Since it’s way historic and all, I thought I’d put something here about the news that’s been breaking in recent minutes (you’d have seen it earlier if you followed me on Twitter), so y’all can talk about it even though I don’t have time to say much right now:
Military says Mubarak will meet protesters demands
By MAGGIE MICHAEL
Associated PressCAIRO (AP) — President Hosni Mubarak will meet the demands of protesters, military and ruling party officials said Thursday in the strongest indication yet that Egypt’s longtime president may be about to give up power and that the armed forces were seizing control.
Gen. Hassan al-Roueini, military commander for the Cairo area, told thousands of protesters in central Tahrir Square, “All your demands will be met today.” Some in the crowd held up their hands in V-for-victory signs, shouting “Allahu akbar,” or “God is great,” a victory cry used by secular and religious people alike.
The military’s supreme council was meeting Thursday, without the commander in chief Mubarak, and announced on state TV its “support of the legitimate demands of the people.” A spokesman read a statement that the council was in permanent session “to explore “what measures and arrangements could be made to safeguard the nation, its achievements and the ambitions of its great people.”
The statement was labelled “communique number 1,” a phrasing that suggests a military coup…
OK, the military coup part may give us pause — more about that later when we know more — but what a heady moment for all those folks who’ve taken to the streets.
How about that quote?
“All your demands will be met today.”
Reminds me of Pedro’s extreme, over-the-top, meant-to-be-seen-as-ridiculously-hyperbolic campaign pledge (which was
recommended to him by campaign consultant Napoleon Dynamite): “Vote for me, and all your wildest dreams will come true.”
Perhaps the general is overselling as well — and again, it remains to be seen how the people would feel about a junta (you might say that, like Pedro, the military is offering Egypt its “protection” — but if Mubarak is stepping down, that’s something Egyptians had hardly dared dream a month ago.
So, wow. This is quite a moment.
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If the Egyptian people believe this, I have a great deal on a bridge just for them. Mubarak may go, but I have trouble believing military rule is better. This may just be a ploy to get them off of the streets, and get the cameras off the situation for awhile.
Well, this is the moment where we find out whether providing the Egyptian military with billions of dollars of equipment and training is going to pay a side benefit.
It is possible for the military to stage a coup and create the groundwork for free and fair democratic elections. It just doesn’t happen too often in the world.
The Egyptian military doesn’t seem to mind having one of their own in charge, but is itself historically reluctant to govern.
It’s entirely possible they will maintain order until a civilian government is in place. The Egyptians are good people; I sincerely hope this is what happens.