First American Response

President Obama comments on the crisis in Egypt (Late Friday Evening)

  

             Over an hour after Egyptian president Mubarak addressed his nation, President Obama delivered a response from the White House.  He started by saying that his first concern was to prevent injury and the loss of life in Egypt.  He called on Egyptian authorities to refrain from using violence on peaceful demonstrators, and also that the Egyptian people possessed the universal rights of assembly, free speech, and to determine their own government.  

 Next, president Obama called on Mubarak to restore internet and cell phone service, which had been disrupted on the government’s order.  He told the protesters that they must demonstrate peacefully.

Thirdly, the president said that the Egyptians must use this as a moment of promise.  He said that, yes, Egypt was an important U.S. ally, but that the United States has long told them that they needed reforms.

           

The president said that he had spoken with Mubarak and had told him that he needed to “give meaning” to his promises and that violence will not help with his people.  He told Mubarak that there needed to be a dialogue between the parties and also political change resulting in greater liberty. 

“The Future of Egypt is determined by her people,” the president said, going on to say that the U.S. was committed to working with both the government and the Egyptian people.  “Around the world, governments have the responsibility to respond to the will of their people… all governments must maintain power through consent, not coercion.”