Robert Springborg, in a piece for Foreign Policy, argues that any chance of democracy taking hold in Egypt is dead. The “pro-Mubarak forces” being described by the media are actually carefully orchestrated “goon squads” sent by the regime while the army stands by idly. He further argues that the protests have actually solidified the army’s hold on power and virtually guarantees the ascension of another military officer to power. Springborg further claims that the Mubarak regime carefully orchestrated the image of the army as a stabilizing force protecting protesters against the police during earlier stages of protests. He arrives at the conclusion that Mubarak has outsmarted the opposition and the Obama administration and that the regime will continue on. The opposition will now become more radicalized and Islamist in nature meaning that true democracy in Egypt may be lost forever.
U.S. Press Secretary Robert Gibbsheld a press conference on Wednesday in reaction to the violence in Cairo. Gibbs condemned the violence and said that if the government was instigating such acts against anti-government protesters that it should stop immediately. He also reiterated the Obama administration’s position that the time for transition, “has come and the time is now.” He described President Barack Obama’s conversation with Mubarak as “direct, frank, and candid” and also reiterated that the administration was reviewing the actions of the Egyptian government in reassessing military aid to the country.
Reports from Al-Jazeera and Twitter updates say that pro-Mubarak forces are repeatedly trying to force their way through anti-government protesters outside the Egyptian Museum. Lara Setrakian from ABC News is reporting that molotov cocktails are being thrown from atop buildings onto protesters in the square. Evan Hill, an Al-Jazeera reporter, tweeting from Tahrir Square, says that anti-government protesters continue to rebuff the advances of pro-Mubarak forces outside the museum using metal shields.
Egypt’s official opposition parties said on Wednesday that they were ready to negotiate with the regime in light of Hosni Mubarak’s speech last night. The parties involved are the Wafd, Taggamu, and Nasserist parties. A joint statement from the three parties stated that they are entering negotiations with the government to provide safety, security, and stability of the nation and its people. They also said they would withdraw from negotiations if the protesters in Tahrir Square were harmed.
The Muslim Brotherhood, the National Association for Change, and other protests groups plan on sticking to their refusal to negotiate until Mubarak steps down. Some independent writers and businessmen have called for Mubarak to delegate all of his authority to his new Vice-President Omar Suleiman and for Mubarak to serve as a “ceremonial” leader during a transition. They also called for the lifting of the emergency law.
Al-Jazeera is reporting that pro-Mubarak forces are clashing with anti-government protesters at the northern entrance to Tahrir Square tonight and trying to force their way into the square.
According to Reporters Without Borders, several journalists were attacked today by pro-Mubarak demonstrators in Cairo. Attacks took place against reporters from the BBC, CNN, ABC News, Al-Jazeera, and Al-Arabiya. Some of the reporters attacked include Anderson Cooper of CNN and Laura Sertrakian of ABC News. The International Press Institute has condemned the violence against journalists and reports that the headquarters of Egyptian newspaper AlMasry AlYoum was also attacked today. Journalists have also been reported missing, some of whom appear to have been dragged away by “unidentified individuals.” David Goodman, of the New York Times, writes that these attacks, “appeared to represent the most coordinated and widespread effort to stop international reporters from doing their jobs.” U.S. State Department Spokesman PJ Crowley expressed concern via Twitter about attacks on the press, stating that Egyptian civil society wants to implement freedom of the press in the country.
Al Jazeera reports, that the Egyptian Health Ministry is stating 1 person has been killed and over 400 have been injured in today’s violence in Cairo. Many believe that these numbers will continue to rise as more information is gathered.
Update: Al-Masry Al-Youm reports that a field doctor has told them that there were over 1000 individuals injured today.
Amidst clashes in Cairo today, reports from Al-Jazeera suggested that pro-government forces initiating clashes with anti-government protesters were “thugs” sent in my Mubarak. Jonathan Tobin, in a piece for Commentary, asks the question of why Hosni Mubarak would wait so long to “unleash” his backers and why would he do it after giving a speech calling to avoid violence and conceding the demand to not seek another presidential term? Tobin argues that contrary to popular belief, Egypt is not ruled by a small elite, but rather, the ranks of the ruling NDP party and those who “benefit from the ruling party’s largess,” comprise a considerable number of Egyptians. Despite the possibility that Mubarak is pulling the strings himself, it’s possible that the “rank and file” of the party and its supporters are acting on their own out of panic.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry, released a statement on Wednesday rejecting calls from Western governments for an immediate transition of power. The statement said the aim of the calls from “foreign parties” has been to “incite the internal situation in Egypt.”
Press Secretary Robert Gibbsreleased a statement on Wednesday stating, “the United States deplores and condemns the violence in Egypt.” He also expressed that the US is “deeply concerned” with the events that took place in Tahrir Square today. Al Jazeera spoke with its Washington correspondent who reported that it remains unclear what the Obama Administration will do next, but proposed that President Obama could decide to withold military aid if the Egyptian military does not work to prevent violence on the streets of Cairo.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moonsaid he was “deeply concerned” by the violence and urged restraint from all sides and that the U.N. has been warning about the need for change in the Arab world for a decade. He condemned attacks on peaceful protesters as unacceptable and reiterated the need for a peaceful and orderly transition to begin “without delay.” British Prime Minister David Cameron called the events “despicable” and called for reforms to take place in Egypt immediately. He went on to warn: “If it turns out that the regime in any way has been sponsoring or tolerating this violence, that would be completely and utterly unacceptable.” Baroness Catherine Ashton, the E.U.’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, called on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to transition to elections as quickly as possible.
Internet service was restored earlier this morning at about 11:30 a.m. Egypt time. 3G, mobile web, and Blackberry services are also back up for some people.
Al Jazeera reports that protesters are struggling to get out of Tahrir because the army has blocked the exits. The pro-Mubarak protesters continue to attempt to attack the center of Tahrir Square, which it has failed to break into thus far. Chaos and clashes have spread from the square to the sides streets. Protesters are engaged in massive standoffs throwing a barrage of rocks at one another and they are using military vehicles and anything else they can find for cover. Anti-government protesters have been reported to be making citizen arrests and are handing over violent pro-Mubarak forces to the military officers. There are continued reports of gunfire, but it is unconfirmed who has been firing.
The Interior Ministry has denied the presence of plain clothes police officers in Tahrir Square. A representative of the Kifaya movement has reiterated their refusal to negotiate with the government until Hosni Mubarak steps down.
Update: Tear gas has been fired into Tahrir Square in an attempt to disperse the violence.
Update: Mohamed ElBaradei states that, “what is happening now is a crime against Egypt.” Egyptians have begun to attack protesters from the tops of buildings, throwing whatever they can find down into the square.
Update:Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times describes efforts by thugs as organized via Twitter, raising questions to whether the government is supporting their efforts to break up anti-government protests. Al Jazeera reporters are reporting via Twitter that these thugs are attacking them and attempting to break their camera equipment.
