WASHINGTON, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Following is the text of U.S. President Barack Obama's statement on the situation in Egypt on Friday evening.
"Good evening, everybody. My administration has been closely monitoring the situation in Egypt, and I know that we will be learning more tomorrow when day breaks. As the situation continues to unfold, our first concern is preventing injury or loss of life. So I want to be very clear in calling upon the Egyptian authorities to refrain from any violence against peaceful protesters.
"The people of Egypt have rights that are universal. That includes the right to peaceful assembly and association, the right to free speech and the ability to determine their own destiny. These are human rights and the United States will stand up for them everywhere.
"I also call upon the Egyptian government to reverse the actions that they've taken to interfere with access to the Internet, to cellphone service and to social networks that do so much to connect people in the 21st century.
"At the same time, those protesting in the streets have a responsibility to express themselves peacefully. Violence and destruction will not lead to the reforms they seek.
"Now going forward this moment of volatility has to be turned into a moment of promise. The United States has a close partnership with Egypt and we've cooperated on many issues including working together to advance a more peaceful region.
"But we've also been clear that there must be reform: political, social and economic reforms that meet the aspirations of the Egyptian people. In the absence of these reforms, grievances have built up over time.
"When President Mubarak addressed the Egyptian people tonight, he pledged a better democracy and greater economic opportunity. I just spoke to him after his speech and I told him he has a responsibility to give meaning to those words, to take concrete steps and actions that deliver on that promise. Violence will not address the grievances of the Egyptian people and suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away.
"What's needed now are concrete steps that advance the rights of the Egyptian people, a meaningful dialogue between the government and its citizens and a path of political change that leads to a future of greater freedom and greater opportunity and justice for the Egyptian people.
"Now ultimately the future of Egypt will be determined by the Egyptian people and I believe the Egyptian people want the same things that we all want, a better life for ourselves and our children and a government that is fair and just and responsive.
"Put simply, the Egyptian people want a future that befits the heirs to a great and ancient civilization. The United States always will be a partner in pursuit of that future and we are committed to working with the Egyptian government and the Egyptian people, all quarters, to achieve it.
"Around the world, governments have an obligation to respond to their citizens. That's true here in the Untied States, that's true in Asia, it is true in Europe, it's true in Africa, it's certainly true in the Arab world, where a new generation of citizens has the right to be heard.
"When I was in Cairo, shortly after I was elected president, I said that all governments must maintain power through consent, not coercion. That is the single standard by which the people of Egypt will achieve the future they deserves.
"Surely there will be difficult days to come but the United States will continue to stand up for the rights of the Egyptian people and work with their government in pursuit of a future that is more just, more free and more hopeful.
"Thank you very much."
MAC.TV is an independent network television broadcasting company that owns and operates the largest African broadcast television station group in the U.S. MAC.TV and Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency (ERTA) currently broadcasts to over 6 global satellites worldwide reach major cities in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. VISIT US ON THE WEB AT HTTP://WWW.MYAFRICACHANNEL.TV
Pages
Popular Posts
-
U.S. President Barack Obama celebrates his 50th birthday with a star-studded fundraiser in Chicago , featuring performers Jennifer Hudson ...
-
* NATO split on French, Turkish demands * U.S. wants to step back from leadership within days By David Brunnstrom BRUSSELS, March 22 (...
-
(Reuters) - HSBC will shed 30,000 jobs as it retreats from countries where it is struggling to compete, Europe's biggest bank said on ...
-
* Accord shifts debate toward spending cuts * Republicans risked backlash in event of shutdown * Obama scores points too for being willi...
-
* Nine companies owned, controlled by Gaddafi targeted * U.S. Treasury removes sanctions from a Libyan defector * Kerry, McCain want Sen...
-
* Residents in Misrata, Zintan say attacked * NATO meets to discuss assault's command structure * U.S. warplane crashes, crew rescue...
-
August 25, 2011: 11:30 A.M. By Williams Ekanem, (MACTV NEWS) As Hurricane Irene moves toward the East Coast of the United States, Feder...
-
Tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers pray in Jerusalem to mark Laylat al Qadr , the 27th night of Ramadan.
-
For more up to date News visit our website: http://www.myafricachannel.tv or follow us on tweeter @mactv_dc
-
Residents and office workers shaken as Washington , D.C. is rattled by magnitude 5.9 earthquake. SHOWS: WASHINGTON , D.C., UNITED STATE...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment