U.S. to reconsider aid to Egypt as it eyes Mubarak's response to protests
U.S. Secretary of State Clinton condemns violence from both police and protesters, calls for internet and social networking sites to be restored.
By The Associated Press Tags: Israel newsSecretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is appealing for Egyptian authorities to respect the rights of their citizens amid a crackdown on swelling anti-government protests and heed demands for political and economic reform.
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White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs comments on the current situation in Egypt during his daily media briefing at the White House in Washington, January 28, 2011. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
Speaking on Friday as street demonstrations rocked Egypt's capital despite a curfew, Clinton urged calm on both sides and said the government must investigate and prosecute any allegations of brutality by security forces against protesters. She also called on Egypt to restore access to the Internet and social media sites that have been blocked.
Increasing the pressure on Egypt's leaders, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs suggested that the United States may reduce a $1.5 billion program of foreign aid depending on President Hosni Mubarak's response to the swelling street protests across the country.
Clinton's and Gibbs' comments to reporters came as the Obama administration has stepped up pressure on its longtime ally Egypt to listen to voices of discontent.
Asked about Mohamed ElBaradei, a leading opposition figure who has been placed under house arrest, Gibbs said, "This is an individual who is a Nobel laureate and has worked with Obama. These are the type of actions that the government has a responsibility to change."
Asked whether the U.S would prefer a different, more tolerant government in Egypt, Gibbs said, "I don't want to project into the future. I don't think that would be a wise use of my time. The government of Egypt is an issue for the people of Egypt."
Gibbs suggested contingency plans had been made for the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, should that become necessary.
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Egypt, one of America's closest Arab allies, must respect the fundamental rights of its people, allow them to communicate, and avoid violence if the country is to thrive.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak imposed a night curfew and signaled he would send the military out in the streets for the first time to quell swelling protests that pose an unprecedented challenge to his regime.
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U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks at a news conference in Doha on Jan. 11, 2011. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
"Reform is vital to Egypt's long-term well-being," Crowley said. "The Egyptian government should view its people as a partner and not as a threat."
Crowley's comments were posted on Twitter, which along with other social media sites and the Internet itself has been blocked by Egyptian authorities as the protests grow.
The White House said President Barack Obama had several meetings with aides Friday about the situation in Egypt and related demonstrations and unrest in other Arab nations.
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In the name of what is right and what is wrong how would fellow American citizens of the great USA react if they were governed for 30 years by Hosni Mubarak?
it is Egypt's internal affair.. Ms. Clinton should stay away from any comments. Seems like she keeps treating friends like they are subservient....
This is not the time to stand on the fence or to lend support to the demonstrators after it is too late. This is the time for bold action and for telling Mubarak in no uncertain terms that his time has come to leave and to show the Egyptian people that America supports the democratic principals in both word and deed, and they support their right to live in dignity in a democratic society.
The Arab world's sleeping giant has finally woken from its slumbers after years of being drugged and mugged by the West.
Yes reforms are needed in Egypt as they are needed in many countries as Educated Middle Class are pushed Down instead of Up.
Clinton should be telling Israel to respect the rights of Palestinians who have the right to demonstrate/rebel against illegal occupation. However what the USA says these days is of diminishing importance and received with the greatest of the mistrust it has earned over it's extreme bias towards Israel.
This unprepared revolution may be very hazardous to the ordinary people in Egypt. It is never a good time for revolution. It is a very bad time now.
HEAD of HILL: did she forget GAY RIGHTS? COS: HOW CUM she forgot all the gays killed cruelly as United States sustained Mubarak all those years? HOW MUCH IS THÁT GOING2CÓST United States
you reap what you sow..about time the $1.5 billion per year that we gave so generously to egypt should be used at home for our schools, to create jobs and help our homeless.
just like Israël does with its growing minorities.
Where was this administration when people where fighting for their freedom in Iran. Not a word was spoken. This administration is for the Arab radicals. Israel better be prepared if Egypt goes down. The radicals will control the Middel East and they have the weapons that could hurt Israel very seriously.
When the Ayatollahs were mowing down hundreds of innocent protesters in Tehran, Clinton stayed quiet. All of a sudden concern? The only answer is she is following Obama's appeasement policy towards terrorism given el Baradei's connection to the ayatollahs and Hezbollah
Ever since Israel embarrassed Obama on the world stage, he seems to avoid talking in public about mideast issues. Is that because he is so embarrassed at his failure or because his Israeli masters have forbidden him to speak?
but your country should stay out of it Ms Clinton. enough with the interferences.
What a shame
HILLARY: Restore private communication between protesters. Not only is this the Right thing to do, but the protesters will be stunned and will no longer blame you for being a dictator. NETANYAHU: Blame it all on somebody else, like the EU. They could have taken many more Egyptians as migrant workers, but they just hate Muslims. YAALON (a political idiot): I agree, in principle, but Mubarak should blame it on Iran. They are the source of all trouble and can be accused of fomenting the unrest. BARAK: Mubarak, you will have to exercise force, power in the street. But you are strong enough according to my assessment to overcome the demonstrators. LIEBERMAM: Don't worry about the Egyptians' love towards you. They should fear you, not love you. Just hang a few demonstrators in the public square and quiet will be restored. BEGIN (honest, but a political idiot): I am my father's son and have a natural right to his legacy. Your son has a right to be president. Just announce that Gamal will be running in the coming elections. MERIDOR: My father was also a senior MK, but times are changing. Get your daughter to be the next president. This will bring worldwide acclaim, especially from Hillary, and the Egyptian people will be impressed. YISHAI: Rabbi Ovadia is your friend, so all you need to do is ask for his blessing and you will rule for ever and ever, Amen.
That ok I am sure the Moslem brotherhood thinks the same thing and no doubnt they will reform egypt and not to Clintons liking. Shut up Hillary your making trouble... we got enough
Everyone in Egypt knows that we have supported a dictator for decades. Not wise to remind them right now.
Let's face it Hillary, if these demonstrations are allowed to run amok, they will...and when they do, there'll be even more violence and destruction.
She clearly doesn't understand what's going on over there..
"Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God" - 2Samuel 16:23// Ahithophel gave Absalon, the son of King David, an advice that if followed, would have won him the Kingdom of Israel. Hillary gave Hariri the Son advice, which he followed and lost his rule over Lebanon. Hillary's advice was for Lebanon to stick with the International court investigating Hariri Sr.'s murder, and the Son followed it. The least that would have happened was an insurrection by Hizballah or a civil war. Fortunately for everybody, the Druze understood the threat and helped bring down the Hariri government by Kosher parliamentary means. Hillary still doesn't understand diplomacy. It is the art of the possible, lady. If you follow a route that does more damage than good, it is a stupid way of diplomacy. Obama himself needs some Ahithophel for help, not this anti-Ahithophel named Hillary.
Didn't say that two summers ago... This your attempt to assure that you still have channels in Cairo if the "Rais" stays in power, while trying to please a crowd you never really cared about. An attempt to secure the Empire Malignant Hillary? Even Rice was doing a better job than you... it shows how low you sink every time you speak of the peace process, the need of democracy in the Arab world and the "respect of sovereignty of states"... Lebanese know a lot about the latter...