Here is the full video and transcript of President Barack Obama’s speech on Fri. Jan. 28, 2011 on the situation in Egypt. He delivered a statement on the protests in Egypt and urged the country’s leader, President Hosni Mubarak and his government to exercise restraint and to address the legitimate grievances of the nation’s people in light of days of street protests and violence.
The complete replay video and text along with news updates on Egypt are below after the jump.
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Transcript below. Scroll down for news updates.
Remarks by the President on the Situation in Egypt
State Dining Room
6:33 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: 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 protestors.
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 cell phone 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 that 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 right 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 that 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 United States; that’s true in Asia; it is true in Europe; it is true in Africa; and 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 deserve.
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.
Source: WhiteHouse.gov
Top Photo: President Barack Obama discusses the situation in Egypt with Vice President Joe Biden and the national security team during the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office, Jan. 28, 2011. Photo credit: Official White House photo by Pete Souza
For more on the crisis in Egypt today, see also:
- Live blog 28/1 – Egypt’s protests erupt (Al Jazeera)
- Egypt protests: Live Stream Video
- Five Things to Understand About the Egyptian Riots
- Obama Asks Mubarak to Refrain From Violence ….U.S. Threatens to Cut Off Aid to Egypt
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President Obama Egypt Speech Video, Transcript Jan. 28, 2011: Statement on Protests in Egypt
It’s time to be clear and sincere, the U.S. government must take a clear position: it is with the Arab people or cons? It’s now or never for reconciliation with the Arab peoples. The U.S. government must be clear with the Egyptian people and not straddling the support of the power of the people and Mobarak. It’s time to be clear and not mincing words, either with or against! Sooner or later, the Egyptian people will take up his rights and the government knows very well, so we must stop supporting Mobarak. As Mobarak is in power, the revolt will only be amplified and aggressive. Mobarak should do what makes Ben Ali. The U.S. govern claims of democracy so it must once prove it. I do not help the Egyptian people, since it does not expect help from outside house must be clear and without cowardice: “Does the U.S. government support Mobarak or he is with the people’s cause Mobarak Egyptian who asked to leave the power and wait for his trial. ” It’s time to be clear and redeem themselves before the Arab peoples. If not the USA government, have only contempt and resentment of the Arabs. There are also many American citizens who are not with the opinion of the USA government. What happened in Tunisia and Egypt can also happen if the U.S. government does not see clear and true democracy to prevail. The U.S. government should take the example of Bill Gates who fight against the disparity of wealth between the rich and the poor, donating much of his fortune. You can not steal the people’s revolution in Egypt. It should be ashamed, as he said Zigler, the Earth can feed 12 billion people, so with our 6 billion of thousands die of hunger, thirst and disease every day. Finally, if the U.S. government wants a better world it must opt for a world where sustainable development is the choice. The frantic race to armaments, space and futuristic science is not the solution, the world’s people want a decent life that are secure and equitable sharing of the rich earth. This race is only beneficial for those who hold power in the world and the Mafia. So I think it’s time that leaders of the USA opted for a genuine democracy for the people including the American people. This did not need false instilled in the memories of people (car upscale, high-end PCs, high-end tip, …) that will bring happiness to peoples lives, but a simple, fair, where justice reigns. With the stubbornness and blindness of world leaders, they lead to chaos, the natural imbalances, civil wars and anarchy and the losers will be them. We must abandon this life hungry for power and wealth foolish to opt for a simple life based on need and be close to people because sooner or later people will force you to undergo the humiliation and shame. Nothing beats a simple life where morality and conscience prevails. I wonder is what the leaders of the world raises the question: “Do they really need all the properties and powers which pile to live a happy life, a joyful and peaceful lives and this course on on behalf of other people in the world? . There are many examples in human history that show that it is not necessary to have false needs to have a happy life without fear and secure. So it’s time to choose what is good for the world’s future and stand with the people of the world as it is the only way (everyone knows). Early or too late, people gather out their rights, because the injustice of current world leaders is now clear to everyone.