Posts mit dem Label Egypt werden angezeigt. Alle Posts anzeigen
Posts mit dem Label Egypt werden angezeigt. Alle Posts anzeigen

Freitag, 4. Februar 2011

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Remarks on the Situation in Egypt



On Monday (January 31), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the situation in Egypt during a joint press conference with Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Angela Merkel. In his remarks, PM Netanyahu said, "We all hope that the situation will be resolved peacefully, that stability will be restored and that the peace will be preserved."
Translated excerpts of the press conference are below; a full transcript of the conference is available on the: 
Prime Minister's website.

PM Netanyahu: I cannot refer to everything that is written in the papers, but I would like to tell you what our policy is concerning Egypt. Over 30 years ago, a huge change occurred in the region. The largest Arab country, that had led the wars against Israel, this country – Egypt – made peace with Israel, and this created a new situation in the area, new for us and for Egypt itself.
Therefore, our objective has been and remains to preserve the peace. It is obvious that this is the top priority, I think not only for us, but for our friend Germany, certainly for our friend the USA, for all countries. All countries want peace to continue. Nobody wants to go back to those difficult times, and we are all following the events with concern and apprehension, hoping that peace will last.

Peace and stability are important.

They are intertwined.

We know that. That is why this is our policy. Our policy is to preserve the peace as much as we can. Over the years, Egypt has upheld the peace agreement and did not violate it. It did not violate it in the last few days either.

Question: This question is for both leaders. What is the lesson, in your opinion, that the leaders of the countries in the region should learn from the fact that the USA, and in its heel other European countries, abandoned Mubarak a moment after the tumult began? What message do you think the American policy sends to Jordan and other non-democratic countries?

And a question for you, Mr. Prime Minister: have you had a chance to speak with our ambassador to Egypt to get a report on what is going on?

PM Netanyahu: I spoke repeatedly over the past few days with the Foreign Minister and the Minister of Defense and with all our intelligence services, without exception. The Foreign Minister is briefing me on everything that comes from our embassy in Cairo, and I assure you that I brief him on everything that comes from the intelligence services.

Our problem is not whether we are updated. We have two problems. One is that we are concerned about our citizens there, and I think we have been handling this responsibly. Without delivering any messages, we must take the necessary steps, in full coordination between the Israeli government agencies.

The second problem is that the situation is very dynamic. We all know what we would like to see happening. I do not think that there are great differences here in the democratic world. Our most serious concern is that in a situation of rapid changes, and in the absence of the foundations of modern democracy, what could emerge, and has already emerged in a number of countries, including Iran, is repressive radical Islamic regimes that suppress human rights, allow no freedoms and no rights and also pose a terrible threat to peace and stability and to the interests of all civilized people.

This is our concern. It is my concern. I think that many others share this concern. I assure you that I am constantly receiving reports, whenever necessary, given the circumstances and what's at stake.

Question: Prime Minister, next week you will be in Munich and meet with the Quartet. 

Can the Israeli government offer anything new to the Palestinians?

PM Netanyahu: There is an old Hebrew saying "the wise man will remain silent at that time".

I don’t know how to translate it into German.

Well, I have no intention of addressing possible developments in Egypt beyond what I said.

We hope that all the problems will be resolved in the best way.

I did express a concern which I believe is shared by all the leaders

I spoke to, and I spoke to many of them over the last few days.

We all hope that the situation will be resolved peacefully, that stability will be restored and that the peace will be preserved.

I think I can also say that the instability and unrest do not stem from fundamentalist Islamic elements.

It certainly is not the case in Tunisia and I don’t think it is the case in Egypt.

However, in a situation of chaos, an organized Islamic force can take over.

It happened. It happened in Iran and in other places when an organized force took over in times of change.

The Foreign Minister reminded me yesterday that it also happened in the Bolshevik Revolution.

There was a democratic regime, and Alexander Kerensky was simply ousted by the organized force that took over.

All the leaders I have spoken to, without exception, do not want this to be the outcome.

There are many other things we share, but right now this is one of the most important things that unite all those who strive for stability, progress and peace in this region and beyond.
Eingestellt von um Keine Kommentare:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Foreign Secretary William Hague to Situation in Egypt and the impact on the region

Foreign Secretary, William Hague

03 February 2011
In his video blog this week, Foreign Secretary William Hague speaks about the situation in Egypt and its impact on the region and the Middle East Peace Process.
Foreign Secretary, William Hague
Foreign Secretary said he deeply deplored the violence in Egypt and had called many times on the authorities to avoid repression.

He called on the Egyptian government to address the grievances of the Egyptian people and to begin an orderly transition to free and fair elections, adding that the UK is “disappointed that the new cabinet didn’t signal sufficient change.”

The Foreign Secretary also talks about recent protests in Tunisia and his recent visit to Syria, where he spoke with Syrian President Assad on the issues confronting the region.

On the stalled Middle East Peace Process the Foreign Secretary said the focus was on getting the peace process going again.

“We continue our work to prevent conflict and build peace in the Middle East, advocating human rights, freedom and democracy.”



Further information


Search the news archive


Eingestellt von um Keine Kommentare:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Mittwoch, 2. Februar 2011

Remarks by the US-President Obama on the Situation in Egypt | The White House




Grand Foyer
6:44 P.M. EST

THE US-PRESIDENT OBAMA: 

Good evening, everybody. 

Over the past few days, the American people have watched the situation unfolding in Egypt. 

We’ve seen enormous demonstrations by the Egyptian people. 

We’ve borne witness to the beginning of a new chapter in the history of a great country, and a long-time partner of the United States
.
And my administration has been in close contact with our Egyptian counterparts and a broad range of the Egyptian people, as well as others across the region and across the globe. And throughout this period, we’ve stood for a set of core principles.

First, we oppose violence. 

And I want to commend the Egyptian military for the professionalism and patriotism that it has shown thus far in allowing peaceful protests while protecting the Egyptian people. 

We’ve seen tanks covered with banners, and soldiers and protesters embracing in the streets. And going forward, I urge the military to continue its efforts to help ensure that this time of change is peaceful.

Second, we stand for universal values, including the rights of the Egyptian people to freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, and the freedom to access information.

Once more, we’ve seen the incredible potential for technology to empower citizens and the dignity of those who stand up for a better future. And going forward, the United States will continue to stand up for democracy and the universal rights that all human beings deserve, in Egypt and around the world.

Third, we have spoken out on behalf of the need for change. 

After his speech tonight, I spoke directly to President Mubarak. 

He recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable and that a change must take place. 

Indeed, all of us who are privileged to serve in positions of political power do so at the will of our people. 

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.

Now, it is not the role of any other country to determine Egypt’s leaders. 

Only the Egyptian people can do that. 

What is clear -- and what I indicated tonight to President Mubarak -- is my belief that an orderly transition must be meaningful, it must be peaceful, and it must begin now.

Furthermore, the process must include a broad spectrum of Egyptian voices and opposition parties. I

t should lead to elections that are free and fair. 

And it should result in a government that’s not only grounded in democratic principles, but is also responsive to the aspirations of the Egyptian people.

Throughout this process, the United States will continue to extend the hand of partnership and friendship to Egypt. 

And we stand ready to provide any assistance that is necessary to help the Egyptian people as they manage the aftermath of these protests.

Over 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, and to all those who believe in the inevitability of human freedom.

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 your grandchildren. 

And I say that as someone who is committed to a partnership between the United States and Egypt.

There will be difficult days ahead.

Many questions about Egypt’s future remain unanswered.

But I am confident that the people of Egypt will find those answers. 

That truth can be seen in the sense of community in the streets. 

It can be seen in the mothers and fathers embracing soldiers. 

And it can be seen in the Egyptians who linked arms to protect the national museum -- a new generation protecting the treasures of antiquity; a human chain connecting a great and ancient civilization to the promise of a new day.

Thank you very much.

END
 
6:49 P.M. EST
Eingestellt von um Keine Kommentare:
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Samstag, 29. Januar 2011

Remarks by the US- President Obama on the Situation in Egypt | The White House




6:33 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Good evening, everybody. My administration has been closely monitoring the situation in Egypt, and I know that we will be learning more tomorrow when day breaks. As the situation continues to unfold, our first concern is preventing injury or loss of life. So I want to be very clear in calling upon the Egyptian authorities to refrain from any violence against peaceful protestors.
The people of Egypt have rights that are universal. That includes the right to peaceful assembly and association, the right to free speech, and the ability to determine their own destiny. These are human rights.

And the United States will stand up for them everywhere.

I also call upon the Egyptian government to reverse the actions that they’ve taken to interfere with access to the Internet, to cell phone service and to social networks that do so much to connect people in the 21st century.

At the same time, those protesting in the streets have a responsibility to express themselves peacefully. Violence and destruction will not lead to the reforms that they seek.

Now, going forward, this moment of volatility has to be turned into a moment of promise. The United States has a close partnership with Egypt and we've cooperated on many issues, including working together to advance a more peaceful region. But we've also been clear that there must be reform -- political, social, and economic reforms that meet the aspirations of the Egyptian people.

In the absence of these reforms, grievances have built up over time. When President Mubarak addressed the Egyptian people tonight, he pledged a better democracy and greater economic opportunity. I just spoke to him after his speech and I told him he has a responsibility to give meaning to those words, to take concrete steps and actions that deliver on that promise.

Violence will not address the grievances of the Egyptian people. And suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. What’s needed right now are concrete steps that advance the rights of the Egyptian people: a meaningful dialogue between the government and its citizens, and a path of political change that leads to a future of greater freedom and greater opportunity and justice for the Egyptian people.

Now, ultimately the future of Egypt will be determined by the Egyptian people. And I believe that the Egyptian people want the same things that we all want -- a better life for ourselves and our children, and a government that is fair and just and responsive. Put simply, the Egyptian people want a future that befits the heirs to a great and ancient civilization.

The United States always will be a partner in pursuit of that future. And we are committed to working with the Egyptian government and the Egyptian people -- all quarters -- to achieve it.

Around the world governments have an obligation to respond to their citizens. That's true here in the United States; that's true in Asia; it is true in Europe; it is true in Africa; and it’s certainly true in the Arab world, where a new generation of citizens has the right to be heard.

When I was in Cairo, shortly after I was elected President, I said that all governments must maintain power through consent, not coercion. That is the single standard by which the people of Egypt will achieve the future they deserve.

Surely there will be difficult days to come. But the United States will continue to stand up for the rights of the Egyptian people and work with their government in pursuit of a future that is more just, more free, and more hopeful.

Thank you very much.
END 6:38 P.M. EST

Stay Connected

Eingestellt von um Keine Kommentare:
Labels: , , , , ,
Abonnieren Posts (Atom)