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Obama Now Backs Gradual Transition in Egypt as Crisis Continues
The decision to support efforts by Egypt's vice president, Gen. Omar Suleiman, to forge a compromise with opposition groups was announced by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at a conference of European leaders in Munich, the New York Times reported.
Clinton's statement was a departure from President Obama's demands as recently as Friday afternoon calling on the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, to make immediate changes and consider whether he should leave office soon in the face of the 12-day-long popular uprising and violent clashes in his country.
"This takes some time," Clinton said, explaining that it was important to support Suleiman as he tries to engage opposition groups to end the street protests. "There are certain things that have to be done in order to prepare."
The White House said the president made a number of calls to foreign leaders Saturday. He discussed his concern about the targeting of journalists and human rights groups, and reaffirmed that the government of Egypt has a responsibility to protect the rights of its people and to release immediately those who have been unjustly detained. The president emphasized the importance of an orderly, peaceful transition.
Clinton's statement suggested that Washington was not insisting that Mubarak leave office first. According to the Times, she said that Mubarak, having announced that he would not seek reelection in September, has in effect taken himself out of the political picture.
The U.S. government's call for gradual change was supported by Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, Turkey's foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu and other countries represented at the conference.
It appeared that the U.S. and its allies have decided that the best and safest way out of the crisis in Egypt -- a tinderbox that threatens to incite unrest in other Middle Eastern nations -- is a gradual change in government led by Suleiman. He is a key figure in Egypt's establishment and has backing from the military.
Vice President Biden spoke by phone Saturday with Suleiman and stressed "the need for a concrete reform agenda, a clear timeline, and immediate steps that demonstrate to the public and the opposition that the Egyptian government is committed to reform," the White House said.The United States, and the other like-minded governments, are seeking a transition to democratic pluralism that would keep the Muslim Brotherhood from becoming a dominant political force in the post-Mubarak era, according to Carl Bernstein, writing in The Daily Beast Saturday.
Obama and Hillary Clinton "have been working toward a solution that would permit him [Mubarak] to stay for a brief period as a powerless, de facto head of state," Bernstein wrote. "He would remain as such until new mechanisms, and perhaps a new Egyptian constitution, are in place."
Bernstein said a transition government under Suleiman could amend the constitution, end the state of emergency under which Murabak has ruled since 1981, and propose reforms including rights to assembly, free speech, religious freedom, presidential term limits, and the rules for the next presidential election, set for September.
Meantime, in Cairo, it was not clear whether a gradual transition would satisfy the pro-democracy protest movement which has demanded Mubarak's overthrow and the creation of a reformist government.
On Saturday, thousands of protesters held forth at Tahrir Square, but with foggy and drizzly weather the crowd seemed smaller than in past days.
Other major developments underlined the combustible situation in Cairo.
An assassination attempt on General Suleiman earlier this week was reported by Fox News and other media outlets but denied by the Egyptian government. Still, Fox News said a motorcade accompanying Suleiman was attacked but the general was not harmed.
In Munich, Secretary of State Clinton took note of the unconfirmed assassination attempt and, separately, an explosion at a gas pipeline in the Sinai Peninsula.
She said it "certainly brings into sharp relief the challenges we are facing as we navigate through this period."
In possible fallout from the uprising, it was reported by Al Arabiya television and other news media that Mubarak had resigned as head of the national ruling party and that other party leaders had also quit on Saturday, including Mubarak's son, Gamal. But late Saturday, Al Arabiya retracted the report that President Mubarak had left the party leadership. However, MSNBC confirmed that other party leaders, including Gamal Mubarak, had indeed resigned. The Associated Press also said ruling party leaders had relinquished their posts.
As the uprising ebbs and flows in Cairo, a consensus appears to be building among diplomats, heads of state and other experts that Mubarak should not be pushed out immediately and that gradual change and orderly elections are the best course for moving away from the upheaval that imperils the heart of the Arab world and the security of Israel.
By the end of the day in Cairo, the demonstrators were still in Tahrir Square and Mubarak remained in the presidential palace.
Around the world, protests were called to support the revolt. In the U.S., demonstrations were planned in California and Louisiana. And hundreds gathered in the cold rain in front of the United Nations in New York City to show solidarity with the Egyptian protesters.
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ISLAMIC FLOOD COMING TO U.S.? Islamic immigrants could flood ...
Feb 7, 2011 ... Israel National News recently reported that the Obama administration has decided to allow Islamic professor Tariq Ramadan to enter the ...
MAYBE YOU SHOULD DO A REPORT ON "WHO" this president is allowing into our country....and for what purpose. I believe this professor has been affliated with the muslim brotherhood.
ODD...the first report of his open visa was in January of this year....right before the uprising in Egypt. Did obama know what was coming?
My thoughts, not that they really matter - -but to bring sanity back to the discussion on this board. Seems to have deteriorated.
Having spent some time in the Middle East, I think the "path" outlined by Egypt's Vice President is reasonable. It takes time to "peacefully" transition a government.
If you "want it really bad and quick" then that's how you get it - - -"very quick and really bad".
If the protesters keep holding out, then they risk driving their own bus off of a cliff - - How long can the "organizers" control their own people before they themselves lose control of the situation - - - and a more radical group takes over?
All and all, what has been proposed is "revolutionary in itself" - -not "perfect" but I think "workable".
Having experienced something similar before and learned lessons from it - - -Actually ---- six to 12 months to organize elections is "light speed" for a society not accustomed to "Free and Fair Republic/Democratic" practices.
I think much praise to both sides.
I look forward to seeing how this unfolds - -in a very positive direction for all concerned.
==========================
Something else to think about - - - As revolutions go, this one has been "not so bad". Anyone who says diffeerent has never been in combat and never seem a "real one", at least not an bloody one.
So here it is: Actually if we had a "concert or NASCAR race" in the USA and 2 (two) million people showed up- - - - more people would die on the highway from traffic accidents than died in the protest (maybe a little exaggerated - - but you get the point).
I say - - hats off to both sides. Now let us move forward in an orderly fashion.
I know it's hard for the families who lost someone - - - -Not trying to make light of it. Let us not see them "lost in vain." Move forward orderly and peacefully. Perfection is the Achilles heel of "good enouigh" and mostly fails to move forward.
I am a soldier. Ask of you - - - No more blood.
Let me see: Eni-Mini-Midi-Moe. I guess Obama's finger is catching a different wind. Oh, that is right., the american people told him to mind his own business and I guess he is listening "finally". These arab people change their opinion of us when it suits them. They love our aids and our flour and our technology and our red cross trucks, but, they want us "to butte out of their government". And for once I agree with them. They don't want gay rights, they don't want child molestors, they don't want abortions, they don't want "evil". And the Great Beast and the False Prophet named Democracy must understand that they are against everything "we" stand for and tolerate. So, as President of the United State, he should shut his mouth- let them kill each other- and leave the IRON hand that has been placed in their government for 30 years. Do you really think they want the same "filthy democracy" that we have in this country? Please, wake up, already whitehouse and smell the roses.
February 06 2011 at 5:59 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyI love how our media and politicians are reporting that the Egyptians are protesting for democracy. NO the students in Iran were proteting for Democracy where was President Obama? There is nothing about Iran, hezbollah, hamas and the muslim brotherhood that supports democracy. Iran and the muslim brotherhood are encouraging and financing the taking over Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan, Turkey, North Africa, Lebanon and now Egypt. Keep in mind it was the Muslim Brotherhood that assassinated Mubarak's predecessor, Anwar Sadat, for making peace with Israel.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday that these uprisings will bring the irreperable defeat of the United States; adding that the recent wave of unrest sweeping through the Mideast was a result of Iran’s Islamic Revolution. This is not about democracy it is about setting up a global islamic caliphate.
So now Obama has backed Mubarek, has wanted him ousted immediately, and now wants him to leave gradually. What a jellyfish! The sooner we get some leadership and experience in the White House, the better this country will be. I don't think Jimmy Carter mishandled things so badly.
February 06 2011 at 5:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI agree with gradual transition, and I also think that Mubarak should go!! The majority of the people do not want him, so, acknowledge and respect the desire of them. He can leave his vice president to finish the term and make the necessary reforms for a true democratic process. Listen to the people!!! All they are saying is "Mubarak, go!!! They are not talking about his party or the government in general. So, if he goes, they can calm down and start talking about reforms with whoever is left in the government.
February 06 2011 at 5:17 PM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down ReplyI don't understand. There could be a third option that could satisfy both parties: the vice president could stay in power to put in place the reforms that the people ask for and, at the same time, Mubarak can leave now from his office too!! The people are asking him to leave, so, he can leave but leave his vice president to start the changes for the next elections. They don't want him there... why do you want to keep him?
February 06 2011 at 4:52 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI guess Obama realizes that Mubarak was not going to listen to Barak demand he step down immediately, so now Obama agrees to a slow transition, which is what Mubarak has been telling him all along would be best. Now Hillary is trying to say they were only offering their assistance and advise...ha! ha! No wonder the world has no respect left for America's Government. It's sad, very sad that we have shown the world that we no longer know who we are and what we are doing. We have lost our way and our values.
February 06 2011 at 4:32 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyMy thoughts, not that they really matter - -but to bring sanity back to the discussion on this board.
Having spent some time in the Middle East, I think the "path" outlined by Egypt's Vice President is reasonable. It takes time to "peacefully" transition a government.
If you "want it realy bad and quick" then that's how you get it - - -"very quick and really bad".
If the protesters keep holding out, then they risk driving their own bus off of a cliff - - How long can the "organizers" control their own people before they themselves lose control of the situation - - - and a more radical group takes over?
All and all, what has been proposed is "revolutionary in itself" - -not "perfect" but I think "workable".
Having experienced something similar before and learned lessons from it - - -Actually ---- six to 12 months to organize elections is "light speed" for a society not accustomed to "Free and Fair Republic/Democratic" practices.
I think much praise to both sides.
I look forward to seeing how this unfolds - -in a very positive direction for all concerned.
This man is ALL over the map, doesn't have clue of what to do, and whats even scarer, the people around him don't have a clue either. Thet way this should have been handled is through the back channels. But it is interesting that he said NOTHING when the students in Iran took to the streets. Let's hope he does stick his foot in his mouth with the interview he his doing with O'Reilly, you know he'll dance around every question if he can, or put you to sleep with a long drawn out answer.
February 06 2011 at 3:03 PM Report abuse Permalink +20 rate up rate down Reply
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