Amanpour interviews Mr. Elbaradei.
AMANPOUR: You think the army will turn on the people, if they get the order?
ELBARADEI: I don’t think it would ever turn on the people. I think the army is very much on the people’s side, and the army is put in then impossible situation. I mean, normally, what should happen is that the police should be in the city to protect people and infrastructure. Somebody gives the order to the police to disband. And then what you have right now is thugs. You know, thugs are looting. And, you know — and it’s — it’s — it’s a horrible situation right now.
AMANPOUR: How do you assess the reaction of the U.S. administration?
ELBARADEI: Well, I think it’s — it’s — it — it came here like — like lead. You know, people expected the U.S. to be on the side of the people, you know, who are — legitimate needs for democracy, social justice, it’s — and to let go of a dictator, you know?
AMANPOUR: But now President Obama is saying that the rights of the people need to be protected and reforms need to happen.
ELBARADEI: Sure. But, Christiane, he’s also saying, I look to the government, you know, i.e., Mubarak, you know, to implement democracy. I mean, to ask a dictator to implement democratic measure after 30 years in power is an oxymoron. So they need to let go of Mubarak. They need to side with the people. They need to go for, you know, transition, smooth transition, through a government of national salvation. This is only way out.
AMANPOUR: As you know, the administration is very concerned that if Mubarak goes, the inevitable replacement is the Muslim Brotherhood or some kind of Islamic fundamentalism.
ELBARADEI: This is total bogus that the (ph) Muslim Brotherhood are religiously conservative. They are no way extremists. They are no way using violence. They are not a majority of the Egyptian people. They will not be more than maybe 20 percent of the Egyptian people. You have to include them like, you know, new evangelical, you know, groups in the U.S., like the orthodox Jews in Jerusalem.
I mean, that is — you — they are not. This is — this is what the regime used to — sold to the — to the West and to the U.S. “It’s either us, repression, or — or — or Al Qaida-type Islamists.” That is — that’s not — this is not Egypt.
AMANPOUR: Are the Islamists behind this uprising?
ELBARADEI: Not at all. I mean, what — what you saw is the young people. I mean, it’s all 30 and below. It is organized plan, implemented by people who are 30 and below who are — absolutely have no ideology other than they want to see future hope, a respect for their dignity, and — and basic needs.
everything is good., but be careful here..
ELBARADEI: This is total bogus that the (ph) Muslim Brotherhood are religiously conservative. They are no way extremists. They are no way using violence. They are not a majority of the Egyptian people. They will not be more than maybe 20 percent of the Egyptian people. You have to include them like, you know, new evangelical, you know, groups in the U.S., like the orthodox Jews in Jerusalem.
20% of Egyptians people means 20 million people., That too organized by right wing religious views., so don't neglect them my man., off course pull them in to elections and educate them without falling into a trap they way Iran went in 70s..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fvy5UWi_iJs
Topic: Egypt protests: Three reported dead in 'day of revolt'