THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: The full horror of Egypt's political convulsions has emerged, as relatives gathered at morgues filled with bodies and doctors described their heroic efforts to save the wounded.
As President Hosni Mubarak installed his head of intelligence as the first vice-president of his 30-year rule in a desperate effort to cling to power, it became clear that the death toll from the past two days of violent disturbances was even higher than officials claimed.
A tally of credible figures from around Egypt collated by The Sunday Telegraph showed that at least 89 people had died, compared with the 62 admitted by officials on Saturday. A further 2,500 were said to have been injured.
Among the dead were 10 policemen — some had been attacked by protesters. The civilian dead and injured included many shot with live rounds: doctors and protesters displayed bullets they had picked up from the streets after police — and in some cases soldiers — opened fire.
The use of live ammunition against his people, with witnesses claiming that deadly rounds had been fired by units of the elite presidential guard, throws into further doubt continued American support for Mr Mubarak’s regime.
President Barack Obama telephoned his counterpart late on Friday night to urge the 82-year-old leader to take concrete steps toward reform. “Violence will not address the grievances of the Egyptian people, and suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away,” he said after the 30-minute conversation. >>> Colin Freeman, and Richard Spencer Cairo | Saturday, January 29, 2011
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: As Washington struggles to come to terms with a rapidly changing Middle East, US President Barack Obama is acutely aware he must get Egypt right, for the wrong side of history eagerly beckons.
Faced with a dilemma that has long troubled Western leaders, including Britain's, Barack Obama's administration has not covered itself in glory vis à vis Egypt.
Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of State, was conspicuously caught between two natural inclinations - encouraging the forces of democracy and preserving an autocratic but deeply loyal friend of the United States and its allies.
Initially, she said that although the US supported "the fundamental rights of expression and assembly", in her view the Egyptian government was "stable".
The next day, as the turmoil deepened in Cairo, she declared that reform "must be on the agenda" of the Egyptian government, which should respond to "active, civil leaders".
Vice President Joe Biden, whose foot is never far from his mouth, rejected the suggestion that Mubarak was a dictator and questioning whether the crowds of Egyptians were indeed making "legitimate claims".
Those were dangerous words. The US provides $1.3 billion military aid annually to Egypt, money which helps fund a repressive apparatus that Washington now more than ever does not want to be closely identified with.
Rather late in proceedings, Mr Obama himself produced a more calibrated response on Friday, edging away from Hosni Mubarak and effectively putting the Egyptian leader on notice. "This moment of volatility has to be turned into a moment of promise," said the US president, who urged that "reforms that meet the aspirations of the Egyptian people". >>> Alex Spillius, Washington | Saturday, January 29, 2011
My comment:
In two years, Mr Obama has shown himself to be a quick learner.
The pace of his learning seems to have slowed considerably, then! He and his administration appear to have been caught on left foot. His reaction, and the reaction of his cronies, is way out there in left field. Neither Obama nor Hillary Clinton are doing themselves any favours by propping up Hosni Mubarak. However good an ally he has been to America, his reign is coming to an end. He's finished. He is an ailing, ageing man who has lost all credibility. Further, he has failed to understand that the people of Egypt do not want him any longer. Which part of the word 'go' doesn't this geriatric understand?
Asking Mubarak to reform is not enough. The man has had thirty-one years to reform; and in that time, he has demonstrated his reluctance to reform anything. Obama, Clinton, Cameron, and Hague are all wrong to back him any longer. The US, in particular, with all the billions they have been supplying this régime with, would have a lot of leverage with Egypt. Obama should be using that leverage to ease Mubarak out of power. Obama should be showing the young of the Arab world that America is committed to democracy, committed to the will of the people. After all, there was supposed to be “a new beginning.” So why not back ElBaradei? He is the right man waiting in the wings. He is perfectly capable and willing to take over from Mubarak. Further, at eighty-two, it is high time that Mubarak spent far more time with his family!
By going against the wishes of the people of Egypt, who, as we all know, have been suppressed and have suffered for far, far too long already, Obama risks a backlash against America in the post-Mubarak age. And that age is fast approaching. Mubarak may from here on in stumble along for a short while, but it is now only a matter of time.
Obama is showing himself to be a political greenhorn. Far from learning fast, as you suggest, he appears to be in the remedial class! – © Mark
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THE SUNDAY TIMES: Egypt’s generals urge Mubarak to step down: The country’s new vice-president and defence minister warns its ‘stubborn’ president to end his 30-year rule as thousands of protestors defy curfew >>> Marie Colvin and Uzi Mahnaimi | Sunday, January 30, 2011 [£]
