Obama: Transition in Egypt "Must Begin Now" (Mubarak's presidency "essentially over")

[kpete]

Source: cbs

February 1, 2011 7:07 PM
Obama: Transition in Egypt "Must Begin Now"

President Obama said late Tuesday afternoon that an "orderly transition" in Egypt "must begin now" in the wake of widespread protests that have thrown the country into turmoil.

....................

Mr. Obama said he spoke to the 82-year-old Mubarak following the Egyptian leader's announcement, a conversation that the White House said lasted approximately 30 minutes. A special U.S. envoy had reportedly informed Mubarak earlier that the Obama administration saw Mubarak's presidency -- which has lasted nearly three decades -- as essentially over.

"After his speech tonight, I spoke directly to President Mubarak," Mr. Obama said. "He recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable. And that a change must take place. Indeed, all of us who are privileged to serve in positions of political power do so at the will of our people. Through thousands of years, Egypt has known many moments of transformation, the voices of the Egyptian people tell us that this is one of those moments. This is one of those times."

He continued: "Now, it is not the role of any other country to determine Egypt's leaders. Only the Egyptian people can do that. What is clear, and what I indicated tonight to President Mubarak, is my belief that an orderly transition must be meaningful. It must be peaceful, and it must begin now."

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20030312-503544.html

[RainDog]

1. good speech n/t

[Raschel]

2. Done perfectly by a VERY intelligent President. I think he has handled this beautifully.

[politicasista]

4. +1 He had help too n/t

[Raschel]

5. I know , our posts.

[Bragi]

3. His key message: Mubarak can stay on until September

He could have done what John Kerry did, and supported the demand of the Egyptian people that Mubarak leave now.

Instead, he made it clear Mubarak can stay until September as long as he works towards a "transition".

For that reason, while the speech sounded nice, it substantively sucked.

The good news is that Mubarak will likely be gone by Friday anyway, even without pressure from Obama.

[Moosepoop]

6. Where in his remarks was anything said

about Mubarek staying on until September?

[Raschel]

7. No, he said, "transition must begin now". Mubarak staying is not transition.

It is not now. AND Mubarak already CHANGED his admin. so that isn't included in what the President is alluding to.

[egressingsparrowdrop]

18. Mubarek staying is not transition?

How ya figure?

Mubarek staying until September, regardless of what Obama said, does not preclude transition.

This issue has people on DU passionate, but I wish people would refrain from the so much blatant logical falsehood as has occurred since this situation began.

[Raschel]

20. Not "blatant logical falsehood." Just facts.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/2011/02/obama_gets_tough_on_egypts_wea.html

Western diplomats say that they and the US state department have come separately to the same conclusion: Mubarak must go now. Real reform will not work while he is at the helm.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4718276&mesg_id=4718808

Envoy for Obama tells Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to step aside
Frank Wisner, an envoy sent to Cairo at President Obama's request, tells Hosni Mubarak that he should not be part of the 'transition' that the U.S. has called for. 'This message was plainly rebuffed,' says a source.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41375557/ns/local_news-anchorage_ak/

WASHINGTON -- A U.S. envoy in Cairo told Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that he needed to step aside and allow a new government to take shape without him but was rebuffed, according to Middle East experts who have discussed the matter with the Obama administration.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110201/ap_on_re_us/us_us_egypt_86

Supportive comments:

On Capitol Hill, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said Mubarak must leave sooner than he plans because his government "has no credibility" to oversee a process toward democracy.
"His continued role in Egypt's transition is unrealistic," Leahy said in a statement.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., was more conciliatory. "President Mubarak should now work with the military and civil society to establish an interim caretaker government," he said.

[decidedlyso]

11. Time is needed for the US to find and groom a Mubarak clone. I'm sure the

Egyptians know that. I sure hope your prognostication comes true, but I am not as sanguine as you.

[Raschel]

13. Well he didn't say, "transition has already started". He said it must start now.

But you've got me pegged perfectly as far as sanguine goes!

:hi:

[egressingsparrowdrop]

19. This isn't Iraq

How stupid to you believe Egyptians are? They are not occupied by the US, and have a modern nation of 80 million.

Your analysis is bizarre and ill informed.

[decidedlyso]

22. Occupation can also be a state-of-mind, and is in that place. I

talk to Egyptians all the time. My doctor is an Egyptian. My analysis is MY analysis. True, Egypt is no Iraq. Iraq was the US's Parthia. Egypt is simply a post-crime reaction of a reengaged population. September will just ensure another Mubaruk. Sulieman (sp) is being indoctrinated right now.

[msongs]

8. too bad he is not so tough with republicans. oh well nt

[Moosepoop]

9. Too bad some people have such bitter souls.

Oh well.

[Bluebear]

17. Disgusting.

[PufPuf23]

10. Alas POTUS Obama characteristically makes wishy-washy statements.

I hope they are cover for substantial conversations by principals. I also hope Israel sits quietly.

The USA should be ready with humanitarian and medical aid by Navy followed by financial aid, primarily construction equipment and supplies.

I love Egypt.

[decidedlyso]

12. As long as that aid is not expected to win entitlements from Egypt. That

is how the US does things. Might be better for Egypt if they sought aid elsewhere. If they accept US aid, that will speak volumes.

[humbled_opinion]

14. LOL ....

You think this Repuke Congress will be offerring any money to the Egyptians? .... Aren't we getting ready to cut Social Security/Medicare/Pensions/Labor Unions/Community Programs etc.... They won't be sending any dollars.... no no no...

[kimsarah]

15. Send our goodwill ambassador

John Bolton to Egypt to speak on behalf of Mr. Mubarak directly to the protesters, face-to-face. Mr. Bolton could convey the importance of a smooth and orderly transition to our liking in, say, over a period of the next few months. That would be a great act of public service on Mr. Bolton's part. We'd owe him a debt of gratitude.

[kimsarah]

16. Good point

on another site. Mubarak and his wealthy (American?) friends need to stretch this out as long as they can so they can loot the treasury sufficiently.

[decidedlyso]

23. Right. That's what they are doing. It is always the same.

[Le Taz Hot]

21. Go with the Goddess,

I just wish he could have made this announcement much sooner. Like 4 or 5 days ago.