Opposition figure ElBaradei slams Egypt talks

[Emit]

Opposition figure ElBaradei slams Egypt talks


Doina Chiacu
Reuters US Online Report Politics News

Feb 06, 2011 11:23 EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Egyptian opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei slammed fledgling negotiations on Egypt's future on Sunday and said he was not invited to the talks.

The Nobel Peace laureate said weekend talks with Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman were managed by the same people who had ruled the country for 30 years and lack credibility. He said the negotiations were not a step toward the change protesters have demanded in 12 days of demonstrations calling for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.

"The process is opaque. Nobody knows who is talking to whom at this stage," ElBaradei, the former head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

~snip~

"It's managed by Vice President Suleiman," ElBaradei said. "It is all managed by the military and that is part of the problem."

ElBaradei said he has not been part of the negotiations. "I have not been invited to take part in the negotiations or dialogue but I've been following what is going on," he said." However, a representative of ElBaradei's group, National Association for Change, met with Suleiman on Sunday and described the talks as a positive first step.

~snip~

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2011/02/opposition_figure_elbaradei_slams_egypt_talks.php

[Pirate Smile]

1. This is not about ElBaradei.

[Tempest]

2. It appears it's not about the Egyptian people either

Leaving him out of the talks proves that.

[Mudoria]

3. Haven't seen the Egyptian people screaming for him to take over...

[EFerrari]

7. He has expressed no desire to "take over". n/t

[Tempest]

9. The Egyptian people haven't called for anyone specific to take over

They just don't want it to be Mubarak or anyone associated with him.

ElBaradei represents the Egyptian people more than the current regime.

[dkf]

4. What does he have to do with the Egyptian people other than being one of them?

He is awfully presumptuous. That teacher who helped organize this has more right to be there imo.

[hulka38]

8. Is that teacher part of the talks?

ElBaradei is recognized as one of the leaders of this movement. He should be one of the major players involved in the talks. This is another indication that this so-ccalled transition is really a sham to maintain power.

[Tempest]

10. He is the representative of a portion of the Egyptian people

Leaving him out ignores that portion of Egyptian people.

It would be like not allowing a third party in our elections.

The teacher should be there as well if he wants to be.

[tekisui]

5. You missed the point. It is not about Vice President Omar Suleiman.

He deserves no leadership role in this transition. Neither does Mubarak. That is the point ElBaradei is making.

[EFerrari]

6. ElBaradei is right on the money.

And yes, it is about him as an Egyptian citizen.