhammed Ali that distinguished Egypt from the Ottoman Empire and began to transform it into the region's first modern nation.

In the early 20th century, it was the forward-looking Wafd Party that rose in the aftermath of the First World War and established Cairo as the liberal heart of the Arab awakening.

And just three decades ago, it was Anwar Sadat who showed the way forward for the entire Middle East, beginning difficult economic reforms and making peace with Israel.

In these periods of historic decision, Egypt's leadership was as visionary as it was essential for progress. And now in our own time, we are faced with equally momentous choices, choices that will echo for generations to come.

In this time of great decision, I've come to Cairo not to talk about the past but to look to the future, to a future that Egyptians can lead and can define.