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| Banner with list of demands |
Thoughts:
Revisionists, counter-revolutionaries and political opportunists of all ilks have wasted no time in bowing down to the coup by accepting it as a legitimate dialogue partner; a military which is still composed of key leaders of the regime. This, in spite of ongoing opposition to military rule in the country by the core member groups of the Jan 25 Coalition and other political forces in the country.
Needless to say, that the actions taken by these actors negotiating with the old regime's military leadership have only served to exacerbate pre-existing differences between moderate reformer and more revolutionary and progressive forces in the loose coalition of groups and individuals which first made the call for Mubarak to resign.
Ideological tensions within the very loosely affiliated and highly diverse forces behind the uprising were present from the start, yet for the moderate actors within the coalition to have capitulated so quickly,claiming Mubarak's removal as their end victory and then immediately entering into negotiations with the same regime forces that the uprising was determined to oust, is indeed much worse than many on the left had expected these forces to go.
Nevertheless, it remains a setback from which the revolutionary movement still fighting this coup/transgression will have to very quickly recover. I have no doubt they will. Even as some have succumbed to cooptation for whatever reasons, political inexperience, self interest, naivety, etc, there have been others radicalized and educated by the recent events; betrayals included. No doubt these Egyptians will continue the fight for true and real democratic and revolutionary change in their nation.
Very Insightful Interview with Samir Amin Click Here
News Updates:
Yesterday morning this was the report received:
Tens of protesters today clashed with the
army in Tahrir Square, and thousands of demonstrators began to flood
the Square again to support their revolution and brothers and sisters.
The High Council of the Armed Forces, so far, had only met one of the
revolution’s demands: the deposing of Mubarak. Well, Suleiman, Shafiq, and
others are still running the government, with no time frame for
elections or any democratic process
put in place. In other words, Suleiman’s
patronizing call for Egyptians,a couple of days ago, to “go back to your
home and your jobs” have mostly been achieved by sending Mubarak
on an extended vacation to Sharm
Al-Sheikh.--
By yesterday night, this is what trusted compañeros in Egypt forwarded to me as an update:
In response to the continued protests the army dissolved the government and scrapped the
constitution. Many protesters were adamant not to leave Tahrir Square until
power was handed over to a civilian government. When the army
insisted in no uncertain terms that it was time to leave the square, they
called for great
numbers in support but didn't get them. So they were
removed by force, some of them being taken into army custody. As soon as
this operation ended strike waves rocked the country and the banks
couldn't open as
planned. The medical sector is also involved. In the light of this, Wael is negotiating
with the army.
Meanwhile in the middle of all of this, a new communique reaffirming and emphasizing the details of the January 25 coalition emerged and has been confirmed to me as authentic by the same sources on the ground I received the update above:
Declaration:
For those who, in the euphoria of celebration, forgot what this revolution was
all about, here is the list of demands from the Revolution Coalition:
The January 25 Revolutionary Youth Communique No. 1:
“We, the peoples of Egypt, the true rulers of its land, destiny, and fortunes, who have retrieved them in full since the outbreak of the January 25 populace, civil, democratic revolution, and the sacrifice of our righteous martyrs, and after the revolution’s success in the deposing of the corrupt regime and its leaders; we announce the continuation of this peaceful revolution until victory and the realization of all our demands in full:
1 – The abolishing of the Emergency [martial law] conditions immediately.
The January 25 Revolutionary Youth Communique No. 1:
“We, the peoples of Egypt, the true rulers of its land, destiny, and fortunes, who have retrieved them in full since the outbreak of the January 25 populace, civil, democratic revolution, and the sacrifice of our righteous martyrs, and after the revolution’s success in the deposing of the corrupt regime and its leaders; we announce the continuation of this peaceful revolution until victory and the realization of all our demands in full:
1 – The abolishing of the Emergency [martial law] conditions immediately.
2 – The immediate release of all political prisoners.
3 – The abolishing of the current constitution including all its amendments.
4 – The abolishing of both arms of the parliament and local governments.
5 – The creation of an interim presidential rule including five members, one military and four civilian, known for their patriotism and accepted by the people, and on the condition that none of them run for the first presidential elections.
6 – The creation of an interim government including capable, independent, and patriotic individuals; and excluding individuals with ties to political parties, to assume command of the nation’s affairs and prepare for fair and free general elections at the end of the interim period which must not exceed nine months; and no member of this interim government can run for the first elections.
7 – The formation of an original constituent assembly to write a new democratic constitution that concurs with the greatest democratic constitutions and international charters for human rights, put for public referendum within three months of the formation of this assembly.
8 – The freedom to form any political party, on civil, democratic, and peaceful foundations, without any obstacle or condition, and [they become legal] by simply announcing [their creation].
9 – The freedom of press [media] and the circulation of information.
10 – The freedom for union organization and the creation of civil institutions.
11 – The abolishing of all military and poll courts, and abolishing all verdicts produced by these courts against civilians.
12 – And finally, we, the peoples of Egypt, call upon Egypt’s righteous, national army, who is the son of this nation, who safeguarded the people’s blood and secured the nation in this great revolution, to declare its full adoption to all of these decisions and people’s demands, and to completely align itself with the people.
The Peoples of the January 25 Revolution.”
The success of the Egyptian revolution must be measured by how many of these demands have been met, in addition to the verdicts issued against Mubarak, Suleiman, Shafiq, and all other ex-government officials and business tycoons, even if they were members of the Egyptian so-called brave Military. All other measures that demand anything less are treasonous to the blood of the martyrs since January 25
3 – The abolishing of the current constitution including all its amendments.
4 – The abolishing of both arms of the parliament and local governments.
5 – The creation of an interim presidential rule including five members, one military and four civilian, known for their patriotism and accepted by the people, and on the condition that none of them run for the first presidential elections.
6 – The creation of an interim government including capable, independent, and patriotic individuals; and excluding individuals with ties to political parties, to assume command of the nation’s affairs and prepare for fair and free general elections at the end of the interim period which must not exceed nine months; and no member of this interim government can run for the first elections.
7 – The formation of an original constituent assembly to write a new democratic constitution that concurs with the greatest democratic constitutions and international charters for human rights, put for public referendum within three months of the formation of this assembly.
8 – The freedom to form any political party, on civil, democratic, and peaceful foundations, without any obstacle or condition, and [they become legal] by simply announcing [their creation].
9 – The freedom of press [media] and the circulation of information.
10 – The freedom for union organization and the creation of civil institutions.
11 – The abolishing of all military and poll courts, and abolishing all verdicts produced by these courts against civilians.
12 – And finally, we, the peoples of Egypt, call upon Egypt’s righteous, national army, who is the son of this nation, who safeguarded the people’s blood and secured the nation in this great revolution, to declare its full adoption to all of these decisions and people’s demands, and to completely align itself with the people.
The Peoples of the January 25 Revolution.”
The success of the Egyptian revolution must be measured by how many of these demands have been met, in addition to the verdicts issued against Mubarak, Suleiman, Shafiq, and all other ex-government officials and business tycoons, even if they were members of the Egyptian so-called brave Military. All other measures that demand anything less are treasonous to the blood of the martyrs since January 25
eloquent & concise!
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