[Peace-discuss] Hillary Could Do More to Stay Pharaoh's Hand

[Robert Naiman]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/hillary-could-do-more-to-_b_815216.html

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/1/27/23850/0881

It's just before 7AM in Cairo. Within hours, protesters across Egypt
from all walks of life will be chanting, "Down with Mubarak."

What will happen to them?

When Secretary Clinton asked the Egyptian government not to crack down
on protests and not to disrupt social networking sites, no possible
consequence was suggested if Egypt didn't comply.

When the U.S. really wants something, it suggests consequences, as
many examples suggest, even from the last week.

Now we see the result. AP reports that in Egypt, the internet is down,
and a "counter-terror" force has taken up position in "strategic
locations," including Tahrir Square, site of the biggest
demonstrations this week.

It's not too late for the U.S. to act. The U.S. must say that there
will be consequences if the U.S.-backed, U.S.-armed Egyptian
government proceeds with the crackdown.

--
Robert Naiman
Policy Director
Just Foreign Policy
www.justforeignpolicy.org
naiman at justforeignpolicy.org