A government counterattack has thrown the three-week old campaign against the new Law 153 for Associations and Civil Institutions into disarray. Social affairs minister Mervat Tellawi has led a public relations campaign to deflect international criticism of law, which aims to keep a check on the activities of non-governmental organizations. At the same time, it appears, the ministry has maneuvered behind the scenes to break down a front of human rights groups - the most likely targets of the legislation - who vowed to disobey the new law at whatever cost.