WASHINGTON— President Barack Obama on Tuesday said an “orderly transition” to a new, more democratic government must begin immediately in Egypt.
But even as Obama told Egyptians that he could“hear your voices” demanding change, the U.S. president gave no indication of whether he wants Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to step down immediately.
Obama spoke by phone with the 82-year-old dictator for 30 minutes Tuesday evening following his announcement to Egyptians that he would not seek re-election in September to another six-year term.
In a five-minute statement at the White House, Obama said he insisted to Mubarak that the U.S. wants meaningful change in the country— starting with “free and fair” elections that respond to the Egyptian people’s demand for change.
“He recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable and that a change must take place,” Obama said. “Through thousands of years, Egypt has known many moments of transformation. The voices of the Egyptian people tell us that this is one of those moments. This is one of those times.”
Obama has been under pressure from pro-democracy activists— in Egypt and the United States — to support the street protesters’ continued demands for Mubarak to leave office now.
With the situation in Egypt growing increasingly tense and fluid by the day, the White House at first used back-door channels to try and persuade Mubarak to yield power.
Obama dispatched a former U.S. ambassador to Egypt, David Wisner, to tell Mubarak he could not cling to power.
But Obama was careful in his statement not to set any timeline for Mubarak’s departure, or the transition to new government.
“It is not the role of any other country to determine Egypt’s leaders. Only the Egyptian people can do that,” Obama said. “What is clear, and what I indicated (Tuesday) tonight to President Mubarak, is my belief that an orderly transition must be meaningful. It must be peaceful, and it mustbegin now.”
He added:“Furthermore, the process must include the broad spectrum of Egyptian voices and opposition parties. It should lead to elections that are free and fair. And it should result in a government that is not only grounded in democratic principles, but is also responsive to the aspirations of the Egyptian people.”
Obama’s approach to the crisis — nudging Mubarak out rather than pushing him — leaves the U.S. president offside with Egyptians who, fearing Mubarak will find a way to cling to power, want him to make a quick exit.
All the same, the U.S. president’s appeal for Mubarak to begin a transition from office after three decades represents a sharp break from the longtime U.S. policy of supporting his regime.
Obama addressed the Egyptian people directly in his statement.
“The last few days, the passion and the dignity that has been demonstrated by the people of Egypt has been an inspiration to people around the world, including here in the United States,” Obama said.
“To the people of Egypt, particularly the young people of Egypt, I want to be clear — we hear your voices. I have an unyielding belief that you will determine your own destiny and seize the promise of a better future for your children and grandchildren.”
The U.S. president also appealed for continuing restraint by the Egyptian military, which he praised for allowing the demonstrations to proceed peacefully.
“We oppose violence and I want to commend the Egyptian military for the professionalism, the patriotism it has shown thus far in allowing peaceful protests while protecting the Egyptian people,” Obama said.
Postmedia News
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