A second day of deadly clashes in Cairo's Tahrir Square has been more than enough to show President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year-old regime in its true colours. Refusing to step down until the next election in September 2011 and keeping silent on the demand that he rule his son Gamal out as a candidate for the succession, Mr. Mubarak has presided over fighting in which thousands of unarmed and peaceful protesters have had to defend themselves against brutal attacks by his purported supporters. Eyewitnesses identified among the attackers members of the government's semi-official thug militias and the notoriously vicious police, now in plain clothes. The role of the army, which was initially praised on all sides for its statement that it would not fire on protesters, is suspect after it let the hoodlums through the lines formed by soldiers around the edges of Tahrir Square. The violent turn has caused at least five deaths in addition to the 300 that the United Nations estimates have already occurred across the country; and more than 1,500 people are believed to have been injured since the mass protests started nine days ago.
It is clear that Mr. Mubarak will not change the way his government has always responded to dissent, namely, by unleashing repression. His earlier vague talk of political and economic reform, and his more specific moves — such as the hastily appointed Vice-President Omar Suleiman's promise to implement appeal-court decisions on contested election results, and the replacement of the notorious Interior Minister by a retired general — were no more than a smokescreen. The regime's initial moves served to buy time from its strongest backers, the United States and other western countries, and to delay their recognition that the Egyptian state has lost all legitimacy. Unsurprisingly, Washington's first reaction was to support its longstanding ally in the region by stressing order and stability. But a new situation has arisen, with the Obama administration changing tack to condemn the violence against the protesters by Mr. Mubarak's henchmen and to demand that he speed up his exit — and the dictatorial regime hitting out at what it has characterised as foreign interference aimed at “inciting the internal situation in Egypt.” Reports that the U.S. is now trying to establish links with the Muslim Brotherhood suggest that successive administrations have given little thought to what a post-Mubarak Egypt would look like. Now that the street has risen in do-or-die revolt against a hated regime that has unashamedly served the U.S. and Israeli interests in the region for three decades, Washington finds itself facing great uncertainty and forebodings of what might happen in the wider region beyond Egypt.
Keywords: Hosni Mubarak, Egypt crisis
Don't air a mandate unless you yourself follow that, so better we start from our country where Aam Aadmi is not getting livelihood, youth are not getting proper jobs(thogh 90% central and state positions are vacant), poor get no attention and so on.
Everyone who talks about islamic fundamentalism here. Did we ever hear about this before the western media made it popular? Don't tell me everything what the west preaches is fair. I live in the west and I am a subject of everyday racism. This doesn't come in mainstream media therefore no one talks about it. Islamic fundamentalism? it comes so much in media, we are taking about it. I am a believer in democracy. It is of the people, by the people and for the people. Give the future of every nation in the hands of its people. Let them decide who should rule them. If they go for Muslim Brotherhood, let them do that. They know something about them which we dont know. Offcourse, if the Muslim Brotherhood does something outside the boundary of Egypt, then everyone knows how to answer them. Therefore, let the people of Egypt decide for what they want.
It is all the question of what we see in democracy. If there is no proper accountability, it would only mean people will vote for the lesser thief among the politicians. We may see the same in Egypt as we see in India now.
The incident happening now in Egypt has to be aroused in India but not in a violent way. This is to bring up our country's economy because the only hinderance to our country is corruption. The politicians simply brain wash the people at the time of election when we all forget about the ill effects caused by that particular government,so we have think of ways to bring a developed India with in 2020 we pray in favour of the protesters of egypt.
No leader can fool people for ever. People want world comfort on equality and self respect.
In India it was Punjab, Bengal and then Kashmir and many more to follow. It seems people are fedup with traditional fundamentalism and corrupt officials. India urgntly needs rewriting of the Indian constitution. I suggest officials be appointed on contract. They should go along with Minister when there is a change in ruling party. People will have new air to breath. The Islamic world is now realising the uprising of the people. A political renaisance is on the way in the world.
The people in Egypt deserves a fair push to reach a final step for a democratic status.The US and Israel including EU can offer a freindly hand to the very humble people and this will lead to a new aurora of peace, stability in the region ,more credibility for the US in the entire World! The wake-up call sfarted in Tunis then Cairo and is going to extand to many other kratic bureaus in an expected proportion. Different powers including the power of Israel refuse to allow this swift change to happen , then the oppressed people may opt to a human stubborness leaning toward deterrent will and negative consequences.
Yes, India should have a revolution. Remove the corruption and whichever family or party does it remove them Start fresh.
Really we need to initiate a revolution from the aam aadmi of our India which can honestly fight for eliminating the corruption at all levels. Corruption is the only cause which is hindering our nation's development process. Our representatives in the house are just games and people are enjoying them on TVs and in dailies.
Egyptians have given the wake-up call to all repressive and or corrupt regimes in Middle East and elsewhere.The regime of Mubarak was bankrolled and legitematised by successive US adminsiatrations and its lackies in Europe. Now, when the popular uprising of unprecedented proportions to dethrorne Mubarak is gaining momentum, the so called flag bearers of freedom of the individual are ready to dump Mubarak. The political establishment in India needs to look at the Egyptian uprising closely. Corruption is as bad as repression and the amasssing of wealth by politicians and public servants at the expense of the citizens cannot continue for long. Any uprising like the Egyption one will be very damaging to the country and to the democratic institutions.
Can't HOSNI MUBARAK see the writing on the wall that 'he must leave now' ? BY unleashing terror on the peacefully protesting people he is merely increasing the level of hatred in the hearts of Egyptian people. The younger generation do not want to be ruled by his son either. He must understand youth now want to decide themselves that who should form the government to take the policy decisions. Freedom is in the air.It cannot be trampled down by few camels and horse men. So better to leave with least bad feeling for loosing power than to be ousted forcefully. which would be heart and image shattering both.
Can people of India recognize that, what is happening under the Carpet in our Country (Corruption, Politics and Crime) is no different to the situation in Tunisia, Egypt and other countries. In our Country it is Simply more glamorized and camouflaged in the Name of democracy. I am waiting for a Revolution by the People, for the People and against the People who are corrupt.
A 'Must gO' series appears to be the in thing in political space, whether internal or international. Mubark must go. World attention gets focussed whenever or whereever world peace or democracy is theratened or is in jeopardy. It had been China's Tiananman Square a few years ago. It is Cairo's Tahrir Square now. Hosni Mubarak has jelled as an abomination in Internationa Relations. Even his erstwhile allies have realised, though belatedly, this fact. Any attempt on Mubarak's part to latch on like a leach to power would augur his own terrible end. Egypt has a venerable history and a glorious cultural legacy, apart from its buried pyramids of reknown. Hope these historical truths will sink in Mubarak's mind and he may pave the way for the peaceful trasition to true democracy without further shedding of blood and loss of innocent lives.
As Egypt is burning, my heart goes out for the lovable Egyptians.Having lived there for long, I feel sad that such a nice place has to meet this kind of ill-fate.That Egypt was under poor governance regime is too well known. But, the country could contain the extremist activities to a large extent, although this was achieved not through an exactly democratic process. It was an oasis for the peace loving people in the Arab world. The country has an excellent record of tolerating the minorities and respecting other cultures. The Coptics, consisting of just 10% of Egypt's population, co-exist peacefully with the majority Muslims respecting each others' cultures. Even the handful of Jews living are well protected. This is a role model for other countries who try to build a pluralitic society.
It is unfortunate that Egypt, unlike India could not build democratic Institutions over the deacdes. There were no saftely valves to vent out peoples' feelings and this has resulted in this kind of wild and danegerous protests. Those who laud what happens in Egypt as popular protest for democracy should be equally aware of the potential dangers of such mass outrage that can turn into a misguided missile. Now with jail walls broken and law enforcing mechinary collapsed, all kinds of evil foces could be masquerading among the protesters who might do a much larger damage to the Egyptian society than Mubarack's flawed democracy. Where is the guarantee that it will not give birth to an even worse regime. All negative forces could take advantage and push the right thinking Egyptians into an even more unacceptable situation? Egyptians are the last people to wish for a Taliban model. It is shameful that museums have been looted, properties destroyed and lives lost in dozens, if not hundreds. International community should play a more active role to protect the hapless citicens of this great country by containing the situation.
Its not Mubarak,its others who have accompanied him so far and now want power and are behind all this violence and torture on peaceful protesters.They also want Mubarak to go, but want to retain power in their hands. It's not going to be so easy for anyone to transfer power to democracy,to people of egpyt.They have to earn it.
The unleashing of thugs riding on horsebacks and camels speaks for itself! Mubarak is a huge liability and nobody in his right mind should support him. Just like the Pakistan Army, here in Egypt too, the Army has been buying US goodwill by selling their false secular credentials and maintaining peace with Israel. The folks in Washington, who rely on quick-fix solutions to World affairs, believe that the miracle 'Tiger balm' for all problems is the US dollar! In every country throughout the Islamic world, shady characters are not only tolerated but actively supported. A million people in Cairo have shown that they have come of age! Mubarak cannot any longer claim that without his iron fist, chaos will prevail. The world will be a better place with these winds of change sweeping across the desert!
You state- 'revolt against a hated regime that has unashamedly served the U.S. and Israeli interests in the region for three decades'. Prior to these three decades, Egypt was a client state of the Soviet Union. The interference of the Soviet 'Advisors' and the supply of 'Flying Coffins' (MiGs)were the last straws on the camel's back. It was then that the tilt towards Washington started.Please consider the possibility of a rabid Islamist fundamentalist faction taking over power and the possible repercussions, not only for Africa but the world.
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