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S2 · 02-26-2005, 10:41 AM

Egypt's Mubarak Orders Election Amendment

Feb 26, 5:56 AM (ET)

By MAAMOUN YOUSSEF

(AP) Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is seen in this June 26, 1995 file photo in Cairo. Mubarak...

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Saturday ordered a revision of the country's election laws and said multiple candidates could run in the nation's presidential elections, a scenario Mubarak hasn't faced since becoming the country's leader in 1981.

In his surprise announcement, Mubarak said the country needed "more freedom and democracy," responding to critics' calls for political reform in Egypt. The possibility of a democratic election comes shortly after the historic elections in Iraq and the Palestinian territories that brought a taste of democracy to a region the United States has urged to reform.

"The election of a president will be through direct, secret balloting, giving the chance for political parties to run for the presidential elections and providing guarantees that allow more than one candidate for the people to choose among them with their own will," Mubarak said in an address broadcast live on Egyptian television.

Mubarak - who has never faced an opponent since becoming president after the 1981 assassination of Anwar Sadat - said his initiative came "out of my full conviction of the need to consolidate efforts for more freedom and democracy."

The audience before him at Menoufia University broke into applause and calls of support, some shouting, "Long live Mubarak, mentor of freedom and democracy!" Others spontaneously recited verses of poetry praising the government.

"It would be the first time in the political history of Egypt that a chance is given to somebody who is capable of shouldering the responsibility to protect the people's achievements and future security to come forward for presidential elections with parliamentary and popular support," he said.

Mubarak has not officially announced his candidacy for a fifth term, though he is widely expected to be nominated by his ruling party.

Several opposition leaders have demanded that Mubarak amend the constitution to let more than one candidate compete for the presidency. In recent meetings between opposition groups and the government, it was agreed that an amendment would be discussed after September's presidential referendum, making Mubarak's announcement even more surprising.

The move also comes amid a dispute between Egypt and the United States over the recent detention of an opposition leader.

Ayman Nour, head of the Al-Ghad Party, was detained Jan. 29 on allegations of forging nearly 2,000 signatures to secure a license for his party last year. He has rejected the accusation, and human rights groups have said his detention was politically motivated.

The prosecutor general has denied that charge.

His detention has been strongly criticized by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Rice canceled a Mideast visit that had been planned for next week, a decision believed to be in protest of Nour's detention.

Hafez Abu Saada, director of the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, praised Mubarak's "unexpected step," which he said reflected local, regional and international pressure.

"It is an important step that gives the Egyptian society a strong push for more freedom and democracy," he said.

MickityMike · 02-26-2005, 03:40 PM

http://www.washingtontimes.com/world...3517-1834r.htm

Quote:

BEIRUT -- Presidents and diplomats piled on the pressure for Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon yesterday, but for the hard-line Ba'athist leaders in Damascus, the most worrisome pressure may be coming from a scruffy tent camp near the Beirut waterfront.

In a land where civil war is endemic but political protest is almost unknown, long-feuding Muslims, Christians and Druze are camping out just blocks from the parliament saying they will not leave until either Syrian troops leave their country or the government falls. [...]

or this:

Quote:

BEIRUT, Feb 23 (AFP) - Leaders of Lebanon's banking, industrial and commercial sectors said they would shut down next Monday to demand the country's pro-Syrian government resign and that a "neutral" one replace it.

The strike would coincide with an expected vote of confidence in parliament, two weeks after the murder of former premier Rafiq Hariri in a bomb blast for which the opposition has pinned blame on the government and its Syrian backers.

"The economic authorities call for the formation of a new and neutral government which has the people's support, and the trust of the international community and Arab countries," the private sector said in a statement carried by the official news agency ANI.

The statement called for a "total shutout in memory of Rafiq Hariri", the father of Lebanon's post-warreconstruction, on February 28, and backed calls for an international investigation of his assassination.

It was signed by Lebanon's association of banks and industrialists as well as the chambers of commerce and industry.

"The economic authorities believe that restoration of the democratic regime is an essential condition to establish confidence in the Lebanese economy," the statement said.[...]

Or this:

Quote:

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - Syria will withdraw troops from mountain and coastal areas in Lebanon in line with a 1989 agreement, Lebanon's defense minister said Thursday amid international pressure following the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Lebanese Defense Minister Abdul-Rahim Murad said the troops will be withdrawn to the eastern Bekaa Valley on the Syrian border, but he gave no timeframe. [...]

And certainly not this:

Quote:

[...]
The leader of this Lebanese intifada is Walid Jumblatt, the patriarch of the Druze Muslim community and, until recently, a man who accommodated Syria's occupation. But something snapped for Jumblatt last year, when the Syrians overruled the Lebanese constitution and forced the reelection of their front man in Lebanon, President Emile Lahoud. The old slogans about Arab nationalism turned to ashes in Jumblatt's mouth, and he and Hariri openly began to defy Damascus.

I dined Monday night with Jumblatt in his mountain fortress in Moukhtara, southeast of Beirut. He moved there for safety last weekend because of worries that he would be the next target of whoever killed Hariri. We sat under a portrait of Jumblatt's father, Kamal, who was assassinated in 1976 after he opposed the initial entry of Syrian troops into Lebanon. With me was Jamil Mroue, a Lebanese Shiite journalist whose own father was assassinated by Arab radicals in the 1960s. It was an evening when the ghosts of the past mingled with hopes for the future.

Jumblatt dresses like an ex-hippie, in jeans and loafers, but he maintains the exquisite manners of a Lebanese aristocrat. Over the years, I've often heard him denouncing the United States and Israel, but these days, in the aftermath of Hariri's death, he's sounding almost like a neoconservative. He says he's determined to defy the Syrians until their troops leave Lebanon and the Lahoud government is replaced.

"It's strange for me to say it, but this process of change has started because of the American invasion of Iraq," explains Jumblatt. "I was cynical about Iraq. But when I saw the Iraqi people voting three weeks ago, 8 million of them, it was the start of a new Arab world." Jumblatt says this spark of democratic revolt is spreading. "The Syrian people, the Egyptian people, all say that something is changing. The Berlin Wall has fallen. We can see it." [...](emphasis mine)

Herb Ninja · 02-26-2005, 06:40 PM

...And then the world became free and democratic.

Not.

Quote:

"The election of a president will be through direct, secret balloting, giving the chance for political parties to run for the presidential elections and providing guarantees that allow more than one candidate for the people to choose among them with their own will," Mubarak said in an address broadcast live on Egyptian television.

Political parties, great! Maybe they can model it off our system and have two possible candidates for president.

If Mubarak is telling the truth, then this is probably a good thing. But if I was a corrupt president whos been in power for 25 years I might make it look like i'm allowing people to run agains't me so that, when I win the election I secretly rigged, it looks as though my being in power is at the consent of the governed. I won't deny being a pessimist - But I think watching Mubarak lose the next election will be good proof that he wasn't lying. If he wins though, i'll be very skeptical that the election wasn't just a sham.

Remember what Stalin said. Its the people who count not cast the votes who decide the elections. Peace, HN-

MickityMike · 02-26-2005, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herb Ninja

Remember what Stalin said. Its the people who count not cast the votes who decide the elections. Peace, HN-

I agree, it's a long road.

If this election does come to pass in Egypt, hopefully they'll allow in some sort of election observers that can certify the election as either "fair" or "unfair."

Stephanie S. · 02-26-2005, 08:10 PM

I've said before, and I'll say again, I will happily say I Was Wrong!!! if by some miracle this war turns out to be worthwhile.
And I will open my mind to pre-emptive strikes against other nations.

If, that is, this war turns out to be a great thing.

For some reason, I just can't rationalize how tens of thousands of dead and dismembered people will ever seem worth it, to me.

peace

Buzzby · 02-26-2005, 08:56 PM

Yay America! We've proven that we can bully part of the middle east into adopting the outward forms of what was once a great democracy. Big deal. And at what price? Maybe they'll get the freedoms the Bush administration has stripped from us.

In my opinion, a democratic government can't be imposed from the outside. It has to come from the hearts of the people who desire to govern themselves. It remains to be seen what the imposition of democracy on Iraq will produce.

Mubarak is a crafty politician. With one opponent he might lose. With a dozen he's sure to win a plurality. After running the country for 24 years he's the best known name in Egypt.

PotShot · 02-26-2005, 09:21 PM

The big question is what will the form of democracy look like. And what do you classify as "freedom and democracy"? It would be unfortunate if a world wide bait and switch occured.

goldberry · 03-01-2005, 12:35 AM

This thread is a good example of how pro-war people would like to attribute any positive events in the mideast to Iraq when in fact there is zero evidence that Iraq has caused any of those events ... Take Iran's pro-reform movement which started around '96, had that exact same movement started last year I bet the neocons would be touting how "Iraq is spreading democracy" ... come on, show me some proof that these events wouldn't have happened anyway.

S2 Mike, It's almost as if you're suggesting that the mideast would have been void of any reform had we not invaded Iraq, but since we have, any reform that's going on must have been caused by Iraq.

If this is NOT what you're saying then tell me how you differentiate the events you think were catalysed by Iraq and the ones you think were not.

I think there's a good reason you picked the title "This has nothing to do with Iraq" because it doesn't, nor can you prove that it does.

03-01-2005, 12:47 AM

Quote:

The audience before him at Menoufia University broke into applause and calls of support, some shouting, "Long live Mubarak, mentor of freedom and democracy!" Others spontaneously recited verses of poetry praising the government.

You know ...when was the last time the Washington Press Corp broke out in spontaneous chorus for G.W. -- I mean that's spirit dude!

Wait... I misread...

These are University students...I get it now

They're STONERZ!!!

"All we are saaaaaaayyyyyyiiiiinnggggg.... Is Give Peace A Chance!"

(Hey... I wouldn't dare suppose giving back Gaza had maybe just a whee bit to do with this decision, mmm, maybe????)

Stephanie S. · 03-01-2005, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mamabudz

(Hey... I wouldn't dare suppose giving back Gaza had maybe just a whee bit to do with this decision, mmm, maybe????)

I dunno, Israel tried to give it back to Egypt and they wouldn't take it! Who the heck would want it?

peace

02-26-2005, 10:41 AM	#1
S2 Just another bonehead Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 1,096 Grams: 562.65 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 11 Thanked 24 Times in 15 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	This has nothing to do with Iraq Egypt's Mubarak Orders Election Amendment Feb 26, 5:56 AM (ET) By MAAMOUN YOUSSEF (AP) Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is seen in this June 26, 1995 file photo in Cairo. Mubarak... CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Saturday ordered a revision of the country's election laws and said multiple candidates could run in the nation's presidential elections, a scenario Mubarak hasn't faced since becoming the country's leader in 1981. In his surprise announcement, Mubarak said the country needed "more freedom and democracy," responding to critics' calls for political reform in Egypt. The possibility of a democratic election comes shortly after the historic elections in Iraq and the Palestinian territories that brought a taste of democracy to a region the United States has urged to reform. "The election of a president will be through direct, secret balloting, giving the chance for political parties to run for the presidential elections and providing guarantees that allow more than one candidate for the people to choose among them with their own will," Mubarak said in an address broadcast live on Egyptian television. Mubarak - who has never faced an opponent since becoming president after the 1981 assassination of Anwar Sadat - said his initiative came "out of my full conviction of the need to consolidate efforts for more freedom and democracy." The audience before him at Menoufia University broke into applause and calls of support, some shouting, "Long live Mubarak, mentor of freedom and democracy!" Others spontaneously recited verses of poetry praising the government. "It would be the first time in the political history of Egypt that a chance is given to somebody who is capable of shouldering the responsibility to protect the people's achievements and future security to come forward for presidential elections with parliamentary and popular support," he said. Mubarak has not officially announced his candidacy for a fifth term, though he is widely expected to be nominated by his ruling party. Several opposition leaders have demanded that Mubarak amend the constitution to let more than one candidate compete for the presidency. In recent meetings between opposition groups and the government, it was agreed that an amendment would be discussed after September's presidential referendum, making Mubarak's announcement even more surprising. The move also comes amid a dispute between Egypt and the United States over the recent detention of an opposition leader. Ayman Nour, head of the Al-Ghad Party, was detained Jan. 29 on allegations of forging nearly 2,000 signatures to secure a license for his party last year. He has rejected the accusation, and human rights groups have said his detention was politically motivated. The prosecutor general has denied that charge. His detention has been strongly criticized by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Rice canceled a Mideast visit that had been planned for next week, a decision believed to be in protest of Nour's detention. Hafez Abu Saada, director of the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, praised Mubarak's "unexpected step," which he said reflected local, regional and international pressure. "It is an important step that gives the Egyptian society a strong push for more freedom and democracy," he said.

02-26-2005, 08:10 PM	#5
Stephanie S. Original Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 1,433 Grams: 2,943.30 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	I've said before, and I'll say again, I will happily say I Was Wrong!!! if by some miracle this war turns out to be worthwhile. And I will open my mind to pre-emptive strikes against other nations. If, that is, this war turns out to be a great thing. For some reason, I just can't rationalize how tens of thousands of dead and dismembered people will ever seem worth it, to me. peace __________________ "See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda." —George W. Bush, Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005 (Listen to audio)

02-26-2005, 08:56 PM	#6
Buzzby Buddhist Curmudgeon Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 14,184 Grams: 42,755.64 Groans: 33 Groaned at 42 Times in 35 Posts Thanks: 486 Thanked 3,538 Times in 1,786 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	Yay America! We've proven that we can bully part of the middle east into adopting the outward forms of what was once a great democracy. Big deal. And at what price? Maybe they'll get the freedoms the Bush administration has stripped from us. In my opinion, a democratic government can't be imposed from the outside. It has to come from the hearts of the people who desire to govern themselves. It remains to be seen what the imposition of democracy on Iraq will produce. Mubarak is a crafty politician. With one opponent he might lose. With a dozen he's sure to win a plurality. After running the country for 24 years he's the best known name in Egypt. __________________ McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time. Do we really want four more years of the same old shit? ~ Buzzby, 08/31/2008 Theocracy Watch

02-26-2005, 09:21 PM	#7
PotShot Sr. Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 925 Grams: 3,206.33 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	The big question is what will the form of democracy look like. And what do you classify as "freedom and democracy"? It would be unfortunate if a world wide bait and switch occured. __________________ Posting Guidelines Carl Sagan Goodness Richard Dawkins Goodness --------------------- THE SINGULARITY IS NEAR.

03-01-2005, 12:35 AM	#8
goldberry Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 894 Grams: 2,582.35 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	This thread is a good example of how pro-war people would like to attribute any positive events in the mideast to Iraq when in fact there is zero evidence that Iraq has caused any of those events ... Take Iran's pro-reform movement which started around '96, had that exact same movement started last year I bet the neocons would be touting how "Iraq is spreading democracy" ... come on, show me some proof that these events wouldn't have happened anyway. S2 Mike, It's almost as if you're suggesting that the mideast would have been void of any reform had we not invaded Iraq, but since we have, any reform that's going on must have been caused by Iraq. If this is NOT what you're saying then tell me how you differentiate the events you think were catalysed by Iraq and the ones you think were not. I think there's a good reason you picked the title "This has nothing to do with Iraq" because it doesn't, nor can you prove that it does. __________________ "Is our children learning?" George W. Bush

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