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US Steps up Calls for Transition in Egypt

   VOA News  January 30, 2011
   US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (file photo)

Photo: AP

   US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (file photo)

   The  United  States  is  stepping  up  calls for change in Egypt after
   nearly  a week of massive demonstrations, chaos and violence engulfing
   one of Americaâs closest allies in the Arab world.
   For  days,  U.S.  officials  have  reiterated  Americaâs long-standing
   policy  of  encouraging political reform in Egypt.  Appearing on U.S.
   television,  Secretary  of  State  Hillary Clinton did so again in the
   most direct terms so far.
   "We want to see a transition to democracy. And we want to see the kind
   of steps taken that will bring that about."
   Clinton spoke on Fox News Sunday.
   The  secretary  of state did not call for the resignation of President
   Hosni  Mubarak, but appeared to suggest that Egyptâs current political
   and economic structure is untenable.
   "Real   stability   rests   in   democracy,   participation,  economic
   opportunity.  How  we  get  from  where  we  are  to where we know the
   Egyptian  people  want  to be and deserve to be, is what this is about
   now."
   While  stepping  up calls for change, Secretary Clinton warned against
   anarchy and radicalism.
   "I  do  not  think  anyone wants to see instability, chaos, increasing
   violence.   We  also do not want to see some takeover that would lead
   not  to democracy, but to oppression and the end to the aspirations of
   the Egyptian people."
   Meanwhile,   Egyptâs   ambassador   to   Washington,   Sameh  Shoukry,
   acknowledged  his country is, in his words, "going through a difficult
   time."Â   But  speaking  on ABCâs This Week program, he stressed Egypt
   was already on a path to reform before protests began.
   "Freedom  of  expression  has been guaranteed.  Egypt has been on the
   road  of  economic, political, democratic reform for the last 20 years
   or more, and it has achieved great strides in that regard."
   The  United  States  is  urging its citizens to leave the country, and
   many  nations  are  recommending against travel to Egypt, amid growing
   lawlessness in the country.
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References

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