"We Want What You Have": Christiane Amanpour Reports On The Optimistic Atmosphere In Central Cairo

[Turborama]

Run time: 08:52 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2NxgOVQhA   Posted on YouTube: February 01, 2011 By YouTube Member: ABCNews Views on YouTube: 185   Posted on DU: February 01, 2011 By DU Member: Turborama Views on DU: 780

 

We Want What You Have: We Want our Freedom

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK
BY CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR
CAIRO, Jan. 31, 2011

Up until today I've been struggling with whether this is going to go the way of the revolution in Iran in 1979, when millions of people came out on the street and overthrew the Shah -- or protests we all saw in Iran in 2009 when the so called "green revolution" was quickly put down.

But today something happened that I think was very significant.

The Egyptian army went on state television and read a statement in which they said they accepted people's right to peacefully express themselves and that the army would never use force against the Egyptian people.

So the one question that everyone has been asking since the beginning, "What will happen if the army is given the order to fire?" was answered. They will not fire on the people.

Full Piece: http://abcnews.go.com/International/abc-news-christiane-amanpour-reports-protestors-fight-freedom/story?id=12806642

Great reporting, it's a shame she seems to have forgotten what happened in Indonesia in 1998 before she came to this revelation, though. For my take, check out this OP, if you haven't already: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x290024">Instead of: "It's going to be like Iran in '79!" How about, "It could be like Indonesia after 1998"?

[aquart]

1. Iran has oil. Egypt not so much.

No government that comes in is going to be able to provide the jobs so many educated people want and need. Foreign aid will be needed. America is tainted. So whose money will Egypt take? And at what price?

It's way too early to make a call on Egypt's future. But any sustained destruction and looting will inhibit the corporate exploitation they're going to need.

My biggest concern right now is that Mubarak, having lost the army, is planning to starve the protesters out. ATMs aren't working, trains aren't working. Goods aren't moving and neither is the money to pay for them. Basic bread is skyrocketing. He doesn't have to shoot anyone.

If I were Israel, I'd start trucking in produce and flour.

[Turborama]

2. What an amazing twist that would be

If they did that it would create a paradigm shift in the ME like has never been seen before.

[Turborama]

3. Unfortunately, it seems like they have sent crowd dispersal equipment instead

More details: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=324171&mesg_id=325336

[patrick t. cakes]

4. at the 7:02 mark, the tale is told.

[Turborama]

5. Yes, it takes a while to get to it, I should have made a comment like that in the OP

Thanks for pointing it out.

:hi:

[patrick t. cakes]

8. no problem

and thank you, too!

:fistbump:

[sabrina 1]

6. One sign I saw among the protesters:

"We don't hate you for your freedoms, we hate that you hate our freedom."

[sabrina 1]

7. So many women among the protesters.

Looking at the different way they are all dressed, some in traditional clothes, others in western clothes, some in Burqas, is a testament to how united those people are in gaining their freedom.

I hope the question 'where are the women' has been answered. Those women are some fierce freedom fighters no matter what their personal religious beliefs are. It really is wonderful to see ~