Hillary Clinton on the Crisis in Cairo: 'We Want to See Reforms'
Jan. 30, 2011— -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said today the Obama administration is trying to send a clear message to the Egyptian government as tens of thousands of demonstrators have flooded the streets of Cairo demanding change: "We want to see reforms."
Clinton and Egyptian Ambassador to the United States Sameh Shoukry spoke to "This Week" anchor Christiane Amanpour today in exclusive interviews about the crisis in Cairo.
Speaking with Amanpour, who is currently in Cairo, via satellite, Clinton said the Obama administration is closely watching the actions of the Egyptian military, and that there are no immediate plans to cut off aid to the country.
"We are monitoring Egypt's military. They are demonstrating restraint, trying to differentiate between peaceful protestors -- who we support -- and potential looters and other criminal elements who are a danger to the Egyptian people," Clinton said.
"There is no discussion of cutting off aid … We are trying to convey a message that is clear -- no violence, no provocation that results in violence, and that we want to see these reforms so that the people of Egypt can see their legitimate grievances addressed," she added.
For Complete Coverage of the Crisis in Egypt, Featuring Exclusive Reporting From Christiane Amanpour, Click Here
On the topic of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak's appointment of intelligence chief Omar Suleiman as his first vice president, Clinton said that this has been on a list of reforms the administration wanted to see in Egypt for some time. She told Amanpour that it is the first of several concrete steps necessary for the country to achieve democratic reform.
Clinton went on to reiterate the administration's stance that democracy, human rights and economic reform will be in the best interest of the country's people.
"I'm hoping that the government will be able to maintain a peaceful relationship with peaceful protesters," she said. "We can see a national dialogue begin, where the government of Egypt must take concrete steps for democratic and economic reform. That is the best way to navigate through this."
