The White House is working to negotiate a peaceful and immediate exit for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who under one scenario would be replaced by a caretaker military government before potentially bloody demonstrations take place in Cairo on Friday, according to administration officials.
Obama aides pushed back against, but didn’t deny, a New York Times story late Thursday that reported Obama and his advisers were hoping to convince newly appointed Vice President Omar Suleiman and the Egyptian military to lead a temporary government until new national elections could be called to include all opposition groups, including the banned Muslim Brotherhood.
The President has said that now is the time to begin a peaceful, orderly and meaningful transition, with credible, inclusive negotiations. We have discussed with the Egyptians a variety of different ways to move that process forward, but all of those decisions must be made by the Egyptian people,” said Tommy Vietor, a spokesman for the National Security Council.
But a senior administration official, speaking in condition of anonymity, emphasized that a range of possibilities was under consideration.
“It’s simply wrong to report that there’s a single U.S. plan that’s being negotiated with the Egyptians,” the official said.
Those comments echo remarks made Thursday by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden, who spoke on the phone to Suleiman.
In his call, Biden “urged that credible, inclusive negotiations begin immediately in order for Egypt to transition to a democratic government that addresses the aspirations of the Egyptian people. He stressed that the Egyptian government is responsible for ensuring that peaceful demonstrations don’t lead to violence and intimidation and for allowing journalists and human rights advocates to conduct their important work, including immediately releasing those who have been detained,” according to a readout of the conversation provided by the White House.
While Biden was pressing Suleiman, there were reports that other Obama administration officials were prevailing on Mubarak’s friends in the region to pressure him to step down before the chaos that has gripped Cairo and other big cities becomes more violent. The White House and State Department fear a repeat of the violence on Friday when anti-government protesters plan a massive “Day of Departure” protest after Friday mosque services in Cairo.
A defiant Mubarak told ABC News late Thursday that he has no intention of stepping down, citing the “chaos” that would ensue in his absence. But The Times reported that American officials are continuing talks about a plan in which, Suleiman, backed by Sami Enan, chief of the Egyptian armed forces, and Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi, the Defense Minister, would begin a process of constitutional reform “immediately” after Mubarak leaves office.
Earlier this week POLITICO reported that senior Egyptian military officials are preparing for the transition from Mubarak’s 30-year rule and opened discussions with the opposition, citing a veteran Middle East analyst who spoke with Egypt’s vice president.
“Omar Suleiman and Tantawi think that the critical thing for the future of Egypt is that there be no confrontation between the military and the people,” Said veteran Middle East analyst Stephen Cohen, who has been in contact with Suleiman. “Their thinking is, if there is a split between the popular will and the military, the whole state of Egypt no longer has its basis of legitimacy.”
White House officials have repeatedly emphasized that Pentagon officials have been in continuous contact with their Egyptian counterparts “at all levels” to collect intelligence and prevent a violent clash.
Obama, who has tried to stake out a middle ground between backing the protesters outright and easing out a longtime U.S. ally, no longer thinks Mubarak can preside over the country’s transition to democracy, aides say. A rampage by pro-Mubarak thugs who killed at least three and injured hundreds have soured Obama completely – and spurred U.S. officials to seek a quick deal.
A crackdown on media outlets, which included the beating and detention of at least two dozen western journalists, prompted outrage from a range of U.S. officials, including Clinton.
“We condemn in the strongest terms attacks on reporters covering the ongoing situation in Egypt. This is a violation of international norms that guarantee freedom of the press,” said the secretary of state.
The pressure on Mubarak is also rising on the Hill. Late Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) threw his support behind a bipartisan resolution calling for a military caretaker government of the kind being proposed by the White House.
“I condemn the recent violence and will stand with the Egyptian people as they demand the opportunities and rights that all citizens deserve,” Reid said in a statement. “The Egyptian people have sent a clear message that it is time for change. The Senate heard that message and we will continue support the people of Egypt as they determine their future.”
Laura Rozen contributed to this story.
Źródło: www.politico.com 2nd Feb 2011