McClatchy: Statement from President Obama on Egypt

[flpoljunkie]

Statement of President Barack Obama on Egypt

McClatchy Newspapers
Published: Feb 10, 2011 8:00 PM

The Egyptian people have been told that there was a transition of authority, but it is not yet clear that this transition is immediate, meaningful or sufficient. Too many Egyptians remain unconvinced that the government is serious about a genuine transition to democracy, and it is the responsibility of the government to speak clearly to the Egyptian people and the world. The Egyptian government must put forward a credible, concrete and unequivocal path toward genuine democracy, and they have not yet seized that opportunity.

As we have said from the beginning of this unrest, the future of Egypt will be determined by the Egyptian people. But the United States has also been clear that we stand for a set of core principles. We believe that the universal rights of the Egyptian people must be respected, and their aspirations must be met. We believe that this transition must immediately demonstrate irreversible political change, and a negotiated path to democracy. To that end, we believe that the emergency law should be lifted. We believe that meaningful negotiations with the broad opposition and Egyptian civil society should address the key questions confronting Egypt’s future: protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens; revising the Constitution and other laws to demonstrate irreversible change; and jointly developing a clear roadmap to elections that are free and fair.

We therefore urge the Egyptian government to move swiftly to explain the changes that have been made, and to spell out in clear and unambiguous language the step by step process that will lead to democracy and the representative government that the Egyptian people seek. Going forward, it will be essential that the universal rights of the Egyptian people be respected. There must be restraint by all parties. Violence must be forsaken. It is imperative that the government not respond to the aspirations of their people with repression or brutality. The voices of the Egyptian people must be heard.

The Egyptian people have made it clear that there is no going back to the way things were: Egypt has changed, and its future is in the hands of the people. Those who have exercised their right to peaceful assembly represent the greatness of the Egyptian people, and are broadly representative of Egyptian society. We have seen young and old, rich and poor, Muslim and Christian join together, and earn the respect of the world through their non-violent calls for change. In that effort, young people have been at the forefront, and a new generation has emerged. They have made it clear that Egypt must reflect their hopes, fulfill their highest aspirations, and tap their boundless potential. In these difficult times, I know that the Egyptian people will persevere, and they must know that they will continue to have a friend in the United States of America.

[babylonsister]

1. No doubt whose side he's/we're on, is there, despite naysayers. Rec'd. nt

[flpoljunkie]

2. No doubt.

[Clio the Leo]

3. "I'm feelin' kinda fired up!"

someone is NOT amused

[jenmito]

4. K&R. Obama is clearly on the side of the protesters! n/t

[KoKo]

5. He needs to order that no American Made Tear Gas, Tanks, Guns or

other of our WMD that we gave them be EVER USED on ANY PROTESTOR. And to warn them of the Geneva Conventions against Torture and unlawful Imprisonment!

That would make me feel really good about Obama and his promises to keep.

[flpoljunkie]

6. There's contact between Gates and Egypt's army, and I strongly suspect that's now been made clear.

That said, I think it is the Egyptian army who needs to decide whose side they are on--Mubarak's or the people of Egypt.

[vaberella]

7. How do you know such a request hasn't been made?!

People assume that everything is being done in public...not everything that is done in public is publicized but people are making a lot of assumptions. Further more, it's a sovereign nation. It really doesn't have to listen to our "orders." We gave these weapons to this government. At that point we have no right to request anything. Well at least publicly. I don't think anything will make you feel really good because what I'm seeing is that for many the goal posts keep moving further and further away.

[KoKo]

9. Well then,.... I 'm hopeful in the coming days this will all come out. Restrictions..

that's what Obama needs to say. He needs to say "We will not be funding any more Guns, Tanks, WMD and Military Influence that allows your Military Leaders to prop up another Puppet Dictator like America has supported in the Past. Obama needs to say..."The American People Support YOUR RIGHT to RULE YOUR OWN LAND, FREE OF FOREIGN INVOLVEMENT FROM THE USA!"

[vaberella]

8. Great article. Thanks for the update. n/t