Monday, February 7, 2011

Clinton calls for free elections in Egypt

Access to oil, political influence, loyal allies: The United States stands with the upheavals in the Middle East a lot at stake. Secretary Clinton appeared at the Munich Security Conference, deeply concerned, as demonstrated in front of the doors of several thousand people. Munich - At the protests against the 47th Munich security conference have gone on Saturday, several thousand anti-war to the streets.


Two people were arrested because they illegally carrying a pepper spray and a knife with him, like a police spokeswoman said. In a third case, there had been an insult. The activists were arrested when they were on their way to the demonstration. The kick-off rally and the march itself was "completely run trouble-free." According to the organizers, some 6,000 demonstrators took part in a protest march.

The police said, however, of 2200 participants. Among the protesters, the police said were about 400 autonomous. Behind the doors of the conference mainly an issue at the center: the deep political upheaval throughout the Middle East. Hillary Clinton, as well as Chancellor Angela Merkel hope, therefore, on an orderly and exemplary power in Egypt.

Between them there was agreement that no one has the right to make the Egyptians on the road to democracy rules. What matters, a power vacuum and chaos in the most populous country to avoid the Arab world. "The whole region is rocked by a perfect storm of powerful trends," Clinton said on Saturday.

"The status quo is impossible to maintain." She warned at the same time, the transition to democracy there was risk. The process could extend chaotic, he could "cause temporary instability." "The change may also lead to a relapse of a new authoritarian regime." "Listening to the people who express their opinion for the first time," Merkel refused to interfere in the succession debate as to President Hosni Mubarak.

She did - as well as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and British Prime Minister David Cameron - clear that the Egyptian people alone must decide it. "The very quick election as the beginning of a democratization process, I think is wrong," said the Chancellor. "I can only advise us urgently to hear a little too far to the people who can first express their opinion." According to Lavrov, the most influential political groups set up to advise on ways.

Mubarak ruled for nearly 30 years of authoritarian power, abundance, and virtually without opposition. Clinton called for free elections, supervised by international observers. You also said: "Elections are not enough." go hand in hand would have to have good governance, an independent judiciary, a free press and strong political parties.

The permanent EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy secured to the democracy movement in Egypt any backing in Europe. Merkel made it clear with regard to authoritarian regimes that foreign policy must always be guided by human rights. It noted also however that the western model of democracy not one could be exported to one in every world region.

Cameron called for a resolute action against alleged Islamist tendencies in the European Union. "We will not defeat terrorism, as we operate only outside our borders," he said. "Europe needs to wake up and realize what's happening in our own countries." On the edge of a prominent step in the history of nuclear disarmament has been completed: Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Clinton exchanged the instruments of ratification of the START agreement.

This became effective, that hundreds extensive nuclear weapons in the coming years will be retired. It is the most important agreement on nuclear disarmament between the U.S. and Russia in two decades. Russia sees no need to tighten sanctions against Iran. Lavrov said that he considered the instrument of sanctions for being exhausted.

"We need to develop a very clear plan, a step-by-step plan see. I have no other way to act as and to negotiate." Merkel on Tuesday had only brought her visit to Israel tougher sanctions into play. Also in view of the developments in Egypt and Tunisia met on Saturday the Middle East quartet of the United States, Russia, European Union and United Nations.

It would give new impetus to the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. Until Sunday talk 350 high-ranking guests from politics, economy and military on issues of international security.

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