←
→

Breaking News: Forthcoming Mubarak Statement

Posted: February 1, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Diplomacy Nightmares, Egypt, Foreign Affairs, Live | Tags: , , , , , |47 Comments

This is a developing post so it will change frequently.

Recent Tweet from
AJEnglish Al Jazeera English

Hosni Mubarak expected to speak to soon. Tune in to #AlJazeera to watch the coverage live: http://aje.me/ajelive#mubarak#tahrir#egypt

Al Jazeera continues to stream in English live.

A statement is also expected from the White House.
According to Diplomatic Sources via CNN:  Egypt crisis: Mubarak won’t run again; report says Obama pushed for decision

Update 9:38 p.m. Cairo, 2:38 p.m. ET] Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has decided not to seek re-election, according to a senior U.S. official involved in the Obama administration’s deliberations on Egypt. The official cited “reliable contacts in Cairo” for the news. The New York Times reported Obama pushed Mubarak into the decision via a message delivered by former Ambassador Frank Wisner, who paid a personal visit to Mubarak on Tuesday.

The LA Times is reporting that US Envoy Frank Wisner was sent to tell Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to step aside.

Frank Wisner, a former ambassador to Egypt who has good relations with the Mubarak regime, traveled to Cairo at President Obama’s behest to talk to the Egyptian leader about the country’s future.

Wisner delivered a direct message that Mubarak should not be part of the “transition” that the U.S. had called for, according to Middle East experts who spoke on condition of anonymity.

One expert on the region said that in his regular conversations with the Obama administration about the unrest in Egypt, he learned that Wisner’s message to Mubarak was that “he was not going to be president in the future. And this message was plainly rebuffed.”

Obama’s Message to Mubarak: Neither You Nor Your Son Should Be On the Ballot This Fall

U.S. officials tells ABC News that on Saturday, President Obama made the final authorization to send former Ambassador to Egypt Frank Wisner to deliver – gently – the message to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that neither he nor his son should run for the presidency this September.

Wisner, a well-regarded Egypt hand with a longtime relationship with Mubarak, was “in the orbit,” an official says, “because he’s been talked about as a potential Holbrooke replacement” to be a Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The White House gave Wisner his talking points, the official said, and Wisner flew to Cairo Sunday to tell Mubarak that he should not run for re-election — and that his son Gamal should not run either.

47 Comments on “Breaking News: Forthcoming Mubarak Statement”

  1. Minkoff Minx says:
    February 1, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    Obama Urges Mubarak Not to Run Again – NYTimes.com

    • Wonk the Vote says:
      February 1, 2011 at 2:16 pm

      Finally! Good for Obama.

    • Wonk the Vote says:
      February 1, 2011 at 2:26 pm

      Wait… this doesn’t sound on the up and up… “The New York Times reported Obama pushed Mubarak into the decision via a message delivered by former Ambassador Frank Wisner, who paid a personal visit to Mubarak on Tuesday.”

      They announce Mubarak is making the decision at or around the same time Obama urges him? Bit fishy. Seems they’re spinning what’s really happening behind the scenes.

      • Wonk the Vote says:
        February 1, 2011 at 2:33 pm

        On AJ English good reporting —

        They’re pointing out that the moment news came out that Mubarak is not going to seek re-election, the Obama Admin goes to the NYT and tries to take credit for it! Ha! And, whereas Gibbs was saying “we’re not saying anything privately that we’re not saying publicly” So were they lying before or Obama just trying to take credit after the fact.

      • bostonboomer says:
        February 1, 2011 at 2:34 pm

        So what if Mubarack doesn’t run in Sept. That gives them plenty of time to put Suleiman in charge.

      • Wonk the Vote says:
        February 1, 2011 at 2:39 pm

        BB, if Obama had actually urged this on his own and put public pressure on Mubarak, then that might be part of a process of getting Mubarak out and I would have had some actual respect for O in that case.

        What this really is instead is Obama showing how much he lacks any sort of political seasoning or gravitas. It’s immature. Something I’d expect of Sarah Palin.

  2. bostonboomer says:
    February 1, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    Al Jazeera live feed has gone silent. Is anyone else getting it?

  3. TheRock says:
    February 1, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    I doubt very highly that the ‘urging’ from the WH was the deciding factor as to whether Mubarak would or would not run again.

    BTW – I’m on the Hillary 2012 bandwagon, and I will STAY there until Nov. 2012 when I am voting for her or whoever else isn’t Obumbles.

    Asshat.

    Hillary 2012

    • dakinikat says:
      February 1, 2011 at 2:34 pm

      This reminds me of the Nixon Death Watches we had in high school during Watergate. Yes, I’m old …

    • Wonk the Vote says:
      February 1, 2011 at 2:35 pm

      AJ English is pointing out that Obama trying to take credit after the fact–WH went to the NYT after the news already got out that Mubarak isn’t seeking re-election.

      • bostonboomer says:
        February 1, 2011 at 2:36 pm

        Typical Obama….

      • TheRock says:
        February 1, 2011 at 2:46 pm

        Asshat.

        Hillary 2012

      • Wonk the Vote says:
        February 1, 2011 at 2:51 pm

        He really is an asshat! Didn’t anyone in the WH think people would catch on and figure O was just piggybacking for credit? Or they just figured people’s attention spans are too short… but that’s just clueless and tonedeaf on top of asshat. Everyone is glued to this story.

      • dakinikat says:
        February 1, 2011 at 2:57 pm

        Yup, they weren’t being subtle about that at all and called it lying even. Interesting since so many people are watching Al Jazeera these days. CNN’s coverage is terrible for the most part. Only Ben W and Nick R know what they’re doing.

  4. Laurie says:
    February 1, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    Further Obama- Mubarak souvenirs-

    Egyptian newspaper ‘photoshops’ Obama picture to show THEIR president leading the way at White House peace talks

    from the Daily Mail
    http://tinyurl.com/5v4mmtn

  5. bostonboomer says:
    February 1, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    The Guardian: Egyptian regime begins to reveal its strategy

    After a week spent caught in the headlights, the Egyptian regime is showing signs of regaining its nerve and assembling a strategy to extricate itself from its perilous predicament. Whether the strategy can work is another matter entirely.

    The survival plan centres on Omar Suleiman, who is head of intelligence, President Hosni Mubarak’s close confidant, and the newly installed vice-president. Right now Suleiman is the most powerful man in Egypt, backed by the military (from which he hails), the security apparatus and a frightened ruling elite hoping to salvage something from the wreckage.

    Suleiman is, in effect, heading a junta of former or acting military officers. Mubarak has been reduced to the role of figurehead, sheltering behind this clique. But they will not sacrifice him if they can avoid it, analysts suggest.

    There will be no ignominious flight to Saudi Arabia, like that of Tunisia’s deposed president, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. Mubarak’s pride won’t allow it; the military’s pride won’t allow it.

    They probably now accept that the old man has to go, sooner rather than later. But they seem determined that when his departure comes, it will be dignified, and at a time of their collective choosing. As they see it, the honour of the nation demands no less.

    The army’s pledge not to use violence against peaceful protesters was a canny political move with Suleiman’s fingerprints all over it. If the armed forces stick to that vow, it could help avoid the escalating confrontations with demonstrators that, in other countries, have turned unrest into fully fledged revolution. The renunciation of force will also play well in the White House and the US media. It meets one of the key concerns voiced by Barack Obama.

    • bostonboomer says:
      February 1, 2011 at 2:58 pm

      More:

      What the army spokesman meant when he said the military recognised the “legitimacy” of the protesters’ demands is open to interpretation, no doubt deliberately. It cannot be assumed this meant Suleiman and the army agree that Mubarak must resign. More probably, it was their way of appearing reasonable and open to negotiation.

      Part of Suleiman’s plan is immediate talks with the opposition, however defined. Again, this posture will reduce western pressure on the regime.

      The opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei threw a spanner in the works today, insisting Mubarak must leave Egypt before any talks could start. “There can be dialogue but it has to come after the demands of the people are met and the first of those is that President Mubarak leaves,” he said. The Muslim Brotherhood took a similar position.

    • B Kilpatrick says:
      February 1, 2011 at 2:59 pm

      The military’s pride, or the pride of the officers? Egypt has a slave army. They’re probably unlikely to fall for replacing Stalin with Molotov.

    • TheRock says:
      February 1, 2011 at 3:00 pm

      Be wary of the ‘solutions’ that the leader of the internal intelligence service comes up with. One of my co-workers is from Egypt (in fact, he fought in the 6-day war. He HATES Mirages..), and like my home, he was saying that we should expect a number of people to disappear. This is a very trying time for the Egyptian people……

      Hillary 2012

      • B Kilpatrick says:
        February 1, 2011 at 3:02 pm

        That’s why the protesters CAN’T quit until Mubarak and the turds who work under him are gone. He’s forced their hand by disappearing lots of people.

        Personally, I hope they guillotine him on live TV!

  6. B Kilpatrick says:
    February 1, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    This is ole Moobie’s Egon Krenz moment. Though he is trying to bargain, it doesn’t matter because he has become irrelevant and doesn’t fully realize it.

  7. dakinikat says:
    February 1, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    Mubarak is speaking now. He says his top responsibility is to restore balance and safety and ensure a safe transition to some one who will be elected in upcoming elections

    • dakinikat says:
      February 1, 2011 at 3:04 pm

      He’s asking for constitutional amendment changes on the President’s role.

      • B Kilpatrick says:
        February 1, 2011 at 4:36 pm

        Something like “blah blah blah need to loot you for more money for Gamal’s coke habit blah blah blah pull out your fingernails blah blah blah shut up or we shoot you blah blah blah”?

  8. dakinikat says:
    February 1, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    JohnKingCNN John King
    Mubarak calls for speeding up elxns but says plans to stay on until then. #egypt #cnn

  9. dakinikat says:
    February 1, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    BBCWorld BBC Global News
    Egypt’s President Mubarak tells the nation he does not intend to stand at next election

  10. Laurie says:
    February 1, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    This was all over here this morning

    THE panic-stricken family of President Mubarak has reportedly fled Egypt for the luxurious refuge of their £8.5million London townhouse.

    The leader’s son Gamal, 47, is said to have spearheaded the move, flying to Britain on a private jet with his own family and NINETY-SEVEN pieces of luggage.

    plus the 30 billion euros Mubarak amassed as his own private fortune….

    http://tinyurl.com/6aju5fj

    • Laurie says:
      February 1, 2011 at 3:26 pm

      Those 30 billion euros have already been transferred to London BTW according to Italian tv , meanwhile a million protesters are parading before empty shops….

  11. dakinikat says:
    February 1, 2011 at 3:08 pm

    He’s talking that Egypt is his homeland and saying how he defended it in the past and that he “will die on its “soul.

    His says the homeland will live on.

  12. dakinikat says:
    February 1, 2011 at 3:09 pm

    So, he’s said he will not run in september and will hand over the presidency in a manner that promotes peace and stability.

    Reaction on the street is a lot of shouting.

  13. dakinikat says:
    February 1, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    The people in the square watched this in huge screens. They don’t look pleased and heckled through out. His speech played up the violence on the streets and asking that he be allowed to set up a peaceful transition. Crowd doesn’t look like its buying that.

    He was trying to put himself into a senior statesmen position (ala NIXON) and acting like he’s always looked out for the ultimate good of Egypt. Emphasizing he just wants a stable transition.

    Big Question: Would people trust election results with this man in office?

    This speech was full of what he wants to make of history and his legacy. He doesn’t want to go out like an ousted dictator.

  14. Wonk the Vote says:
    February 1, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    The crowd response to Mubarak’s speech is resounding: LEAVE, LEAVE, LEAVE!

    Nonstop!

    It’s incredible to watch.

  15. Inky says:
    February 1, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Srew him! What an awful speech. Here’s what As’ad at the Angray Arab new network has to say about his speech:

    He has just given his speech. He is bizarrely defiant. Says that he won’t seek another term, as if this was the issue. He hit hard against the protesters and even addressed the “peasants and workers of Egypt” (like when Trotsky gave his first speech in New York City and addressed the crowd in the Bronx as “workers and peasants of the Bronx”). He is so weird: he talks like he is still in control and talks about a process that will last for months. The man is going to leave but with Egypt in flames behind them. The situation only got more tense and more potentially explosive. But I will say this: this defiance does not come out of nowhere. I can’t believe that this is the same leader who is rejected by his own people before TV cameras. He even reminded us of his military role: yes brag of the defeats of 1967 and 1973. But I speculate this: Israel so freaked out, and it was so clear and blatant. They realized that peace with Egypt won’t survive. So the US scrambled: sent an envoy to Cairo: realized that there is no US puppet to lead the country so the scenario of defiance was adopted. His tone and stance of defiance is matched by the rhetoric of the Obama administration which is clear in its avoidance of the issues of democracy in Egypt. And don’t forget that many racists lead the US policy making in the Middle East (people like Feltman at State and Shapiro at NSC) and they concur with Kaplan’s racist dictum about the Arabs and democracy. US is digging itself in a bigger hole, as we speak. Aljazeera is now silent: in the sense it is showing the protesters at Tahriri Square and they are in a state of rage that is even scary from my living room. The man is asking for trouble: they will physically push him out if he does not leave. Israel wants him to fight to the last Egyptian. But that won’t work.

    http://angryarab.blogspot.com/

    I deeply fear for the Eguptian people in the days ahead.

    • Inky says:
      February 1, 2011 at 3:21 pm

      Sorry. That’s “Angry Arab News Network”–but you knew that.

    • Inky says:
      February 1, 2011 at 3:31 pm

      People are now chanting that they will gather at the Presidential Palace on Friday. “Not enough, not enough!” is also being chanted.

  16. Laurie says:
    February 1, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    This is a beautiful video that was on a news program here this morning-it’s sung in Italian (one of the WW2 resistance songs) and is about Iran, but it shows what is sweeping through a number of Arab States right now.

  17. Wonk the Vote says:
    February 1, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    RT @asa_wire: People on twitter are pointing out Ben Ali said exactly the same thing in his *last* speech. #Egypt #Jan25 #Sidibouzid

  18. Wonk the Vote says:
    February 1, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    DaniilKarp Great show of chutzpah from Obama Admin and Sec. Clinton in asking Mubarak to step down. #NotAMomentTooSoon #Jan25

    Lol

  19. Wonk the Vote says:
    February 1, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    Oh this is wonderfully put:

    RT @scottmkraft: good news: #mubarak announces he won’t run for re-election. bad news: it’s not like he ever ran to begin with.

  20. dakinikat says:
    February 1, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    SultanAlQassemi Sultan Al Qassemi
    The ONLY good news of the day: Egypt Former Interior Minister Habib Al Adly to be referred to military prosecutor http://reut.rs/gXUnMA

←
→