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Sunday, January 30th, 2011

Egypt Unrest: Tough Questions if Revolution Succeeds

Author:     YOLANDE KNELL
Source:     BBC News (U.K.)
Publication Date:     29 January 2011 | 18:22 ET
 Link: Egypt Unrest: Tough Questions if Revolution Succeeds
Stephan:   This is a recurring pattern. The U.S. places stability ahead of democratic process, because it is more profitable in the short-term. Then, as always happens, finds itself supporting authoritarian governments, and not managing their inevitable downfall well. It has echoed across the world from Asia, to Latin America, to the Middle East. And each time it unleashes a generation of anti-American sentiment. Do you think it might be a good idea to figure out how to do this better? I lived in Egypt for most of two years, and one learns very quickly the Egyptians do not consider themselves Arabs, and take offense at those who don't get that. Also Egypt has been a stable society for most of its multi-thousand year history, with short nasty bouts of violent social change, one of which we now seem to be entering. But Egypt is not inherently a violent culture. If the U.S. can comprehend this and support that which is life-affirming, we may get through this, and even help Egypt to become something more like Turkey, albeit more socially conservative.

CAIRO — Pro-democracy protesters have not been won over by President Mubarak’s government reshuffle

The ordered surroundings of the presidential offices where Hosni Mubarak officially appointed Omar Suleiman, his trusted intelligence chief, as his first deputy seemed a far cry from the anger and chaos that was clearly visible on nearby Cairo streets.

While he no doubt hoped his new government would assure demonstrators of his intentions to embrace political reform, as he announced on state television late on Friday, few were convinced by his efforts.

‘We are not dying so that he can just make changes to his ministers. We want a real democracy with limited presidential terms. He didn’t listen to the people,’ said Mohamed Sadiq who had joined tens of thousands of Egyptians in the crowds in central Tahrir Square.

A student, Yumla, dismissed the elderly Mr Mubarak as hopelessly out of touch with reality.

‘All people are against this president and his government and its corruption,’ said Yumla. ‘It’s rubbish. We don’t want it any more and we won’t go home until he goes.’

In recent years, pro-democracy and human rights rallies have tended to draw small numbers of the same familiar faces onto the streets, usually to be crushed with a […]

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