26 January 2011
United States Urges Restraint in Egyptian Protests
Washington — The United States has urged Egyptian security forces and protesters to refrain from using violence, while offering support for basic freedoms, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said January 25.
“As we monitor the situation in Egypt, we urge all parties to refrain from using violence, and expect the Egyptian authorities to respond to any protests peacefully,” Gibbs said in a prepared statement. “We support the universal rights of the Egyptian people, including the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.”
The United States, Gibbs said, also wants to see reforms in Egypt that will lead to greater political and economic opportunity for all of its citizens.
Protests erupted in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and other cities across the country January 25, triggered by political discontent, corruption, poverty and government reductions in subsidies for food and other basic goods. The civil strife quickly turned to unrest directed toward the Egyptian government of President Hosni Mubarak, before being reined in by security police. According to published news reports, nationwide protests on a second day were subdued by police.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told reporters January 25 that Egypt, like many countries in the region, has been experiencing demonstrations, and the United States is monitoring current conditions closely.
“We support the fundamental right of expression and assembly for all people, and we urge that all parties exercise restraint and refrain from violence,” Clinton said. “But our assessment is that the Egyptian government is stable and is looking for ways to respond to the legitimate needs and interests of the Egyptian people.”
The White House said that the Egyptian government has an opportunity to respond to the people’s aspirations and pursue political, economic and social reforms that would improve the lives and livelihoods of every Egyptian.
“The United States is committed to working with Egypt and the Egyptian people to advance these goals,” Gibbs said.
“More broadly, what is happening in the region reminds us that, as the president said in Cairo [on June 4, 2009], we have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and free of corruption; and the freedom to live as you choose — these are human rights and we support them everywhere,” Gibbs’ statement said.
(This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://www.america.gov)
