Hillary Clinton says U.S. not pushing for ouster of Egyptian President Mubarak (LAT)

[somone]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-clinton-egypt-20110131,0,6713553.story

Hillary Clinton says U.S. not pushing for ouster of Egyptian President Mubarak
By Paul Richter

Reporting from Washington — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Sunday called for Egypt to move toward "real democracy" but also made clear that the United States was not demanding that embattled President Hosni Mubarak step down in the face of continuing demonstrations. In a series of television interviews, Clinton also eased slightly off the administration's threats on Friday to yank Egypt's billions in aid, saying such a step was not now under discussion.

Clinton spoke warmly of the Egyptian military as a "respected institution" and advised it to help move the country from its current unrest to an "orderly transition." "We are urging the Mubarak government, which is still in power; we are urging the military, which is a very respected institution, to do what is necessary to facilitate that kind of orderly transition."

She spoke to NBC's "Meet the Press," "Fox News Sunday," ABC's "This Week," CBS' "Face the Nation," and CNN's "State of the Union."

U.S. officials are looking for what they are calling "managed change" -- a gradual transition to elections that lead the way to a greater sharing of power and economic reforms. With the Iranian revolution of 1979 in mind, they fear an abrupt transition that would lead to turmoil and a possible seizure of power by what they feel is the wrong kind of leadership...

[mix]

1. He's a family friend after all. nt

[justiceischeap]

2. How can anyone say the admin isn't pushing for ouster with this statement?

"to do what is necessary to facilitate that kind of orderly transition"

I just find that statement so telling.

[sufrommich]

3. Yeah, they've given up on Mubarak. nt

[Le Taz Hot]

4. Oh, yes they are!

Criminee sakes, can this administration EVER tell the truth? They see it's an untenable situation. They have for at least three days now. They're working behind the scenes to get him out.

[sufrommich]

7. I agree, I also think they're talking to the Muslim Brotherhood and

Elbaradei.

[justiceischeap]

Bingo! nt

[RainDog]

8. it is the nature of politics to not tell the truth

to ever expect a politician to say anything truthful - well, that's just not going to happen.

however, it would be nice if our media didn't simply parrot political positions.

[cherokeeprogressive]

9. Tell that to the WikiWorshippers... LOL n/t

[lunatica]

5. The Obama Administration is trying to walk a tightrope publicly

Which I think is very wise. I have no doubts that behind the scenes they're burning up the phones. As I believe are all the countries involved with the Middle East in any way.

[mzteris]

11. yeah - can you imagine the rw screaming

if he publicly supported the "muslim brotherhood"?

Obama can't win for losing with some people.

I'm constantly appalled by the anti-Obama sentiment on DU. The numbers of people on here who hate him and want him to fail are damn near equal to FR! (One has to ask the question: "why"? I have my suspicions. . . )

[sufrommich]

13. I agree, it would be naive to believe that the US administration

would publicly call for Mubarak to step down,any remark like that would be seen as the US trying to control the situation. She's saying what she can say publicly.

[hedgehog]

17. If we say nothing, that could be taken as implicit support for the revolt.

If we support the revolt, that implies we are in control of the rebels. If we say we support the Egyptian people, that sounds like we're giving permission for an overthrow. Damned if we do, damned if we don't.

[sufrommich]

18. Yep, sticky situation. nt

[purrFect]

6. they are making those steps, by appointing a new VP and prime minister to succeed him, but

i doubt the people are going to go for it.

[mix]

10. VP Omar Suleiman...that name says it all,

the US wants the same corrupt oligarchy, not democracy.

[justiceischeap]

14. See post #7

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=307852&mesg_id=307874

[mix]

16. And this means?

Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman is the US preference...he'll keep order and allow Mubarak a "dignified" exit.

The US does not want democracy in the Arab/Muslim world. This country never has and never will.

[justiceischeap]

19. And this means, we don't know that the US doesn't have

ElBaradei in their pocket.

[purrFect]

20. the Egyptians support him, and he has a track record of standing up to the U.S.

and he would just be a transitional leader until elections are set up.

i say he would be the Egyptians best bet... however we have a history of taking out popular leaders.


and so it goes...

[mix]

24. Your stated reasons are why he won't become Egypt's next leader--interim or otherwise-

not if the American government has a say.

But history often passes us by--Somoza in Nicaragua--and then we once again arm and fund the autocrats to regain what we lost.

[SoCalDem]

12. well that was un-helpful to the millions of Egyptians who want him gone..yesterday n/t

[gateley]

15. My guess is that's the public stance, who knows what's going on behind

the scenes?

They have to keep this position on the chance that Mubarak is able to hold on. He has been an ally in some helpful situations and they don't want to jeopardize further actions should he remain in power.

I'm just so hopeful that he is ousted -- period. Whatever it takes for a peaceful transition for these people. They deserve a leader who cares.

And, I just have to say, I'm constantly surprised that DUers, of all people, take policy statements from the Administration at face value! It's politics, people!

[burnsei sensei]

21. And that, Madame Clinton of the Third Way, is

your first and biggest mistake in this crisis.
The elite looks after its own.

[SidDithers]

22. I doubt they could officially push for anything...

it's important that the US back the winner, without influencing the process at all.

Sid

[gateley]

25. Agree. This is real life. nt

[burnsei sensei]

23. "managed change"

Yeah.
The French tried that in 1789. It didn't work.
The thought of the guillotine for this corrupt international elite does not displease me at all.

[mix]

26. That is exactly the mode the administration is in...they have been surpassed by events. nt

[MikeNY]

27. Lame tightwalk

If by some chance the Mubarek regime remains in power, the State Department is trying to maintain the alliance. But at this stage, its over for this Mubarek guy. This guy has been absolute ruler of Egypt for 30 years with puppet elections and emergency powers. He has police firing on his own people, and the army won't do anything to support him, as far as anyone can tell.

We should just support the protesters. Its in our core values after all. How did we get started? Otherwise, we should keep quiet and go silent running on the issue. Whoever takes control of Egypt, whether its the Muslim Brotherhood or this Democracy group is going to be pretty pissed at the US for these contradictory statements, especially when blood is being spilled on the streets.

Once again, no long-term vision of the future from our government.

"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."

[rucky]

28. ...publicly.

and I don't expect them to.