Egypt’s official opposition parties agree to negotiate with the regime

Thursday, 3 February 2011

Egypt’s official opposition parties agree to negotiate with the regime

By Aadel M Al-Mahdy

Egypt’s official opposition parties agree to negotiate

with the regime

Egypt’s official opposition parties said on Wednesday that they are ready to negotiate with the regime following Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s Tuesday announcement that he will ask the parliament to amend two articles of the Constitution.

BLOGGER: But change them to what...worse, less worse,

or...can you specify a little bit at least? I do not buy this bullshit. I do not like ambiguity. under the circumstance, things have to clear up front.

The three official opposition parties which include the liberal Wafd, the leftist Tagammu and the nationalist Nasserist parties warned against forcefully cracking down on thousands of anti-Mubarak protesters who clashed on Wednesday with pro-Mubarak protesters in Tahrir Square.

BLOGGER: Negotiations are the best way to go,

but in the meantime, those who speak on behalf of the nation have to be careful because negotiations slopes are very slippery, and they could end up selling the country.

"We have decided to enter in a dialogue and to respond to the invitation extended by Vice President Omar Suleiman... in order to maintain the safety, security and stability of the nation and the people," read the joint three-party statement. Historically, the parties have had an ambivalent relationship--that often vacillated between dissent and collaboration--with the regime.

BLOGGER: "Historically, the parties have had an ambivalent relationship".

That is what scares me. And this time, taking into consideration the gravity of the situation, any mistake or faulty compromise will be suffered only by the demonstrators who have already suffered enough over three decades.

“We are not replacing the right to protest with dialogue with the regime. We assert that our youth in Tahrir Square are the security’s responsibility and we warn the ruling National Democratic Party against irresponsible acts and its dishonorable past using national resources to hurt the protesters,” said Sameh Ashour, deputy president of the Nasserist Party in a press conference.

BLOGGER: I smell weakness. You have already forfeited what you previously demanded which is the ouster of the dictator, Hosni Mubarak. He should go first and then you can negotiate with whoever transitionally replace him.

“The safety of the youth in Tahrir Square is our responsibility and we will withdraw from negotiations if they are harmed,” said Sayyed al-Badawy, Wafd president.

BLOGGER: Well, this sound better. And I hope you mean it. But wait a moment. Do you think people will just keep being peaceful and patient during negotiations that will go back and forth for how long God knows. And if it fasils, will it be possible that people will gather together again in such massive numbers? I doubt that. Should you not hit on the iron while it is still hot?

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