Leading Egyptian opposition figure Mohammed ElBaradei on Friday said that he did not believe that newly resigned Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak should be tried for crimes he committed against the Egyptian people during his 30 year dictatorship.
“We don’t need to worry about retribution at this stage. Mubarak needs to go with dignity. Let’s focus on the future. We need a country at peace with itself,” ElBaradei said in an interview with CNN.
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Comment: well, El Baradei shows his true colors, again. God willing, the Egyptian people will see him for what he is.
Egypt will need an open election process where candidates could be vetted. I don’t mind El Bardai running. I don’t know him, but I never got the impression that either Israel or the US was particularly happy with him. Look for the west to push for ‘Amr Mussa, Arab League secretary and former Mubarak FM.
As for this statement, I wont hold it against him. I think it is crucial for Egypt to get back as much of its stolen assets as possible. But other than that, there is room for forgiveness. This revolution was never really about vengeance or punishment. Just freedom. I know you are a believing Christian so you will appreciate that.
OT, I was thinking back at some historical parallels, and one that struck me was the Philipines in 1986, When Ferdinand Marcos rigged an election against Corazone Aquino. She then led a “people power” movement that overthrew Marcos. There was no internet back then, and I certainly wasn’t as aware as I am now, but I recall noticing some details.
1) The Reagan admin clearly wanted Marcos to win.
2) When the election was clearly rigged, the Reaganites played it down, saying there was “cheating on both sides.”
3) When the people’s movement grew stronger and as units in the army started defecting from Marcos to the other side, and it was clear Marcos could not survive, the US just dropped him like a bad habit.
4) After which, they pretended like they were with the people all along.
5) All the punditry could talk about was the fate of Clark AFB and Subic bay. The interests of the Philippines was tertiary at best.
I couldn’t help but notice the parallels. Of Course, the Philippines is very much part of the empire now, so I hope the parallels end there.